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

Gareth Thomas

Having grown up in Norway, I have to admit that Rugby has never been on my radar.  However, having married a Welsh woman, the game came as part of the parcel.  I still have a hard time getting my head around all the rules, but I have started enjoying watching the game.  I also admire the physicality of the game.  The men and women who play the game sure aren’t afraid of a few bumps and bruises.

Gareth Thomas is welsh by name, and welsh by game!  Yes - one of the most well known and respected Welsh rugby players.  Not only has he shown guts and courage on the pitch, but he has also been open about his sexuality and having been diagnosed as HIV positive.  Gareth has had guts to come forward writing books about his experience, his sexuality and his diagnosis.  This shoot was for Gareth’s last book, a frank tale of his own life and experiences.  

This shoot took place at a golf club in Wales.  We had the changing room to our disposal.  Gareth, was as fun and kind as you’d hope he would be.  It’s a characteristic I find many of the rugby players have photographed are not brash or arrogant, but friendly and forthcoming.  

Shot for Penguin / Ebury Press

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

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

Nick Frost

Working with Nick Frost is like meeting up with a friend.  I’m not claiming that we know each other that well or that he’s my best friend, but the way he greets me, my assistant, and anyone else that’s passing by. He is so amicable that you feel like just hanging out. I’ve worked with Nick a few times and he is still the same person he was a decade ago.  The little change I noticed was a sizeable beard and some knock out sovereign rings.  Oh - and the glasses - enough to make any 70’s male sex icon jealous.

Shot for Observer Magazine

Russell Kane

If there’s a new energy drink company out there looking for a name for their product then I’d recommend ‘Russell Kane’.  I’ve had the pleasure of working with Russell on a couple of occasions and he never holds back.  It is evident in his stand up comedy as well, but the energy doesn’t stop on stage.  For this shoot we were going to create a cover for his book “Russell Kane, Son of a Silverback”.  Russell Kane’s book looks at what it is to be alpha male, gamma male (self-proclaimed), and the relationship between the two.  It’s a moving book filled with irony and plenty of laughs.  Serious and entertaining at the same time - as only Russell can do.  

(Note to London Zoo: Thanks for the loan of the Silverback.  We returned him to Sub-Saharan Africa.)

Shot for Transworld Publishers

Crystal Rasmussen

The variety of my work and the people I work with is what keeps me going. In this case I was commissioned to shoot Tom Rasmussen, aka Crystal Rasmussen at his home in South London. Tom has just written a book called Diary of a Drag Queen and if the Observer Magazine’s feature is anything to go by then it will be a very interesting read.

Tom greeted us as Tom. I was to shoot him without makeup first and then document the process of getting Crystal ready. Tom stood in the doorway of his bedroom smoking a roll up. We set up for the first shot and let Tom go to change into Crystal. Another cigarette break later and he was at his makeup table, layering up makeup like I’ve never seen before. He told me of his struggle of being accepted. Not just by people in small community town of Lancaster, but also from family. His openness and honesty was striking and touching. An other indication that this book will be a must read for all.

I have to admit that I was always sceptical of how he would carry off the look carrying a goatee. The makeup was complete and Tom only had the beard and wig to go. He stepped into his bathroom and a couple of minutes later he stepped out as a redhead with a glittering beard. He’d only gone and completed a look that would put any L’Orêal Paris representative to shame.

Crystal, (just as nice as Tom was btw) enjoyed small cigarette breaks between setups. We had the run of his place and in the end I asked if we could hit the road. Outside, in the middle of the street an older man walked passed and could not help but look, whilst an other lady stopped to ask: “Have you just moved in?” Strange that Crystal never had been noticed by his neighbour before I thought, but as Crystal said - “Daylight is a drag queen’s worst enemy”. It all made sense. This is of course a night time look, dedicated to the fun of the midnight hour.

Shot for The Observer Magazine