Philippa perry — Blog

I have now worked with Philippa on 5 separate occasions. I’ve photographed her with her husband Grayson, with her cat Kevin, with tears in her eyes leaving the screening of Toy Story 3 (and who did not shed a tear in that one???) and a couple of times on her own. I hope Philippa doesn’t mind me saying that working with her is more and more like working with a friend. Not only has she got her look down to a T with her colourful outfits, grey streak in the hair and colourful, thick framed glasses - but she genuinely just wants a shoot to be fun. She treats it like a playground, which is a refreshing and welcoming attitude to a shoot that is supposed to be uplifting fun.

Philippa is the new Agony Aunt for the Observer Magazine. Taking over after 20 years of advice to the British public from Mariella Frostrup. I have already sneakily asked Philippa for advice on a few issues when photographing her, and I have to admit, that if I was to write to someone to get advice on personal matters, then Philippa would be one of the first on my list. Her replies just make sense. I know that her role as an Agony Aunt for the Observer will be one filled with not only great advice, but also humour where and when appropriate. In fact - if we all write in and get some advice then I firmly believe that this world will be a little more colourful and brighter, as we all emerge from our homes a little more confident in our own decisions and insecurities.

So - take pen to hand, dig deep and get writing. Lets get Philippa working hard for her money!

Shot for Observer Magazine

Working with people several times allows for a different approaches and opportunities. With some people, there may be a case of struggling to come up with new ideas, but in the case of Grayson and Philippa Perry that’s not a problem. They’re a consistently moving visual subject. Constantly evolving and always interesting. I say that having photographed Grayson Perry 8 times, Philippa Perry 4 times - oh, and their cat once.

In the true spirit of Corona lockdown, this shoot took place outdoors. Just outside Grayson’s studio in fact. All brick walls and little to hand that we could use as props. I had however brought my own little stash and was ready to roll. Grayson and Philippa were hosting the second part of the Lockdown Art program. A program that sees the couple talking to celebs about art, but also ask the public to enter their lockdown art. (More series to come).

My boys were given a book called “Boys who dare to be different” from their Auntie Emma for Christmas. It’s a lovely book that looks at people in history who have dared to stand out from what is considered the norm, and have excelled in what they have done. One of the people mentioned in this book is Grayson Perry. On the shoot I mentioned this to Grayson. On the request of my kids, I asked him if what was written in the book was true. The first comment from Grayson and Philippa in unison was “but I (Grayson) am not different.” It is a comment I should have seen coming from Grayson. I also agree to a certain degree, whilst completely understanding why he is in the afore mentioned book. Would Grayson have been mentioned in the book had he just done the art work and not dressed as Claire on occasions? Probably not. Does the book then put more emphasis on Grayson’s Claire than Grayson’s many art works? Maybe. But the truth is that Claire is in itself an art piece, and Claire, more so than the amazing ceramics and tapestry Grayson does, encourages young and old alike to be who they want to be, despite the norm that group pressure and society puts upon us.

I do enjoy photographing Grayson as Grayson, or Grayson as Claire just as much. I love photographing Philippa with her characteristic black and grey hair and unmistakable glasses. Together - they bounce off each other, like raindrops on a freshly impregnated coat, like a bouncy ball in a school playground, like best friends after a long time apart, like they are each every second word in a sentence that slots perfectly together to make complete sense.

I may not be considered the kind of friend that would call Philippa and Grayson to hang out and enjoy a glass of wine together, but when I’m on a shoot with them I feel very much like a friend.

Shot for Observer New Review