Conversations...with Unit Stills Photographer, Gareth Gatrell
At 16 years old, a friend introduced me to her new boyfriend. He was handsome, funny, with infectious positive energy. We had a lot in common and I found him a joy to be around. I didn't see him much after we all left school, as everyone began their lives, and I moved to London quite young.
Around 7 years ago we bumped into each other at a friend's party and reignited our friendship over his mum's delicious banana bread (He is seriously the only person I know who would bring banana bread to a party). He told me he was a photographer, wanting to move more into TV and Film and stills photography, which he has done.
He is a fine example of someone who has got his head down, worked hard and climbed the ladder. Now, in 2020, he's one of the best in the business and has worked on top shows such as Victoria, Killing Eve and the new Red Dwarf. Here is my friend, Gareth Gatrell.
Lindsey Bowden (LB)
Hey G, Thanks for sitting down and having a chat, it's good to see you.
Gareth Gatrell (GG)
Of course darling, always, anything for you bambino.
LB
Thanks man. So, for anyone who isn't sure, can you explain what a Unit Stills Photographer is?
GG
Yes, a Unit Stills Photographer is somebody who graces a TV or Film set and provides imagery for the publications and publicity to promote and sell the project we are working on. So that could be anything from shooting front covers for magazines, behind the scenes photography to show how the budget is spent, or it could be poster work which would be used for billboards and cinema releases.
LB
Was photography in Film and TV always the main goal for you?
GG
No, it was a case of enjoying photography at college, to begin with. This sort of job was not really known to the people outside of the industry until digital photography came along, although it had been going on for many, many years before that. I guess really, I just started snapping away at anything to start the journey.
LB
Yep, finding out what kind of photographer you were. So how did you make the move into TV and Film?
GG
Well, going back to my college years, I was the class clown as you know.
LB
I do!
GG
Well as you know, I didn't really have an interest in school, apart from football which I loved. I've always been quite creative but was never an artist or photographer at school as it wasn't really available to me then. But when I went to college, I decided to do photography and art as I thought it would be easy, whilst indulging my creativity! Luckily, I had a lecturer who believed in me and allowed me to be me. His name was Anthony Jankowski.
LB
That's a great name.
GG
It is a great name! He was very patient, quite young, but solid, and accepted my class clown personality and allowed me to be more practical. I didn't study as hard as I should have done, but I also felt that photography isn't something to be creatively taught, you need to just do it. But I did go on to University, as it was free back then, still with no clear idea what field I wanted to do. They didn't do photography, so I did three dimensional studies, which wasn't for me. So, at that point I decided to go and live in Gran Canaria for 6 months with my girlfriend at the time, our mutual friend Clare Evers.
LB
Yes, I remember that! Shout out to Clare Evers. One thing I just want to touch on that you said there, was how your lecturer allowed and encouraged you to be yourself, which is so important as a creative. There's no point trying to make us into something we're not!
GG
Yep I completely agree. Sometimes society wants to sculpt us into a certain way but it's important to be true to yourself. Every year I go back to my college and give my time as a thank you to Anthony who allowed me to grow and be myself.
LB
That's wonderful. It's important to pay it back as it were. I did the same thing actually a few years ago, and went back to my first stage school and taught for free. For me, it was also giving back to the city who paid for my drama school training in the first place. It's these places that built your character which is the foundation of you and your career.
GG
Totally. Without Anthony and his calm leadership I wouldn't be where I am today, and although neither of us are yet where we aspire to be, it's ok, as me doing my job and you doing yours, and also doing these blogs and every other creative thing we do, is all part of the journey.
LB
100% agree, you have to stay productive. What I love about this industry, and this is probably true of a lot of industries, is that you never stop learning. This industry moves so quickly that you have to keep up, and there are always lessons to be learned.
GG
Yes, and we've all got to start somewhere. You've got to get out of the door and start walking. Be open and aware to little opportunities that present themselves to you.
LB
Yep, I'm a big believer in that. So, with our jobs in the arts, there are periods of time where we're looking for the next job, but still have to earn a living. I've worked in a chocolate factory, been a London tour guide, and worked as a Victorian wench at the London Dungeon. What other jobs have you done in between photographising?
GG
Is that a word?
LB
It is not a word.
GG
I like it though. Now I'm picturing you in some London dungeon tied up or whipping people.
LB
Not that kind of dungeon.
GG
Oh.
LB
But I've done that too.
GG
(laughs). Well, I joined the Navy as a clearance diver, I sold cars, I sold commercial land into the millions, I scuba-dived around the world but I then landed the TV job that I thought would change everything and allow me to step forward into the high market, and that was Victoria. I badgered the hell out of the Picture Editor, Pat Smith, for that job, he's a legendary geezer. I phoned him up one day and he said, "You're a persistent git, but I like that" and offered me Victoria. I did Season 1 which filmed in Leeds and I thought that would lead to bigger things, and then it didn't, everythi