He rented premises in Camden Town and built a studio and darkroom. At the same time he got to know Dave Robinson and Jake Riviera who were just launching Stiff Records. Gabrin went on to photograph nearly all the Stiff acts over the next two or three years including Elvis Costello, Ian Dury, Nick Lowe, Wreckless Eric and The Damned. He began working with other record labels taking pictures of many famous bands at the time including The Stranglers, Blondie and The Buzzcocks. Alongside a powerful stereo, Gabrin kept a large record collection in his studio and artists would choose their own music for his photo sessions.
One of his most famous images was of Elvis Costello for his 1978 album This Year’s Model. By then he had already photographed Elvis a dozen or more times. Another was of Ian Dury for his debut studio (and biggest selling) album New Boots And Panties. The photograph was taken outside Axfords underwear and lingerie shop at 306 Vauxhall Bridge Road, Westminster, close to Victoria Station. Gabrin’s Mini van and the Woolworths store on the opposite side of the road can be seen reflected in the shop window. The child next to Dury is his son Baxter.
Gabrin diversified away from pure photography and became more involved in video production. In 1979 Derek Boshier curated an exhibition entitled Lives at the Hayward Gallery, London, and he commissioned Barney Bubbles to design the catalogue and poster. Together with Gabrin the trio also created and exhibited a video and mixed-media installation.
In later years he directed music videos including Church Of The Poison Mind for Culture Club, Don’t Go for Yazoo, Painted Desert for Pat Benatar and It Must Be Love for Madness.
