Case Study - Jayne Fincher on Princess Diana
The Hulton Archive isn't just about black & white pictures from decades ago; it's being added to all the time. One recent addition is a collection of pictures of the late Princess Diana, by royal photographer Jayne Fincher. Fincher photographed the princess extensively and her images document the history of her public life.
How long did you know Princess Diana? Can you remember the first time you met?
I first glimpsed Diana in November 1980 as she left a party in London but didn't get to talk to her until about February of the next year. This was during the months of speculation around her engagement to Prince Charles. The first time we had a good chat and a chance to really find out about each other was in Australia in March 1983.
How many images are in the collection that you've left to the Hulton Archive?
Nearly 20,000.
How did the acquisition of the pictures by Getty come about? Did they approach you?
It was a roundabout route to be honest. The images were initially acquired by the Princess Diana Memorial Fund for its archival and product use, but, as they wound down their operation last year, they were then moved to the Getty Images Hulton Archive.
I had already had contact with Getty Images over the years through my father, [the press photographer] Terry Fincher, so I was extremely delighted that my photographs were going to such a good home.
The media - particularly photographers - are often pilloried over the death of Diana in 1997. How do you feel about that?
I care a great deal about the image of the Royal photographers, especially after the Princess' death. Unfortunately we were all tarred with the same brush and had the image of being an unruly lot of paparazzi who all contributed to her death. It is frustrating.
A lot of us who had worked the Royal scene for many years had an excellent relationship and reputation with members of the Royal family. I certainly never undertook any paparazzi work and would not have considered such intrusive photography. My work was always official and above board. I think that a certain section of my colleagues did bring about trouble and have subsequently left the profession with a very low reputation with the general public. One thing is for sure: if they had not all been playing a cat-and-mouse game with her in the last few months of her life I am sure she would still be here today.
To see Contact details go to the Directory
