Tony Boxall's many award-winning pictures have made him one of the highest ranked amateur photographers in the world. Born in 1929, Tony spent twenty years as a bookmaker during which time a customer offered him a 6x6 Zeiss Ikon Nettar camera in order to settle betting debts. Taught to how to use the camera and darkroom by a neighbour, he joined Horley Camera Club and took every opportunity to perfect his technique. With a natural flair for photography, Tony was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal Photographic Society and over the years won over four hundred prizes for his work.

A highlight of his eclectic archive is his sensitive portrayal of gypsy families in the Kent and Surrey countryside around where he lived. A chance encounter with a Romany gypsy and his horse and cart in 1964 was to ignite his interest in a lifestyle that was intriguingly different to his own. When he asked if might take more pictures, he was told gruffly, 'Give me a fag and if the dogs don't bite, go ahead'. His resulting pictures, taken over a four year period, capture a way of life on the verge of extinction and became the subject of a book and travelling RPS exhibition in 1990.

Elsewhere, Tony's photography takes in in all human life (not to mention some animals); a heart-warming and life-affirming body of work from an ordinary man with an extraordinary talent. Click here to see more.

As always, please get in touch either by phone on 020 8318 0034 or email to pictures@maryevans.com if you need help with research, a quote or would like to discuss a project.