THE MAN WHO SHOT
JIMMY GLASS Club photographer Mark Fuller tells us about capturing a moment How and when did your interest in photography begin? I have always snapped pictures and started out using Kodak point and shoot film cameras to capture holidays and family events. Once my first son was on the way, I decided to get my first decent camera – a Nikon F301 film camera. I simply bought a ‘What Camera’ magazine and went for the one that was recommended, along with a couple of lenses. Using this kit for family snaps and pictures taken at work, I soon got the bug and the rest is history as they say. And when did you start supporting Carlisle? My parents were both born in Carlisle and my grandfather was headmaster of Upperby School so, during my own school holidays, I would come to stay with my grandparents and it would have been my grandfather that first brought me to a match. I have no idea which game
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it was. When I was a young teenager, I do remember walking across Rickerby Park to hang around the Warwick Road end gate on match day. The guy on the gate used to open it at half-time and I used to get in for nothing. Then when a bit older, I would go in the Scratching Pen to watch the likes of Bobby Parker, Tot Winstanley and the rest of the early 70s team play. How did you get involved in photography professionally and become the club photographer? I would only class myself as semi-pro as I am a full-time teacher, but my job has allowed me to shoot lots of different sports, plays and occasions so that is how my skills have built up. Then one day the headmaster asked me if I would be the photographer at his daughter’s wedding – no pressure there then to get it right! Since then, I have photographed his second daughter’s wedding as well as several others and, most recently, my own son’s. As far as club photographer is concerned, I wrote to the club to ask if I could get pitch-side to take some photos of my
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brother, who had just been appointed to work for the club. My idea was to surprise him with some photos taken of him while a game was in progress. I also took some match action and the media department liked them, and asked if I would do it regularly. Was becoming a photographer an obvious choice or was it more complicated? Teaching is my career but I have been really lucky to have had the opportunity to get into photography as well. I once did some work for Darryn Lyons; he owns the paparazzi picture agency called Big Pictures and at the time they were the biggest pap agency in the world. He liked what I did and offered me a job that meant I would have had to move to London. I just couldn’t pluck up the courage to do it. It would have meant a big change for my family and my career. Do you still see photography as a hobby? Very much so. I enjoy all aspects from sport, landscape, wedding, drama and even paparazzi-style shooting. It’s a buzz trying to capture unique shots.