Gallery 1885 Exhibition: John McKenzie

An Introduction to John McKenzie

Up to the age of twelve I lived in Lambeth Walk, SE11, less than a mile from the Camera Club. We lived above the shop and darkroom of my late father, showbusiness photographer Doug McKenzie. There I earnt my pocket money by mixing the print developers etc. in stainless steel buckets. And growing up surrounded by all things photographic meant that by around age ten, I was able to load film into a Rolleiflex and shoot, process and more-or-less print my own work.

After a brief spell working in the darkrooms of the Press Association, I joined Doug as soon as he could afford an assistant, and was soon shooting on my own. I quickly established my own clients, particularly in the music industry, working for the major record companies, the related management and PR companies, and the music press of the day. Every image in this exhibition was originally shot as part of a directly commissioned, fee-paying assignment.

I must have spent hundreds of hours printing in the darkrooms of our expanding print lab, now based in three high street shops in Forest Hill, SE23. Gradually we became one of the largest - and fastest - labs in London. Subsequently based in a large industrial unit just off the Old Kent Road, I took on the role of Production Director - just as we embraced the impact of scanning and digital printing.

Retiring in 2011, I went back to assisting my father, enabling Doug to continue his obsession with photography. Gradually I took over the reins as he became more and more an ‘old friend and honoured guest’ at the events he was expecting to photograph. I have maintained my own love of photography by continuing to shoot for three charities, particularly the Grand Order of Water Rats, a showbusiness charity, founded in 1889. I was invited to become a member in 2014, and now hold the office of ‘Photographer Rat’!

Four of my favourite images by Doug are included nearby as a tiny sample of his own extensive archive, and of his undoubted expertise. And I hope you enjoy this look at my time as a music industry photographer - it was, as you can probably imagine, great fun.

Thank you for your interest.