Jason Bruges

The greatest thing about working with artists is that most of the time you get to include their work in the images.  Sometimes, it makes it harder, but most of the time it gives you the chance to create images of someone, using props that are interesting in themselves.  This is especially the case when working with artists such at Jason Bruges.  Jason does not only create great big installations but works a lot with light and reflective surfaces.  Like a playground for me! 

Jason, genuinely interested in the photography side of the shoot as well as imagery as a whole, was great to work with.  His studio was two warehouse rooms filled with half finished projects.  All at my disposal.  The shoot was to create images for Jason that he could use for his own PR.  We used his up and coming projects including robots and large ‘disco balls looking’ wall installations which are to be installed on an underground station in Norway. A great big water tank in construction, that will eventually be installed so that sound waves break the light and create patterns on the ceiling of the space it is in.  A genuinely interesting and fun shoot with a very inspirational and friendly man.  

Shot for Jason Bruges

John Bercow

It’s not long since I stopped categorising my newsletters.  One of the reasons I stopped was that some shoots just didn’t fit into my most common subject matter, and therefore got left behind.  For example, I sat on a folder with politicians and topical/political journalists without ever sharing these.  John Bercow was one of those shoots - shot a few months before the Covid pandemic came and changed the world forever.

John Bercow, aka “ORDER!!!!!” - made the ‘Speaker of the house’ into something more than just an orchestrator, keeping order in the houses of parliament during debate.  Bercow became the man who shouted “ORDER! ORDER!” as front bench politicians squabbled and argued like children.  He was the one who was able to control the politicians when they were not able to control themselves.  And let’s face it, that was a regular reoccurrence.  John Bercow became the face of sanity in parliament, a man who took the anonymous roll of “speaker” and made it into something else.  This shoot was completed earlier this year and John was modest when I mentioned his achievements, and nice to work with.  He seemed at times to be the only politician who could see the houses of parliament for what it is, and the politicians for how they come across to the average man in the street - as they argue and bicker like school children.  

Shot for Observer New Review

Fiona Bruce

It’s not long  since I stopped categorising my newsletters.  One of the reasons I stopped was that some shoots just didn’t fit into my most common subject matter, and therefor got left behind.  For example, I sat on a folder with politicians and topical/political journalists without ever sharing these.  Fiona Bruce was one of those shoots - shot a few months before the Covid pandemic came and changed the world forever.

Fiona came in at the agreed time, full of energy, and settled down in the basement studio under a trendy Haggerston cafe in East London.  I asked if we could get her anything and she had already clocked the pastry in the cafe on the ground floor, wanting it accompanied by a weak tea.  I left her to enjoy a little grooming before the shoot. When she stepped in I started talking to her about her early life, getting a little money from modelling for picture stories in the teenage magazine ‘Jackie’.  I was actually genuinely intrigued as I used to see those picture stories around when I was a kid, and it’s such a thing of the past.  Fiona confided in me that she used to love doing them as she could always get people she fancied in to play the male role.

Shot for Observer New Review

Munya Chawawa

The world of lockdown has seen the emergeance of comedians whom have actively used social media and online platforms.  Munya Chawawa is one of these comedians.  He’s best known for his portrayal of the posh rapper called “Unknown P” and the chef “Jonny Oliver”.  Now - Munya is not only online but also the star of TV programs such as “Complaints Welcome”.

As soon as Munya came to the shoot it was evident that music is of great importance to him.  He took over the Spotify playlist and started playing one tune after the other.  

A few set poses but also the freedom to move and jump created the images I wanted.  

Shot for Observer Magazine

Flashback

Old images from the family albums of celebrities replicated today. This month I feature Justin and Dan Hawkins from The Darkness, Gareth Thomas, Jayde Adams and Anastacia.

Shot for The Guardian Saturday Magazine

Stephen Mangan - Happy Christmas!!!

Last time I photographed Stephen Mangan, there was a birthday theme, and this time - the shoot is also a birthday; ‘Christmas’.  Mangan already looked the part as he plays Scrooge in the West End this Christmas.  My job was to bring the tree, snow and some decor.  We made the tree fly, put on as many fairy lights as I could get my hands on and wrapped up some Christmas pressies for him to kick about. 

Happy Christmas and a very Happy 2022 to you too (when it eventually gets here). 

Shot for Observer New Review

Flashback!

The Guardian Weekend Magazine has just had a redesign and relaunched under the new name Guardian Saturday Magazine. With the new redesign they have introduced the weekly feature ‘Flashback’. This weekly feature is about celebrities contributing a picture from the old days and they tell a story about that picture and that time in their lives. I have been been commissioned to do most of these shoots and so far it’s been very challenging but also really fun. Here are the first 4 shoots in the series that I have been involved in, with the help of Andie Redman who is responsible for the props and set:

• Sophie Elis Bextor and mum Janet Ellis

• Pepsi and Shirley

• Sindhu Vee and her dad

• Jamie Lang

Shot for The Guardian Saturday Magazine

Philippa Perry

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

Anoushka Shankar

Anoushka Shankar is not only the daughter of the world’s best known Sitar player but she is also an incredibly talented Sitar player herself. There was an incredibly calm aura about Anoushka as well as being friendly, fun and kind.  Am I right in saying that the feeling of calm goes hand in hand with the image of Sitar?!  Although I think that’s the case, the complexity of playing an instrument like the Sitar should surely make one wired, and not calm.  The sitar, is hugely personal, often custom made, and has an almost religious aura about it.  I had a blanket for this shoot and had to stand above Anoushka to photograph her.  To be able to be on the blanket where Anoushka was playing the sitar, I had to take shoes off.  Not to preserve the state of my blanket, but because I was on the blanket with the Sitar.  A respectful way to treat such a complex instrument.

This shoot was for the Observer Food Monthly so an element of food needed to be included.   As well as turning lettuce leafs into a pattern that would correspond with the pattern of my blanket, I also made a Sitar out of a Squash and had the lettuce leaves on Anoushka’s shoulders, almost like the base of some angel wings. 

Shot for OFM

Nish Kumar

The British have always been good at political comedy and political satire.  I remember being in the UK as a teenager and my granddad always watched Have I Got News For You - (a program that hasn’t changed in over 30 years and is still very good).  There have been many other programs finding the humour in the news and politics especially, and one of the current ones is the Mash Report with Nish Kumar.  Nish is known for Mash Report, but also his stand up comedy and other comedy performances often dealing with politics and news.  

So for this shoot with Nish I started thinking about what I could do to include a bit of humour and visually show that Nish deals with current events, news and politics in his humour.  I started thinking down the lines of using newspapers as props.  We all know the classic newspaper hats - but how about newspaper flowers, newspaper wigs, newspaper chairs and a newspaper cape?!  I spent an evening looking into how to make it all.  Emptied cupboards for tape and glue, found a good arts and crafts shop to get other bits and pieces, and lastly emptied my magazine stand for old newspapers.  

I had planned to have a boys drinks and catchup session with my friends from Norway over zoom.  Instead, I sat there, half chatting on zoom, whilst swearing over the newspaper roses for not doing what I wanted them to do.  I got there in the end, but instead of taking 30 minutes which I had at first thought would be the case, it took 5 hours. (Anyway - now I am an expert in case anyone is looking for someone to create newspaper props.)

Armed with my newspaper props I turned up at the south London studio to prepare the final things.  Nish turned up and we were ready to kick off.  Nice guy!  Just as you see him on TV.  We talked about his A-list friends whom I have worked with (James Acaster and Joel Dommet especially), the cricket club incident - (a live show at the cricket club where he was pelted with bread rolls - and they missed,) and his up and coming comedy show.  All to the backdrop of some slow dance country music.  

Shot for Observer Magazine

Rob Brydon

My first shoot with Rob Brydon was way back when he played the taxi driver Keith Barrett. Since then I have been commissioned by several different publications to photograph him, I’ve shot a live DVD cover with Rob and the poster to his live standup tour. This shoot was promoting a youtube podcast series where he interviews other comedians and celebrities. The show is a result of Covid, and is an entertaining and fun podcast with Rob having a banter with close celebrity friends, comedians and actors he has worked with and knows well.  The beauty with Rob is that his comedy is not loud and in your face.  Working with him is like having a relaxed banter amongst friends with his sharp whit injected into the conversations.  He is a normal family dad, talking of his love for Bruce Springsteen and comedy films such as Daddy’s Home.  He doesn’t keep this part of his life separate from his comedy but incorporates it, and makes it flow as natural as it can be.  No point in taking yourself too serious, as that would only allow for you to be ridiculed by subtle comments perfectly placed.  Always a pleasure working with Rob and I can only hope I will do so many more times in the future. 

Shot for Observer Magazine