Laura Kuenssberg

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

Laura Kuenssberg was the face of BBC news when it came to the politics of Brexit.  She is the one that took centre stage interviewing politicians.  She headed a Brexit podcast discussing constant changes and process in the negotiations.  She always comes across as serious, cut throat and a woman who gets straight to the point.  I expected nothing else on this shoot either, but met a more relaxed and friendly Laura.  Having just received the withdrawal agreement, Laura settled down in a corner of the room reading it through, page by page, waiting for me to set up.  This is a woman who’s life has been totally consumed by Brexit for several of years.  Late nights, early mornings, press conferences after press conferences and interviews after interviews.  Laura had no break.  Considering that the leadership changed hands two times after the Brexit results in 2016, Laura could be accused for being the one who knew more about the day to day dealings than anyone else, including prime ministers.  

Shot for Guardian Weekend Magazine

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

Stephen Graham and Jodie Comer

There are few actors I am more excited about at the moment than Stephen Graham and Jodie Comer.  Every role Stephen touches turns to gold.  He mostly plays serious roles, and the intensity and emotions he brings to the parts he plays, hit straight home.  The question with Stephen is; is it him that makes the roles he plays great? - or is he just great at sniffing out the great parts and can take them on with excellence?  Either one is a great talent, and either way still makes Stephen a great actor.  

And then Jodie - mostly known for playing Oksana Astankova in Killing Eve.  She’s still very young so there is no doubt that next time I photograph her, (and I do hope there will be a next time,) I will be able to reel off iconic films and series that she has played in like I am able to do with Stephen if I’m put on the spot.  One thing is for sure already, and that is that Jodi has a great ability to bring herself and character to her roles. 

They are now playing together in the Channel 4 drama ‘Help’, a series that deals with some of the issues that arose due to Covid.  Some may think that it’s too early to watch serious dramas about the social impact of Covid, but this is a gripping and touching drama that will appeal to many.  

At the end of this shoot I also managed to get a frame of 10X8 analogue portrait taken of Stephen and Jodie.  Unfortunately, (being the first time I have tried to do a shot of 10X8 with the time pressures that comes with editorial shoots, and only having two sheets ready to use,) the shot with Jodie had two misfires of the flash and didn’t come out.  However, the shot of Stephen was everything I had hoped for.  

Shot for Observer New Review

Lauren Laverne

Our radio DJs have been saviours for many of us people during lockdown.  This shoot with Lauren Laverne was shot in true Covid lockdown fashion; outside and socially distanced.  Just outside the BBC Radio broadcast building in Central London, we waited,  ready to photograph Lauren as she finished her breakfast show for BBC6 Music.  It was requested that I took some shots of her with the iconic BBC entrance behind her, but when I looked across the street, I saw a building site that made for a much more interesting image.  Especially in contrast with Lauren’s flowery dress.  

Shot for Observer New Review

Rafe Spall

A while back I did a shoot with the brilliant actor Timothy Spall on the roof of a car park.  A very different setting from this shoot with his son, Rafe Spall, in the slightly more slick Big Sky studios.  The rumour was that Rafe didn’t like having his photograph taken much, something I am used to, and is often the case amongst actors.  I had prepared for someone who wasn’t too keen on being there, posing in front of the camera.  I prepared by relying on colours to brighten up the shoot and creating settings that didn’t demand the talent to be hugely active.  However, who I met was a jovial, fun and relaxed Rafe -  Jokey and stylish.  Fun guy with the most perfect South East London accent.  (The kind of accent, that as a foreigner, I find cool and quintessential London.  The kind of accent you only have if you’ve got a pearly king suit to match.)

Rafe is acting in the series ‘Trying” - a light, fun series dealing with the difficult subject of trying for a child, but not succeeding.  In fact - it looks like the filming of a third series is in the pipeline, which is always a sign of a good series with great appeal.

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

Jeremy Vine

Jeremy Vine is one of the nation’s most loved broadcasters. He is the voice of BBC Radio 2’s midday phone in, topical issues show.  The show covers all types of subjects as well as a regular feature about allotments - (who knew the latter would take off??)   Jeremy also hosts topical shows on TV such as the  “Jeremy Vine” show, first aired in 2018.  

I was fairly confident that I’d meet a nice man, but little did I know that he’d be so full of energy, give so much for the camera and be genuinely fun to work with.  I should maybe have realised that he could give the camera some unusual moves after reading some of the comments he got  when participating in Strictly Come Dancing: “a stork that had been struck by lightning”..  

Jeremy totally got where we were trying to go with the shoot..  He played ball and he gave his all.  His body shape allows him to throw out shapes that fit somewhere between slap stick, carry on films, cartoons and high fashion.  Jeremy’s talent is wasted on topical shows and radio - he should be a show man.  Enter a stage with big red curtains rolling back.  He should be at a place where he is able to use his physique and give us a visual show.  Maybe he should have a workout video - although I have the feeling it may break a few backs….

Shot for Event Magazine

Keeley Hawes

I have worked with Keeley Hawes once before and I remember at that time too, her smile and eyes were captivating. She’s just nice to be around and to work with, and has a contagious smile that glows.

The shoot took place at a great and historical venue in Twickenham. In the Octagon Room at Orleans House Gallery we found ourselves surrounded by 10ft windows with shutters all the way to the top with decorative gold edged pillars and walls, an ornate and grand chandelier, statues, fireplace and more. However, the location was one of those where the ornate, grand and beautiful was all placed above the 8ft high and above. It is a location that on paper looks great, but when you get there you soon realise that unless you are looking up someone’s nose, it is hard to get the impression of the location’s grandeur. As well as this, (and I am painfully aware that it may sound like I am a grumpy old man) being surrounded by big glass windows on one of the summer’s hottest days, meant that we were slowly reaching uncomfortably high temperatures. Had it not been for the one small fan we had then I would have melted away and Keeley would have looked like she’d just stepped out of a shower (That is presuming that she perspires like any other human being).

We were both looking forward to our imminent Summer holidays; maybe the heat of the room made us both crave for the ocean with fresh, salty water to cool off in. But also both having a break from busy schedules, although I think Keeley trumps mine with the series Bodyguard only just in the bag and three more series in the making. Amongst acting all of these different roles, it is in fact a miracle that she has any time at all to be herself.

She’s starring in the recent TV drama Bodyguard which you can still catch on BBC catch up. The high suspense drama sees Keeley as the Home Secretary. (Spoiler alert!) A few scenes sees her passionately involved with her bodyguard. The scenes work well, Keeley is an attractive Home Secretary, but imagining the home secretaries of the passed, I find it the idea hard to swallow.

It’s an other quality collaboration, a political thriller between the creator Jed Mercurio and Keeley Hawes. Well worth a watch.

Shot for Sunday Times Culture