grayson perry — Blog

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

It’s now the 6th time I have had the pleasure of working with Grayson Perry. And this time it was so good that I did it twice. This shoot with Grayson was looking at the issue of identity. He’s presenting the program for Channel 4 on the issue of Identity as well as curating the exhibition on the same theme currently on at the National Portrait Gallery. What better person to ask about identity than the Turner prize winner, also known for occasionally cross dressing. The series has come off to a great start and is well worth the watch.

The idea for the shoot was to shoot Grayson on two different days with comparable poses. One day dressed as Claire and the other as Grayson. The issue with this is of course to try to get the light to be the exact same and exact same but mirrored. It was never to be 100% accurate but I like the small differences as well as it makes it slightly more genuine and reveals that the images are not just ‘flipped’.

My previous shoots with Grayson (http://palhansen.com/index.php/whos-that-girl/) have all been different. I have to admit that when I first met Grayson I was not sure what I thought of him, but like the best music, the best food, the best art and the best friends I have - they warm to you more and more each time and eventually become one of my favourites.