Who loves ya, baby? Some might be offended if you're told you look like Kojak, the bald lollipop-sucking detective who starred in the hit 70s' TV crime drama.

But it was an observation like this which inspired semi-pro cameraman Gino Cinganelli to create a photo shoot of the New York-based programme from his Rochester studio.

It is the latest in a series of picture opportunities directed by the 56-year-old – whose day job is an estate agent.

He takes much of his inspiration from television programmes and films, recreating scenes involving iconic characters.

Using Only Fools and Horses lookalikes, he has turned areas across Medway into Del Boy's Peckham playground, transforming a tower block into Nelson Mandela House and a pub for the clan's favourite watering hole, the Nag's Head.

He brought 45 Walking Dead fans from across the country to a car park in Rochester to recreate a battle scene from the American zombie show.

And for a sci-fi shoot, he has hired half an dozen Daleks, a "Darth Vader" and a cardboard Tardis.

But while he had no problem nabbing his Kojak front man, aka Paddock Wood-based actor Russell Yeoell, for a shoot, getting an NYPD police car and police uniforms of the era proved a challenge.

Since taking up his hobby about five years ago, Gino has compiled a network of contacts, many encountered at military, historical gatherings and re-enactments.

He said: "Once I have an idea, it largely comes together by word-of-mouth. You put a message out there and it gradually builds up.

"These are people who make money in TV shows and productions like The Crown, but do this for nothing.

"It's not about money, it's about having fun."

It all started when Gino was given a camera 10 years ago and one day thought "I'd better learn how to use this".

He said: "I joined a camera club and realised I was quite good at taking pictures."

Working in property with the Featherstone family, who own premises along Rochester and Chatham High Streets, he seized the opportunity when a unit became available at the former Lion Brewery.

Gino turned it into a studio which he shares as workshop space with other photographers.

Much of the Kojak shoot was filmed in the car park in Hulkes Lane, the wharf frontage lending itself to a downtown New York backdrop.

He said: "The cast were asked to wear 70s'-style clothes, so the women wore colourful dresses, the men wore old suits and somebody came as John Travolta, which worked."

His spare time is spent going round charity shops near his Maidstone home with girlfriend Kathy Hedges looking for possible props.

Gino writes a short script so he gets the actors in action while snapping away and then spends hours editing his footage, giving it a poor-quality 70s' look.

He said: "I remember watching Kojak with my dad. It was good in its day, but I watched an episode for the shoot and thought it was rubbish.

"We certainly had a laugh filming it."

To see more of Gino's work, put together over 10 years, click here, or visit his Facebook page here.

His website features galleries including countless photos and a wide range of genres – and keep an eye out for opportunities to get involved with his projects.