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We managed to catch up with busy UK-based events photographer Malcolm Park for our News, Sport and Entertainment Spotlight this month.

Since first contributing his images to 17�Թ����� over twenty years ago in 2004, Malcolm has built up an extensive collection of over 102,000 images to date.

With so much knowledge in the news sector, we wanted to pick Malcolm’s brains to find out how he ended up shooting UK events, why he gravitates towards events within the art world and the advice he would give to any budding photojournalists.��

LG: What made you want to become a news photographer over other photography areas?

MP: My background for 37 years was in graphic design, much of it involving the art direction of studio photography for 25 years. I also carried around a film camera in the 1970s, as I was often involved in creating visual audits at the early stages of major design projects.

From London I travelled to the Sultanate of Oman over a period of two years, as part of a team redesigning infrastructure signing systems from London studios. I would take out around 30 rolls of film each trip to document the region for the project, similar to a visual audit of Dubai International Airport I carried out in the late ’70s to the early ’80s.

When I “retired” myself from the design business in 2010 I already had a photography website up and running which showcased my shoots from ad hoc news events. Upon joining the (NUJ) I decided that location photography, for a change, was preferable to studio photography and the London press work grew quite rapidly from that point. Being London based helped, as there are so many varied press events taking place continually and all reasonably accessible.

LG: Looking through your collection it appears that you’re drawn to shooting in art galleries and at more creative events, would you say this is true and if so why?

MP: Again, my background in art and design (I’m a design graduate from Glasgow School of Art) draws me to photographing the truly astonishing variety of works constantly on display in London’s galleries and major auction houses, and I’ve also worked at many performing arts and dance photocalls. Drummed into all students at Glasgow School of Art was the history of art through the standard textbook , so I guess the visual arts are a natural fit.

LG: What is the most memorable photo you have taken? Can you tell us why you’ve chosen this one and the story behind it?

MP: I’ve photographed every year (except for the Covid interruption) since 2013. In 2019 I took a shot from an accredieted press position with a telephoto lens of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex arriving in Horse Guards Parade ground by open carriage. Unknown to me at the time the Duchess of Sussex was wearing a ring which proved controversial in the tabloids and in society mags. The shot appeared in many multiples of uses with some picture editors cropping the image so tightly that only a ring on a finger were visible in frame! This image became my biggest tabloid success.

LG: How do you know which events to photograph and get accreditation for?

MP: I’ve tended to have a list of photocalls prepared at the beginning of each week, subject to change, as some events may only give 3 days notice of an impending shoot. It’s easier after 15 years of chasing photocalls as a number of the larger shoots come around at the same time every year, so they are put in the diary well in advance. As a freelance press photographer one has to do the accreditation research for certain events over a month in advance, 17�Թ����� have of course helped out regularly.

LG: Why did you choose 17�Թ����� to supply your images to?

MP: My initial, non-news, submissions to 17�Թ����� started in 2003. I’ve submitted (and subsequently removed most) collections of work with other agencies in the past. 17�Թ����� provides the best usage fees and easily the most efficient payment system I’ve experienced, so I now only supply exclusively.

LG: Any advice for fellow photographers who would like to work within the news sector?

MP: My advice to freelance photographers wishing to work within the very competitive news sector would be to get a good quality set of waterproofs and walking shoes (I’ve twice been soaked to the skin while wearing waterproofs at locked-down venues behind security cordons). Work long hours, and you should eventually succeed. I won’t give advice on what you should be shooting, you will know better than me what interests you. And good luck!

If you’ve enjoyed this introduction to Malcolm’s work and want to see more, you can find his full collection on 17�Թ����� here. You can also check out his website, which he updates daily, .��

As always, check back next month for another installment of our News, Sports and Entertainment Spotlight, and if you’re a photojournalist but not yet signed up to supply us with news content, what are you waiting for? Find out how to submit news here!��