Some nominees from the British Independent Film Awards photographed in London
Photographed for Observer New Review
Katherine Waterson - The End We Start From
Nabhaan Rizwan - In Camera
Nathan Stewart Jarrett and George MacKay - Femme
Priya Kansara - Polite Society
Vivian Oparah and David Jonsson - Rye Lane
Mia McKenna-Bruce - How To Have Sex
Tim Minchin in London
Commissioned by Observer Magazine
Joe Lycett is not only a funny comedian, but he has a great ability to turn the aggressors into victims. Many big companies, parking enforcement offices, fraudsters and even the government have been on the receiving end of Joe’s sharp wit and ability to turn the tables. His latest letter was a fake leak of the Sue Grey report - the report that is supposed to shed light on the many parties held by the government offices during Covid lockdown. So - to show how Joe turns the tide around and make the aggressors the victim, I chose to have him photograph me whilst I photograph him. I found that to be a representation of the kind of humour that Joe is known for. I also wanted to create a setup that hinted to the Sue Grey/Partygate incident. I had an idea of writing letters on balloons and having them turn into an anagram of, for example “Downing Street Party”. However, the anagrams for this and many other things I tried weren’t really relevant. In Joe’s fake report leak he referred to ‘Downing Street’ as ‘Down It Street’ - and this became what I tried to show instead. By taking the ‘ing’ off ‘Downing’, popping the ‘g’ and turning the ’N’ into a ’T’ - Joe had successfully turned ‘Downing’ into ‘Down it’. And the street balloons remained.
Lastly, I just wanted to create fun, interesting and colourful images that didn’t have any concepts connected to them.
Joe was brilliant! Fun, down to earth, easy to talk to and followed and contributed to my instructions.
Shot for Observer Magazine
Evanna Lynch became famous through the Harry Potter series where she played Luna Lovegood - the best character name since Honor Blackman played Pussy Galore in a James Bond film. She fit her character in the Harry Potter films so well that even JK Rowling has named her as her favourite, or at least most accurately portrayed out of the film series. Since then she has made noticeable performances on stage and on screen. As well as becoming a prominent activist for animal rights and veganism she has also been a very important figure in promoting healthy self-esteem and body image for young girls, due to her own struggle with Anorexia Nervosia. The latter was also the subject of her memoir published last year, ‘The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting: The Tragedy and Glory of Growing Up’ - for which I was commissioned to take pictures of Evanna to be used on the book sleeve and to promote the book.
Evanna was such a dream to work with. She was modest and softly spoken, kind and fun. Working with Evanna was like working with a good friend. A steady but easy pace, filled with interesting conversations about her experiences, success and struggles. Talking about such issues as eating disorder from the perspective of having experienced it yourself takes enormous courage - and Evanna does this with brutal honesty.
Shot for Headline Publishing
It’s always lovely working with Monica Galletti - even if it is a shoot at the end of a full day of filming, at the back end of a ‘red eye’ flight. She’s a true pro that always delivers. This shoot - a commercial shoot for Singleton Whisky - allowed me to step into the film set and shoot her in the surroundings that had already been used for the moving imagery. More from Monica and her collaboration with Singleton to come.
Shot for Bridge Studios/Singleton Whisky
This shoot with Sarah Solemani took place just around the corner from where I live. Although Sarah is now based in LA, she grew up in Hackney, London. The backdrop for this shoot was Ridley Road Market, now a bustling culturally diverse market - but once the battleground for the 62 Group, a collection of anti-fascists who stood up against the rising Neo-Nazi movement in Britain after WW2. This conflict was the basis of Sara Solemani’s BBC drama, based on the book Ridley Road by Jo Bloom.
The film deals with a part of history that I did not know about before Sarah told me about it. What is now such a culturally diverse community and market is miles away from the Neo-Nazi conflict of post war Britain.
This shoot was more a matter of walking through the market with Sarah, searching for backdrops that I felt would be suitable as we went along. Sarah, nice and relaxed in what is an environment she is used to from her younger days, easily chatted to me and the people in the market alike. One man proposed to her and I got invited to hang out in LA with her! - no doubt in my mind that Sarah is as nice as they come.
Shot for Observer New Review
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
It’s not every day you get a call to ask if I’m interested in photographing the creators behind Ghostbusters: “We’ve got a shoot with the Jason and Ivan Reitman - and they’re bringing the ghostbuster car and a couple of Proton Packs.” I know - it might not mean much to many of you, but if you grew up in the 80’s you’ll know all about the Ghostbusters, the Cadillac and the Proton Packs. Ghostbusters 2, also directed by the original director Ivan Reitman came out not long ago, but this 3rd film was directed by Ivan’s son Jason. So - there I was, in the backstreets of Soho with a couple of Proton Packs, (ghost busting guns for you who are not familiar with the films) in a hotel room and the Ghostbusters car in a small alleyway on the side of the hotel. I picked the alleyway because of its proximity to the hotel but also because it had a city vibe - without giving away what city it was. The first thing we found in the alleyway was a dead rat without a head. Nothing like a headless rat to set the scene for a Ghostbusting experience. (I did decide on cleaning this up before inviting the Reitmans over though - maybe a little too real for a Friday morning?!). I managed to get a local office to open its doors for me to get some electricity to start up the smoke machine, brought out some gels and then prepped the car for the Reitmans to cruise on into the shot.
Ivan and Jason turned up and I was ready. I placed them in the car and shouted “smoke!” No smoke came - and a look of panic spread along the photography team. The woman who had let us use the electricity socket had unplugged the smoke machine without letting us know and left the building. I started shooting whilst the assistants knocked on every door until they found a socket. The images I had hoped for were now finally coming in.
10 minutes later we had to rush up to the hotel room to get the Proton Packs shots. I had prepped the proton Packs with lights and was ready to explore with long shutter speeds to get the laser beams working. Consistency and authenticity was of great importance for Jason but we got there in the end. 10 minutes later, all ghosts were busted and the Reitmans could leave the building. Phewwww. All I now had to do was to pack my equipment down and dispose fo 15 ghosts stuck in my Ghostbuster trap and safely dispose of them in the Echo-Containment System. The problem is I’m not sure where the Echo-Containment System is so I’ll keep them under my bed for now….
Shot for G2
Many people have managed to sail through this epidemic without any major loss. Of course, we have all felt it to some degree, but some of us have really felt the impact. Kate Garraway is someone who has really suffered from having a loved one contracting Corona virus. Her husband, diagnosed early on in this epidemic, was in a coma for 11 months and is still suffering from issues related to Covid. Kate has always been very honest about her experience and shared her story with the world. In this book Kate talks about her experience watching someone you love suffer from Covid and the terrible effects it can have on people and the family of the effected. A pleasure working with Kate on this cover, where I was trying to show the vulnerability of Kate as well as her strength and resilience when faced with a terrible personal struggle.
Shot for Penguin Random House
This Anna Jones shoot took place about a year ago, but I never got around to posting it before now. As we’re in January, all struggling through the New Years resolution to get a little healthier and help the environment, I thought there would be no better person to start the year off with than Anna Jones. As far as I am concerned, Anna has written the bible of vegetarian cooking “A Modern Way to Eat”, a book she has followed with her “One Pot, Pan, Planet”. The latter is a book that does not only encourage vegetarian cooking but also how we can cook in a more environmentally friendly way. This shoot was to support an OFM article about Anna Jones and her work as one of UK’s most cherished vegetarian cook book writers.
Shot for OFM
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
This was my last shoot of 2020 and, as this ‘Christmas thing’ is quite an obvious seasonal, I haven’t had the chance to share it before now.
Samuel brought his chilli jam, something all his friends and family fondly receives every year. (He also gave me a jar and it was TASTY!)
Shot for Observer Food Monthly
Dame Eileen Atkins, winner of a BAFTA, EMMy award and Olivier Award, was appointed the Commander of the Order of the British Empire and Dame Commander of the Order of British Empire. Now - how’s that for an opening sentence on your Wikipedia page?!
The thing about Eileen (and yes - I was told to drop the Dame when I spoke to her so I continue on a more casual first name basis here too), is that she is so casual and pleasant to deal with. Her place, a wonderful and charming house in the West London, is a long way away from where she grew up, as the daughter of a meter reader in Tottenham. She had that charm that comes with the more senior generation of the British acting world. There is a relaxed attitude there, a playfulness. I have seen the same in many of the British traditional actors and actresses. They started acting because they loved the work, not to become famous, and the joy they feel due to living the life they have always wanted to is worn on their sleeves.
Eileen was 100% lovely! Fun, charming, natural and playful - all at once. She has just released her autobiography (up to the age of 30) and I bet it will be a great read. Just seeing the pictures from her young days which are in the book is great fun.
Shot for Observer New Review
First time I worked with Rav was for a mothers-day shoot. I was commissioned to photograph her, her mum and her grandma in one shot. When they turned up I did not only meet very nice, fun and friendly Rav, but her mum and grandma were great characters too. Such a great trio! I have to admit that there was a slight language barrier between Rav’s grandma and me - but somehow the humour and a sense of understanding each other was definitely there.
So - it was with great pleasure that I received a commission to photograph the trio again. This time to coincide with Rav’s new book release - as well as the celebration of light day, Diwali. Rav had also brought some friends over to help enhance the feeling of festivity.
In order to give an impression of us celebrating Diwali - I wanted to create a dark and atmospheric room with candles and food decoration. I was sent props to use and the shoot was to take place in Rav’s place. I was given 2 hours to setup and shoot, but Rav was happy to extend the time a little when I got there. 2 hours was tight, but especially as I got there to see a 3 meter diameter glass dome above the room we were shooting in, and it was a bright sunny day. One thing is to expose the daylight away with flash, but I also needed to bring some atmosphere out with the candles. I took what blankets I had, ripped off the paper backdrop and got ready to cover as much of the glass dome as I could. However - the glass dome was 6 meters above me so the only way to get to it was to climb through a tiny window, in the top end of Rav’s bedroom window, to get to the roof. I am already not a very flexible with my almost 2 meter height, seeing me climb through that window was a sight to behold. (I never knew I could get my knee behind my ears - a move I had to perfect to get out.). I covered what I could of the window and got on with setting up the grand Diwali celebration table with the props I had. We managed to create a setting that had some of the intended atmosphere. Rav’s friends and family were not only lovely to work with, but managed to look and act relaxed and festive.
Rav comes across as a nice and friendly person when on TV. Having met Rav on several occasions now, I can truly vouch for her being the friendly, fun, and a sparkly, kind person. Having met her friends and especially her family, also gives a depth to understanding who Rav is, and she is exactly as you would hope from seeing her on TV.
I hope to work with Rav again, and if her mum and grandma is there too then that’s a-ok with me. Maybe next time we’ll get them all posing as Charlie’s Angels. I can especially see Rav’s grandma Biji getting into that…
Shot for Waitrose Food Magazine
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
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
It’s not every day you get an invite to Elton’s fairytale mansion. Of course, the invite would have been a little more special had it been an invite for lunch, but I’ll settle for an invite to photograph Elton in his place. It is however really unfortunate that we are in Covid times, as the restrictions on where we could shoot meant we were could only shoot outside. I can only imagine how dazzling the inside of his house would be.
Elton is helping promote the artist John Grant, so the shoot was of the two together. Not much time and restricted to one setup, but we managed to get a backdrop up, battle the summer breeze and plow through the summer heat. Admittedly my face mask at the end bore proof of the heat and the rush to get it all done in the allocated time.
It was a shoot with tinted sunglasses, Gucci outfits and Talk-Talk T-shirts, Rolex watch and Doctor Martin boots.
Elton was friendly and professional. He knew what was expected of him. John was genuinely humble, kind and lovely to work with. Next time I hope to get to shoot them individually. Not just one frame on a 10X8 analogue camera (which I managed to squeeze in) - but two whole shoots with them individually. But as I started off saying - with Elton you take what you can get.
Shot for the Observer New Review
