Legendary photographer Martin Parr looks back on his work and recalls the way we were

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This interview first appeared in TopMob magazine in August 2025, shortly before Parr passed away on December 6th, 2025.

“Stop overthinking it!” Martin Parr says with a playful warning. “You’re getting too caught up in theory.”

I really stepped in it when I mentioned that the photos of the old Lido in New Brighton – you know, the ones that made Martin Parr famous in ‘The Last Resort’ series – could be seen as a way of showing how working-class towns in Britain have struggled over the last forty years. He wasn’t thrilled! He basically said there’s political stuff in his pictures if you want to see it, but he doesn’t want to tell people what to think. He just wants us to look at the photos and enjoy them for what they are.

Martin Parr’s photography is widely popular. He’s known for documenting life in Britain, but he’s also had a significant impact on the art of photography itself. His bold and realistic style has influenced many different areas, including fashion and even how events are photographed in conflict zones.

He photographs things simply because it feels natural to him. He enjoys the process of capturing images, especially in chaotic or unusual situations – the more dramatic the scene, the more he loves it.

Martin Parr, featured in a BBC4 documentary and authoring a new memoir called Utterly Lazy and Inattentive, shares that despite taking countless photos – and reflecting on 150 of his most famous in the book – he doesn’t believe he’s ever captured a truly perfect image, though he’s come very close.

When you’re taking photos, you quickly realize not every shot will be amazing. But you keep shooting anyway, building up that creative flow, hoping to capture something special when the moment is right. As Martin Parr puts it, it often comes down to simply being lucky enough to find an interesting scene.

Mayor of Todmorden’s Inaugural Banquet, West Yorkshire 1977

I lived in Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire, from 1975 to 1980 and regularly went to local events. This photo was taken at the Todmorden mayor’s inauguration, and it’s the best picture I’ve ever taken of a buffet. I’ve photographed many buffets since then, but this one is still the best. The image really comes to life because of the man pushing his way through the crowd in the center.

Sedlescombe 1995—99

I began experimenting with a macro camera I purchased back in 1995, and it completely changed my approach to photography. I loved being able to sharply focus on the subject in the foreground while blurring the background. I initially photographed things like traditional British food, then expanded to scenes across Europe, eventually focusing on series of images in England. In this particular photo, you can see the flash reflecting off the Union Jack and the subtle outline of the woman behind it – those elements together really bring the image to life.

New Brighton 1983—85

I moved to Wallasey back in 1982, and New Brighton, a seaside resort, was right nearby. I immediately knew it would be a fascinating place to photograph. It was a bit run-down, honestly – lots of litter around – and I actually loved that! I spent the next three years working on a project there, and it ended up being the most successful work I’ve ever done. I used flash and really vibrant colors with color negative film, which created a strikingly intense look – it was a very different style than most color documentary photography at the time.

Skegness 1992

I used to photograph people reading newspapers whenever big news broke. It’s rare to see that now, though, as newspapers—particularly the tabloids—aren’t as common. If you went to the beach today, you’d mostly see people on their phones, maybe a few older folks with a paper. Smartphones have changed everything. They’re replacing cameras, and now everyone takes photos. I actually use my phone to take serious pictures because the quality is excellent, especially in low light.

New Brighton 1983—85

Sand Bay 1997

It’s hard to imagine a more perfect cup of tea – even if you tried to create the ideal setting in a studio. I found this one at Monks’s Rest, a lovely café in Weston-super-Mare known for its delicious scones – though sadly, it’s now closed. Everything about this tea is classic: the cup and saucer are perfect, the tea is a beautiful color, and the gingham tablecloth completes the picture. It’s exactly the kind of scene you see on things like T-shirts, and I actually welcome people copying my style. I prefer just milk in my tea – nothing else.

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2025-12-08 18:35