The photographer who keeps it local
In conversation with photographer, Sean Blakey .
With an eye for character and details most people miss, Sean Blakey, the photographer behind @localshotsforlocalpeople, has built a sharp, unmistakable record of seaside life as it actually feels.
In conversation, we talk candid shooting, seaside characters and the pull of shooting close to home.
How did @localshotsforlocalpeople start out?
I actually did a month of photography in college 20 years ago, but all the written work bored me so I called it a day sadly. But a couple of years back I bought a camera off a mate on a whim and it completely consumed me. It’s way more than a hobby now, it gives me a real sense of meaning.
What makes someone catch your eye on the street?
It’s based on feeling mainly, there’s nothing super specific I go out and search for. I have a bit of a system for deciding whether someone works best as part of a wider scene, a direct portrait, or because of one specific feature, and that dictates how I approach the situation.
What is it about tattoos that catches your eye?
Nearly every old boy I’ve chatted to with trad tattoos has a barmy story behind them. As that older generation disappears, those pieces are gonna be few and far between, so documenting them feels like I’m doing my bit to preserve them.
How do most people react when they realize you’ve taken their photo?
When I’m out shooting, people rarely notice I’ve taken a candid because I’ve got a few tricks up me sleeve to blend in. But if they do, my golden rule is to always have a clear reason for taking the shot, keep the vibe up, and be fully transparent. Just asking 'can I take your picture?' can start things off on the wrong foot and put people’s defences up.
Where’s your favourite spot to shoot right now, and why?
In my opinion, we’re blessed on the east coast for street photography. The combo of Clee, Skeggy, Scarbs, Mablethorpe, and Bridlington right on the doorstep is a dream. Lately, I’ve been trying to evoke as much nostalgia as I can in my work, and those seaside spots are the perfect backdrops for it. Especially having grown up in one myself.
Walk us through a typical shooting day.
Shooting days are always different depending on the vibe, weather, and my own confidence on the day. But I’d say it’s best to always have a camera to hand and keep an eye out for little moments wherever you are. Even when I’m out without a camera, I still clock locations and human behavior that I can use as inspo down the line.
Has a particular person or moment stood out to you while shooting?
There’s a fella I’ve befriended who runs a few shops down Cleethorpes seafront. I haven't taken a portrait of him, but every time I head down, we have a proper 15-minute yarn. Without photography putting me on the seafront regularly, it’s a friendship I never would've made. I rarely slowed down to chat with folk before picking up a
camera, so moments like that are what really stand out to me.
Where do you want to take the project next?
I’d love more than owt to turn my spare room into a darkroom so I can print my film work straight onto paper, with zero digital in the mix. I’m also releasing a photobook this winter with all my favourite film shots so far! My dream is for someone to pick up my work 100 years down the line and really get a feel for what seaside life was like for us lot in the 2020’s.
Follow @localshotsforlocalpeople here.
