Award-winning Birmingham-based photographer Simon Donnelly recently spent time documenting the life of Romani Gypsy Percy Bennett, one of the standout personalities featured on Channel 5’s hit documentary series “Here Come the Gypsies.”
The photo session, captured on location, took place just before Percy set off with his trained hunting hawks—a powerful visual of self-sufficiency and the preservation of Romani traditions. Donnelly’s work goes beyond simple portraiture, offering a deeply respectful and intimate look into the life of a man whose connection to the land, animals, and heritage is as strong as ever.
“Percy lives off the land,” Donnelly explains. “Hunting with hawks to feed his family isn’t just survival—it's a living tradition that’s been passed down for generations.”
The portraits are rich in mood and authenticity—showing Percy in traditional dress, his raptors nearby, ready to hunt. The images are part of a broader narrative aired on Channel 5’s “Here Come the Gypsies”, a series that brings attention to the day-to-day lives, customs, and challenges of Britain’s Gypsy and Traveller communities.
📺 About the Show
“Here Come the Gypsies” offers UK viewers a rare inside look into one of the country's most misunderstood communities. The show challenges outdated stereotypes by highlighting real stories—like Percy’s—that celebrate identity, culture, and resilience.
📷 Behind the Camera
Through Simon’s lens, viewers are invited to experience the rich textures of Romani life: not just in tradition, but in the people who continue to carry those traditions forward with pride. his work exploring British subcultures, working-class heritage, and regional identity. Based in Birmingham, he is available for editorial commissions, television stills, and documentary photography projects across the UK.
📞 Contact Simon Donnelly:
📧 Email: sidonnelly@aol.com
📱 Call/Text: +44 (0)7836 337293
🌐 Portfolio: portrait photographer Birmingham
📱 Call/Text: +44 (0)7836 337293
🌐 Portfolio: portrait photographer Birmingham
📍 Location: Birmingham, West Midlands – UK-wide coverage
