We’re sure we’ve a higher than average number of great photographers in Birmingham. In fact, we’ve interviewed a handful in these pages. Perhaps it’s the city’s photogenic nature that whets the creative appetite. Whatever it is, we’ve another cracker of a snapper for you. Meet Gary Lindsay-Moore

Gary Lindsay-Moore has been going about his craft for 35 years starting long before the rise of Photoshop or the smart phone and still maintains traditional methods are best. Although Gary has photographed Birmingham over the years publishing six books featuring the city’s urban landscape, portraiture is what gets him going.

We don’t mean white background in a soulless studio sort of portraiture, but proper creative shots that reflect the subject’s personality and vibe. Gary spends time getting to know clients and goes the extra mile literally in some cases. Take the merman image (see page XX). This entailed hand making the tail that incorporated a fin piece that lit up and a six-hour round trip to a beach in Somerset to get the perfect shot.

PRESSURE

Of the pressure men are currently under thanks to the chiselled jaws and wash board stomachs in the media, Gary says: “There’s so much studio photography of men that’s hard, black and white, muscular. Not every guy is an Insta muscle toned man.” He adds: “I’m 60 this year. I’ve a dad bod, a belly, wrinkles, scars. I want my photographs to reflect real beauty.”

Inspired by the cheeky sexiness of the 1920s trend for the female ‘boudoir’ where women would pose for photographs to be sent to their other halves, Gary has launched a service called the Dudeoir Experience – do you see what he did there? Dudeoir feels like the antidote to the pressures of social media. It’s inclusive, creative, fun – a place where anything goes. Gary says: “I know from first-hand experience what it is like to be trolled on social media and called ‘fat and ugly’ by a total stranger, it can really erode your confidence.” He adds: “As an actor and mature model I have experienced what it is like on both sides of the camera. I want to break down barriers and give something that is completely individual to the client.”

TYPECAST

Gary has worked with terminally ill clients and their families capturing treasured shots. He has also donated his services free of charge to a local hospice. Gary also loves event photography, but you can bet your bottom dollar it’s not your average set of shots. He somehow discreetly gets right in the thick of it capturing the moments that matter. “You need to have your antenna out at events ready to spot people reacting.”

Film stills photography is something he loves too, but it’s particularly tricky. Gary explains: “You need to know what’s going on all the time. You have to stay out of the way, but be ready to jump in when appropriate. I love the process of watching a film being made. The amount of people involved in 30 seconds of filming is incredible.” Gary is also an extra currently playing a prisoner in BBC drama Doctors. “I’m a bit typecast and generally either play a convict or a security guard!” Keep your eyes peeled.

Gary’s motivation is to be ‘creatively satisfied’ rather to make a wad of cash, so the results are infinitely more atmospheric and pleasing than pursuing the big bucks. He sums up his approach when he says: “To not be thrilled would feel like something was missing.”