I Am Martin Parr documentary

How Martin Parr changed the way we see

Lee Shulman’s new documentary, I Am Martin Parr, offers a glimpse into the famously enigmatic imagemaker’s world and considers what his legacy will be

There are few contemporary photographers who have worked their way into our visual consciousness to the same extent as Martin Parr over the last five decades. Known for his flash-lit portraits of British beachgoers and humorous takes on everyday scenes, Parr’s distinctive brand of photography has tackled subjects such as class, wealth and national culture through a famously uncompromising lens.

Yet despite being one of the most celebrated names in British photography, the person behind the camera remains something of a mystery to many people. “We know his photos, we know what they represent, but what we don’t know is more about Martin. It’s very difficult to get to know him,” says photographer and filmmaker Lee Shulman, who has turned his own lens on Parr in a new documentary.

Shulman recalls being obsessed with the photographer’s work ever since he was introduced to it as a student. “I still remember thinking, do I love this, or do I hate this? I’m not sure. And that’s great, that’s where good art comes from.” They first met in 2019 during the opening of Shulman’s exhibition The House in Arles and have since collaborated on a book pairing Parr’s iconic snapshots with images from the Anonymous Project, Shulman’s collection of found amateur photographs.

I Am Martin Parr documentary
All images © Martin Parr/Magnum Photos