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

Grayson and Philippa Perry

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

Sir Peter Blake

Sir Peter Blake is the English pop artist best known for his design of the Beatles album cover Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band - one of the most iconic album covers ever made.  We were invited to his studio in Chiswick to take his portrait.  
Tucked in behind a garage on a residential street was a small door leading into what was an amazingly impressive collection of everything!  the name hoarding would not do it justice as every item in the studio had character, history and said a little about who this Sir Peter Blake is.  At 80 years old, he sat in the only room that was not filled with collectables. We shook hands and then his assistant proceeded to show me the rest of the studio. Sir Peter Blake's assistant started by showing me his desk which was the backdrop of one of the shots.  As we ventured in to the many small rooms in the old gallery space, we discovered room after room filled with all kinds of items. Lots of Elvis paraphernalia, pictures of boxers, dolls, railway tracks, ethnic items and many more things. I felt a little like I was walking into the set where the first innocent and nice Gremlin was discovered and bought in the film 'Gremlins'. What better place could there possibly be to shoot Sir Peter Blake?  The place was a perfect reflection of what Sir Peter Blake's work is all about. The studio was a collage of items - all logically placed for Sir Peter Blake whilst a bystander might find it hard to see the logic in the filing.  It was a museum without the displays. The man himself was a modest, kind and knowledgeable man who showed great passion and affection for every item in his studio.  As if every item played an important roll in order for the studio to function - it was just like every person, item, flower and instrument paid an important roll in 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' album cover in order to make it the iconic cover we all know today.