There will be more than one gallery portrait taken at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday as one of the UK's leading reportage photographers will be taking images for an exhibition that will be displayed at one of London's leading advertising agencies.

First

David Imms is producing a portfolio of work entitled 'First' in conjunction with the 'Grey' Advertising Agency in Hatton Garden, which has become highly respected for its innovative approach to all aspects of its work for some of the biggest brands in the world.

David has already visited Milnrow, Friary Guildford and Brighouse & Rastrick in the run up to the National Finals, with a last stop off at Tredegar where he took a number of informal portrait images of individual players and of the band in rehearsal.

Back stage

On Saturday he will be based in the Green Room backstage, where he hopes that players and conductors from all the competing bands will make themselves available to be shot after they have performed.

"It's something of a personal as well as professional project," David told 4BR. "The brief of 'First' has really appealed to me — and the way in which brass bands strive to be first. There is something about the connotations that come with it, such as being the best, which is so powerful.

The brief of 'First' has really appealed to me — and the way in which brass bands strive to be first. There is something about the connotations that come with it, such as being the best, which is so powerfulDavid Imms

Show the determination

He added: "I want to try and show that determination to succeed in the portraits of the players — something that drives hard working people from all walks of life to give time to a hobby that brings them so much enjoyment in a competitive environment.

The music making is amazing too and my thanks go to the organisers for allowing me to do this — the welcome we have had everywhere has been great!"

Bands can keep an eye out for David backstage after they have played if they wish to be part of the project.