A photographer who has shot the likes of Snow Patrol, Ian Brown and Graham Coxon has set up a studio in York to offer the same service to local bands
Born and bred in Hull, photographer Ami Barwell started shooting the local music scene around York, Leeds and her home city in 1998. Within a few months she was approached by Snow Patrol and invited to become their tour photographer.
“I spent time living in New York before settling in London for five years,” Ami said. “I made the leap back up North last year – and now call York home!”
She has scores of memorable moments, including the first time she photographed Ian Brown, for an American magazine cover shoot about eight years ago.
“We got on really well instantly and the whole shoot was more like two friends spending a few hours together than a photo shoot, and I got amazing shots as a result,” she said. “He often pops round for a cuppa!
“I was a huge Blur fan when I was a teenager, so photographing guitarist Graham Coxon was pretty nerve-racking. I get nervous before most shoots, but that’s a good thing for me, as it makes me really determined and passionate.
“I used a photo of him on my business cards and a couple of years later bumped into Graham and gave him my card. He said he loved the shot — so much so that he moved the photo in his wallet of his children and put this in its place!”
Ami’s favourite bands include Sly & The Family Stone, The Band, Neil Young, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Radiohead, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder and The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster.
She was also Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s official photographer for five year – and ended up “spending the night in jail in Canada after directing a music video for them!”
Now Ami has set up a studio at MOR Music in Fossgate, York, until the end of May to offer her photographic services to local bands. To find out more, go to Ami’s website, check out her Facebook page or follow her on Twitter.
In the meantime, enjoy this gallery of Ami’s images.
