Johnny Marr

Its a great day when you walk into a studio, knowing you ‘re going to photograph a guitar legend like Johnny Marr.  The Smiths were an important part of my teenage years and a key figure behind that was the one and only Johnny Marr.  He was as cool as they come, but not arrogant in any way.  If anything I’d say he was modest, interesting to talk to and pretty chilled.  I had a few different ideas that I ran past him and, although he did hesitate a few seconds as I pulled out the acoustic 1/2 size guitar, he agreed to pretty much everything.  Even though he has his own guitar brand he didn’t object to posing with a cheap acoustic guitar, but he was hesitant due to the size.  “I’m not a fan of these small guitars some artists bring out” - a fair and just explanation to why he didn’t want to hold the guitar at least. 

Shot for Observer New Review

Dennis Bovell

One of my favourite films in the last decade is “Lovers Rock” by Steve McQueen.  In that film there is a scene where they are dancing at a party to the song “Silly Games”.  The dance scene is the whole of the song.  It is not only a brave scene to film, but it is so powerful.  And the cornerstone of the scene is the song Silly Games by musician and producer, Lover’s Rock legend, Dennis Bovell.  I met up with Dennis in a park near Tottenham Stadium.  We timed it so we could complete the shoot before the school finishes and hundreds of kids take over the quiet park.  Well - that is almost all kids were at school.  Two kids did come over and insisted on standing between me and Dennis for a while before their mum finally came and got them to move along.  

Dennis - such a chilled guy.  He has been all over the world and played music, he’s helped produce many albums and lastly, he’s been the king of Lover’s Rock!  I bet he’s probably responsible for many hookups as couples find each other on the dance floor dancing to his smooth tunes.  

Such a pleasure to work with Dennis. A man of many tales, but he didn’t brag.  Seemingly just an ordinary guy in Tottenham, however, the success he’s experienced is more than many of us could wish for.

Ledge’!

Shot for Observer Magazine

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