Photographer Gordon Scammell shoots covert portraits in coffee shops and captures people as they sit to relax..
I sold my first photograph when I was 12, and still get the same buzz when I sell an image 58 years later. I worked as a drama/theatre teacher for many years and before that worked in professional theatre. No matter what job I have had, I have always had a camera near at hand. I mainly photograph for the stock market now but due to my life-long involvement with theatre and the performing arts I am passionate about photographing any genre of performance work.
I suppose I can class myself as ‘semi-retired’ although I regularly photograph the touring theatre companies for Trebah Garden Amphitheatre in Cornwall. Photographing in an amphitheatre during a live performance has proved to be challenging but immensely enjoyable.
My urge to photograph what I see has always been an obsession. Can’t explain why, it is simply something I feel the need to do.