WANSTEAD: Photographers recording a year of life in Wanstead (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

WANSTEAD: Photographers recording a year of life in Wanstead

9:56am Wednesday 25th January 2012 in Redbridge News By Dominic Sutton

A YEAR in the life of Wanstead is being recorded in pictures by a pair of photographers who have taken to the streets to catch local people at work and play.

Gary Lashmar, 41, and partner Claudia Carter, 21, earn their living as wedding photographers.

But the Cowley Road couple have a passion for street photography and are currently working on a project where they will take at least one picture in Wanstead every day for a year.

Gary, who grew up in Wanstead, said: "I make my living as a wedding photographer and yet it is street photography that inspires me.

“It’s about revealing the magic in what most people would consider to be ordinary moments.

“I approach shooting weddings in the same way as I do street photography because for me it’s all about people.”

The couple don’t tell their subjects they are taking photos, but Claudia says most people don’t mind having their pictures taken.

She added: “A few people have said ‘Oh, did you just take my picture?’ But nine out of 10 of them are fine when they realise they are being photographed.

“If we told people, it would take away the mystery of what we are doing.

“I think everyone on the High Street knows us now because we are down there so often with our cameras.

“We do this because we love it. Gary grew up here, so it’s like going back to his roots really. But we both really like Wanstead. It’s full of interesting characters.”

To view more of Gary and Claudia’s photos visit www.marshalgrayblog.com

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