Our “Magic” event was documented by Peter McNally. Peter is a documentary photographer and film-maker based in Glasgow, Scotland. He provides individuals, businesses, organisations and photo editors with high quality visual imagery to tell stories of people, places and events. 

Visit Peter’s website to find our more about his beautiful work and read on to find our more about his passion for photography.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am a documentary and portrait photographer based out of Glasgow. I have worked extensively in music and politics in Scotland and Scandinavia, following both musicians and politicians during their work. Most notably of late I worked with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon over 20 months on several different campaigns. I apply my documentary style to everything I do, be it commercial work, editorial or even portrait work.

What inspired you to first pick up a camera?
I don’t remember actually. Curiosity most likely. I picked up a camera at a very early age and I have been at it ever since. I taught myself entirely on an old 35mm russian film camera.

What subjects are you most drawn to?
I am mostly drawn to people and their expressions. By that I mean the way they move and react in front of a camera or how they behave when they either don’t know you are there or forget you are there. A camera affords you an intimate view of a subject that you wouldn’t really get otherwise.

What is your favourite gear you’re using at the moment?
Right now it’s the Ricoh GR. A tiny but powerful digital point and shoot camera that as far as I can tell is a bit of a well kept secret in the photography world. I have been downsizing my gear for years now to see how little I can get away with. When you get near full bleed double page spreads published with pictures taken on a point and shoot you realise that what gear you have doesn’t always matter.    

Can you list a few of your favourite creative resources? 
I’m a magazine junkie but not particularly photography magazines. I don’t seek out inspiration for photography like blogs or anything like that. I’m more interested in typface, layout and design. The only photography magazine that I really loved was Once Magazine which was an iPad only publication and did long and beautiful photo essays. Sadly, they finished publishing a while back.

Please tell us the story behind one of your favourite photographs.

My photograph of Nicola Sturgeon facing the audience on stage at The Hydro in Glasgow is one of my favourites purely because it’s quite dramatic. I tend to prefer an understated image. Something subtle. This is far from it and I like it because of that. Also I had around 10 second to get the shot and I had all the stage lights pointing directly at me from all angles. My experience shooting rock and pop concerts kicked in and I set up the shot in my head before I went out to get it. It’s also one of those shots you can’t ever do again so you have to nail it first time. That’s always fun. 

petermcnally.org