HowIclicked with myfellow Glaswegians

Looking back at chronicling lives in the city, forging connections and bringing these powerful, moving and memorable tales to a wider audience

IT’S hard to believe Glasgow Lives has been running for five years. About 1100 people have taken part since the series began on the Glasgow Live site in 2016 and it’s gone past in the blink of an eye.

The idea behind Glasgow Lives was to feature a little slice of the lives of people who either live in or who have a connection to the city.

The interviews are a mixture of meetings with people I bump into, chats with those who get in touch wanting to take part or from other people’s suggestions – a project like this is so enriched by the help of a lot of incredible people and I can’t thank them enough.

I was at a sell-out gig at Kelvingrove Bandstand the summer before last, and I remember looking around and there was someone or several people in almost every row of the audience that had been in Glasgow Lives – that made me smile.

I do bump into or hear from people who have appeared in Glasgow Lives and quite often they tell me about something good that happened as a result of their story being published or just what they’re up to and it’s always lovely to hear that.

People have a lot of beautiful stories about the simple things in everyday life and everyday people also come through incredible challenges and experiences.

It’s definitely a combination of both that stick in my mind, because whatever that person’s experience is – extraordinary or very ordinary – either can be as equally moving and memorable. Five years of hearing and photographing these Glasgow Lives has moved me to tears and laughter, found me in bizarre situations, sometimes with complete strangers who I have just met, but all of it has given me some of the most special memories I’ll ever make.

I attempt to feature as many walks of life as possible. I don’t think five years has been long enough to have achieved that in a city like ours yet but hopefully in another five years there will be many more Glasgow Lives to look back on.

I’m grateful to have been able to continue the series safely through lockdown. Looking back, Glasgow Lives has grown into a chronicle of life in the city and that’s only been possible because of everyone who has taken part.

I’m very grateful to every one of them. It has been a privilege to make these human connections and I hope those connections, through the stories they’ve shared, have led to even more connections out there. Here are five of the most memorable Glasgow Lives.

ENRICHED Elaine has been moved to tears – and laughter TICH spoke to me very openly about his battles with addiction and finding sobriety. It was a very raw, honest and brave interview and his portrait is one of my favourites because I think he wasn’t hiding anything at all – in his picture or his words.

AGED 93 when I met her, Margaret was the most elegant and charming woman. I had a lovely time talking to her at her home in Springburn, where she told me the most beautiful and simple story about life with her husband Harry, her best friend and the love of her life, and their 63-year marriage together. Margaret had lost Harry 10 years before and coincidentally we met around the time of his 10th anniversary, which is why I think we got talking about him. She held his portrait while I took hers. Margaret passed away about 18 months later and we republished her Glasgow Lives piece in tribute to her and a life well lived and well loved.