The final of Mister Glory is just around the corner on July 15th and we’re moist with anticipation to see who is crowned winner from the cadre of creative and outrageous hombres that strutted their stuff across the stage in each absurd category. Or maybe that’s just sweat from the heatwave. Either way, something’s got us wet like a used maxi pad. Might it be the gorgeous portraiture that has been accompanying each round? Fab-you-lush photographer Peter Fingleton dished the dirt on shooting Mister Glory, who he thinks will win and who needs to sit on his face.
Hey Peter! We love your Mister Glory photos. There’s a lot of bare unvarnished wood in them isn’t there. Do you always plan your backdrops with such care?
Well, I didn’t just use whatever crap was lying around the Glory if that’s what you’re getting at…
What do you like photographing apart from backstage male beauty pageants?
For the past three years or so the tranny-tastic nightlife of east London has provided plenty of fodder for my ‘Sharp Shock’ club photography Facebook page. But my main interest is portrait and fashion photography.
Have you always done photography? Are there other strings to your thong?
Photography and retouching do take up most of my days, yes, though if you’re lucky you’ll sometimes catch me performing or DJing in drag (or at least heels, a lash and a lip)
Didn’t you go to Glastonbury with Jonny Woo? Was that amazeballs?
It was indescribable! By which I mean I can’t remember a thing so I can’t describe it. But from what I’ve heard yes, being a part of the tranny dance troupe at the NYC Downlow is one of the best things ever!
As a “scenester” what do you think of the London scene at the moment?
With the recent spate of gay venues closing the Glory is a godsend. It’s the perfect mix of old-school gay pub and alternative club mixed in with performance and an endless supply of Jonny Woo. Aside from that my favourite thing is how drag and club kid outrageousness has become such a big part of the scene again (thanks to the popularity of RuPaul’s Drag Race and club nights like Sink the Pink). Anything that challenges the creeping spread of the ‘straight acting’-Grindr-chemsex culture is good in my book!
Who was your favourite Mister Glory? Who would you have picked to win?
Well I’ll just be diplomatic… and pick the guy I’d most like to have sit on my face so: Matthew Gent.
Who do you think WILL win?
John Sizzle.
Do you have a type? What would it take to win Mister Peter Fingleton?
Ideally, I’m looking for someone with dark hair, a red jumper and quite a large face.
What advice would you give to budding backstage male beauty pageant photographers?
Don’t be afraid to get hands-on when directing your subjects.
• The Mister Glory 2015 final is on Wednesday July 15th at The Glory, (281 Kingsland Road, E2 8AS) 8pm-12am. Free entry.
