Iain grew up in Weymouth in Dorset and went to boarding school at Clifton Collage in Bristol.
In 1975 after a year foundation he studied graphic design at the Exeter College of Art and Design. At the same time, aged 19, he began working as a seaside photographer in his summer holidays. His first serious project became: documenting his own life, the environment he grew up in including family, friends, girl friends and the people who worked or lived in Weymouth plus holiday makers.
He moved to London in 1979 to work as a graphic designer. At 22 he quit his job in design to follow a career in photography: his new projects were the Mod/Skinhead revival and he self published his first book titled SUB CULTURE.