I love spontaneity, teamwork and finding new ways to make an end product look better. In 2000, I earned an  MA in Fine Art Drawing from Wimbledon School of Art. Combining my creativity, I strategically motivate, educate and apply to every detail outlined or plan of action – working within interdisciplinary art forms to bring out the best in our youth, individuals, organisations and directing pathways for those venturing into the creative industry.

As a Supply Teacher – 21 years to date, this is what I will do… For example, in 2003 during lunchtimes at St Paul’s Way Community School in Bow, assessing everyday gang fights, drugs users, failing grades; I stayed behind after school and went to the music department’s practice room. Outside in the play area, 2 students heard me playing the congas and came to investigate. What happened next – we jammed until 7PM. The next day, morning break time word got around. I returned to the music department during lunchtime overwhelmed with over 100 kids wanting to jam. For 7 years this became a popular project called Jammin with Mr Thomas and that was how Keep Young People Alive (KYPA) was born – diffusing negativity and helping to bring about change.

May 28th 2015, my friend Robert Blenman introduced me to an event created by John Saunderson a No1 hitmaker from Notting Hill Music. The event was without a photographer. Politely, I approached John and took the opportunity. 8 years on and still together including John Robinson (stage manager) and Adam Hornblow (sound engineer), teamwork produced London’s biggest music industry networking night at Tileyard Studios, Kings Cross. Known as Notting Hill Music Network Monthly it became one of London’s popular places to be. My work to date, 45 publications in 33 editions of Music Week (the music industry bible) – 26 aside captured Saunderson’s event. The rest… my clients: Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight (Live Nation, Kennedy St), Boyz II Men, Sir Tom Jones (Live Nation), Teddy Riley, Rob Hallett (Robomagic), Stephen Duffy (BMG,UK), George Benson, Blackstreet & Dru Hill, Mo Pleasure, Simon & Diamond, Barry Manilow, Shaun Wallace. Cuffe & Taylor (Live Nation). Errol Reid, Pauline Henry. Steve Salvari. David Nathan (soulmusic.com). Simon Britton. Jo Hart (Hartmedia) Blue Weaver, RJ Gibb. Thank you God.

Gary Thomas KYPA. Photographer to the Stars

Tony Cochrane (Represents and publishes The Grammy Awards booklet)