AMI Barwell will exhibit her rock’n’roll photography at the Fossgate Social bar, in Fossgate, in her adopted home city of York from October 3.

Born and raised in Hull, Ami began by photographing the music scene in Leeds, York and Hull, then moved to New York before settling in London. Last year, she returned to the north, making York her home.

Ami been working within the music industry for the past 15 years, portraying some of the biggest names in rock. Next month, the Fossgate Social’s brick walls will be adorned with intimate portraits of Radiohead’sThom Yorke; Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown; American legend Iggy Pop; Foo Fighters; Lenny Kravitz; The Killers; Snow Patrol and Wakefield’s The Cribs.

The roll call goes on: The White Stripes; Johnny Marr; Black Rebel Motorcycle Club; New York Dolls; The Darkness; Supergrass; Sandi Thom and Levellers will feature too. As soon as you enter the bar, the warts-and-all image of Motorhead’s Lemmy will slap you in the face.

Ami’s work is striking and atmospheric, honest and sexy. “My photographs seek out and capture their subjects’ soul,” she says. “My photography encapsulates the true spirit of rock’n’roll: passion, emotion, sex, sweat and rebellion.”

One distinctive aspect of her working method is how Ami is a catalyst for the camera-shy, her photographs have a feel and depth that take you into the shot, as if you were present at that very moment they were taken.

She has worked with all major record labels and her work has featured in Mojo, Rolling Stone, I-D, Elle, NME, GQ, Uncut, The Sunday Times, Kerrang!, Vogue, Metal Hammer, Total Guitar, Wonderland and Guitarist Magazine. She regularly does shoots for Classic Rock Magazine.

|Ami was San Francisco band Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s official photographer for five years, documenting everything from personal shots and candid tour-bus antics to backstage emotion and raw, live shots.

She produced their album and single cover photography and was the director of photography for the Weight Of The World video, an experience she will not forget in a hurry as she spent a night in a Canadian jail afterwards.

Frequently, Ami has been commissioned to produce album covers, inlay artwork and single sleeves, with Interpol, Editors and The Cooper Temple Clause all on her client list.

Ami gains the trust and respect of the people she snaps, leading to on-going working relationships and life-long friendships. Among those praising her skill at creating frozen-forever rock’n’roll moments are Ian Brown, who said, “Your photos are great. I love them... You’re the best; while Elbow’s Guy Garvey enthused: “If I haven’t complimented you on your work, it’s great.”

Ami’s photography has been in demand in the world of fashion too. “When I discovered Ami Barwell, I was immediately blown away; the imagery was amazing,” said Ben Sherman. “Bringing together a great British rock photographer and a great British clothing brand has been an exciting journey.”

Rock’n’Roll Photography by Ami Barwell will run at the Fossgate Social from October 3 to November 3. In the meantime, you can see her work at musicphotographer.co.uk