Katherine Ryan

When Katherine was asked what she does on the panel show ‘Don’t Hate The Playaz’ she said ‘comedian and Hooter waitress’.  That’s certainly not all she is though.  Not many comedians can carry off being photographed for a fashion feature in national magazines, be funny on stage (and off stage) and be considered to be knowledgable about the hip hop scene.  Oh - did I mention that this shoot was just after Katherine had given birth to her second child.  Boom! If anyone can do it, Katherine can.

Both shoots I have done with her have been fashion lead.  This time we had the pleasure of dressing her up in a diamanté dress that weighed a ton as well as other great colourful and vibrant outfits from great designers.  Katherine had the attitude of a model - I just wear what Jennifer Michalski-Bray (the stylist) tells me to.  This was however not a fashion shoot and not a straight shoot of a comedian - but an attempt to find a good middle ground. 

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

Romesh and Leesa Ranganathan

It’s not everyday you get an invite to photograph someone in their bed with their wife.  Especially not a celebrity, at least not in my line of photography.  Ok - so I’ve worked with Romesh Ranganathan 3 times before, but working with Romesh and his wife Leesa in bed, sounded like it could potentially be a recipe for crossing personal boundaries. PJ’s were in place - so everything respectable, but still an insight into the domestics.  I didn’t hang out in the bedroom for a week to catch the natural ambience of the Ranganathan marital bedroom, but we staged it to illustrate Ranganathan’s article about what it is to be his wife, the receiving end of many of Romesh’s comedy standup shows. 

Both were fun to work with, a true testament to how genuine Romesh is in his comedy and performances.  

We parted ways with an elbow five, and a promise that the next job would be traveling to Wuhan, China.  

Shot for The Guardian Weekend Magazine