Famous photographer captures guitarists’ stories to mark retailer’s milestone

A world-renowned music photographer has captured the stories of several Scottish guitarists to mark the 20th anniversary of a guitar dealer.

Aaron Parsons, who has photographed the Arctic Monkeys, Taylor Swift and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, took photos of 20 Guitarguitar customers.

The company was founded in Edinburgh two decades ago and also has stores in Glasgow, Birmingham, Camden, north London, Epsom, Surrey and Newcastle.

Seven of the 20 people in his new series are Scottish and told the photographer how the instrument has shaped their lives.

Among those photographed is 34-year-old Miles Reed.

He has been a music fan all his life and says that his guitar took on even greater meaning to him when he lost his father at a young age, as his instrument offered him comfort and therapy in his grief.

Mr Reed said: “After my father died, the guitar took on a whole new meaning.

“It became a way for me to express my feelings when I was at a loss for words.

“Strumming chords and creating melodies allowed me to release pent-up emotions and find moments of calm in the midst of chaos.”

Over the course of his career, Parsons has photographed some of the most influential artists for magazines such as Rolling Stone and Attitude in recent years.

His portfolio includes Self Esteem, Miles Kane and Thundercat.

As a regular photographer at Glastonbury, his work aims to capture the emotions and energy of those in front of the camera.

He said: “Whether I’m photographing John Frusciante (Red Hot Chilli Peppers), Taylor Swift or any of the 20 incredible people behind the stories in this series, the relationship these musicians have with their guitars is incredibly special and unique.

“When they pick up their guitar, the room or stage lights up. My job is to capture that unique energy in just one image.”

The series also features stories from Scots such as Alistair Pringle, 62, who bought his Fender Stratocaster in 1970 and sold it in 1982 to buy a wedding ring for his wife, who later bought him another one on Valentine’s Day 1986.

Roger Penny, 70, started playing acoustic guitar at the age of ten. Mr. Penny is completely self-taught and is currently recording his fourth studio album.

Kirsteen Harvey, 25, has garnered a million views on TikTok, where she covers pop songs with a traditional Scottish twist.

Adam Speck, Marketing Director at Guitarguitar, said: “Buying a guitar is a special moment for anyone, but the journey our customers take with that instrument is why we are so passionate about what we do.”

“The hundreds of thousands of guitarists we have inspired over the past two decades all have their own incredible relationship with the guitar.

“And whether they play it in front of thousands, use it as therapy in difficult moments in their lives or even use it to propose marriage – that is the magic of this great instrument.

“We would like to use our anniversary as an opportunity to inspire future generations to pick up the guitar and write their very own story.”