Tim Minchin

Tim Minchin in London

Commissioned by Observer Magazine

Flashback

Old images from the family albums of celebrities replicated today. This month I feature Justin and Dan Hawkins from The Darkness, Gareth Thomas, Jayde Adams and Anastacia.

Shot for The Guardian Saturday Magazine

Flashback

The Flashback series for the Guardian Saturday Magazine continues, and here are four of the latest shoots that have been published. My shoots replicate images of celebrities from their younger days.  

Here we have JLS, Sadie Frost with her mum Mary, AJ and Curtis Pritchard and Vick Hope with her mum Ade

Shot for Guardian Saturday Magazine

Elton John and John Grant

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

Slowthai

Slowthai is the kind of subject that is a real treat to shoot.  Maybe not at first glance, but as soon as you have him in front of the camera you realise his ability to give you his all.  He brings both humour and attitude to the images.  He is Rap, punk and rock at the same time.  Short hair and expressive eyes.  He’s a bit like how I would have expected Johnny Rotten to be 40 years ago, but I’d hazard a guess that Slowthai is more approachable and friendly.  

Before this shoot I took some time to catch up on Slowthai’s music videos.  It was evident that he put a lot of emphasis on imagery and humour.  When I got access to his studio, a warehouse/storage unit style building in Northampton, we saw many of the props that were used in his videos.  As this was to promote Slowthai’s new album, we steered away from this, and found an empty shell of a room a little further down the hall.  Dusty, shelves half destroyed, old sofa and chairs and some doors off the hinges, I immediately fell in love with the location.  We started the shoot here before continuing onto an estate-style square with boarded up shops not far away from the studio. 

Such a fun guy to work with - and his music and music videos, his creative talent and strong political voice is all to be respected.

Shot for Observer New Review

Hannah Peel

I met Hannah for the first time, over Skype in the end of the first lockdown in 2020.  Hannah had agreed to take part in my personal project Rear View Window, photographing people in isolation due to Covid, from around the world.  I instantly warmed to Hannah.  She has one of those personanilities that instantly makes you feel welcome, even if she is 500 miles away in the north of Ireland, and not there in front of me in person.  We spoke a little about her great work as a musician and radio host, before I directed her around her house in Belfast.  Her house was like a musician’s dream - filled with sound proof rooms, mixing tables, microphones , piano, harp and other instruments.  The view was of the Irish sea. What’s not to like?!

It was such a surprise to get a message from Hannah a few months later saying that the Observer were going to do a feature on her and she’d asked her PR to suggest me to take the portrait for the feature.  

A week later, Hannah was in London for a 48 hour trip, to record with an orchestra.  One day was set aside for the shoot, but unfortunately London was in total lockdown, and the weather forecast was 100% rain.  Oh!!!  

Hannah and I talked, I suggested a few places where we might find some cover, but that were not very relevant to Hannah or her work.   Hannah eventually suggested that we could get access to a music shop in North London called Audio Gold.  Talk about a perfect venue!  It had the retro recording equipment from the same period that Hannah sampled on her new album Fir Wave.  As Hannah explains:

“The specialist library label KPM, gave me permission to reinterpret the original music of the celebrated 1972 KPM 1000 series: Electrosonic, the music of Delia Derbyshire and the Radiophonic Workshop.”

I turned up to the shop an hour before Hannah.  The place was filled with second hand record players, amplifiers, speakers, vinyls and anything else you can imagine that has to do with music.  It is a treasure trove for all music enthusiasts.  A place where all your dreams come true, and the people who work there have the knowledge and are friendly enough to care.  It was a perfect fit for Hannah.  Not only is Hannah someone who is knowledgable about all instruments and how to combine them with technology, but her passion for all things ‘sound’ fits right in with the ethos of the shop.  (And I managed to buy myself a vinyl of the live album Live at Carnegie Hall - Bill Withers - I love it!)

Hannah seemed like a good friend from the first word we spoke, remotely over Zoom.  We’ve kept in touch since - and although we have only spoken a few times, it feels like I’ve known her for ages.  Some people just make you feel at ease when you speak to them, and Hannah is just one of those people.  Apart from the good news that Hannah has released the album Fir Wave - she is now also back on the air waves with her radio show Night Tracks - a show that gives that nice comforting feeling.    

Shot for Observer New Review  

Anoushka Shankar

Anoushka Shankar is not only the daughter of the world’s best known Sitar player but she is also an incredibly talented Sitar player herself. There was an incredibly calm aura about Anoushka as well as being friendly, fun and kind.  Am I right in saying that the feeling of calm goes hand in hand with the image of Sitar?!  Although I think that’s the case, the complexity of playing an instrument like the Sitar should surely make one wired, and not calm.  The sitar, is hugely personal, often custom made, and has an almost religious aura about it.  I had a blanket for this shoot and had to stand above Anoushka to photograph her.  To be able to be on the blanket where Anoushka was playing the sitar, I had to take shoes off.  Not to preserve the state of my blanket, but because I was on the blanket with the Sitar.  A respectful way to treat such a complex instrument.

This shoot was for the Observer Food Monthly so an element of food needed to be included.   As well as turning lettuce leafs into a pattern that would correspond with the pattern of my blanket, I also made a Sitar out of a Squash and had the lettuce leaves on Anoushka’s shoulders, almost like the base of some angel wings. 

Shot for OFM

Loyle Carner

Loyle Carner has given Hip Hop a good name! This is a man who's created some of the most distinctive Hip Hop music of 2017/2018, yet he's modest, kind and he cares! He himself has suffered with ADHD and Dyslexia and now works with kids that struggle the same issues, helping them get into cooking. Not many people who become successful stay as grounded as Loyle, and it is blatantly obvious when you meet him. The best music is created by people who are passionate and care, so there is no doubt to me that Loyle has only scratched the surface. Being as caring and conscious about others as Loyle is, we are bound to hear more music with deep meaning in the years to come.

Shot for The Observer Food Monthly

Jeff Goldblum

I often get asked, “Who would you most like to photograph?” and I always hesitate and at times lack an answer. The question is hard because you want to meet people for different reasons. It may be that meeting someone you respect would be great, but it doesn’t mean they are great to photograph. However, as soon as I heard I was photographing Jeff Goldblum I had a lightbulb moment. A moment when I thought “YES! - That’s a guy I’d love photograph.” I think that pretty much sums up my relationship with Goldblum; I love him, his work, his style, but he doesn’t consciously appear in my mind as a favourite unless mentioned.

When I also heard that he was releasing a Jazz album, I was double excited. This guy could possibly be my dream BFF, (an abbreviation I thought I’d never use). Soon after, I listened to the live recording and I was not disappointed. Jeff isn’t just an actor who’s used his time waiting between sets to tinker with a piano, later to convince himself that he was amazing. No, Jeff’s got it! His album will be well received by jazz musicians and Jeff fans alike.

So, Jeff would surely fall at the last hurdle - the shoot. He could surely not be just an all around good guy with a bucket full of talent? The shoot was to be a jam + interview with the food critic/jazz pianist Jay Rayner. My part was to photograph the two together, jamming, as well as to get a moment with Jeff on his own. I was prepared to be disappointed, as there was surely no way he could impress from the already high expectations I had. I was wrong. The man was cool with a capital “C” and 10 x ‘o’s. A smooth cat, groovy dude, fun gent and handsome as hell! I had a moment standing on top of the piano, photographing Jay and Jeff from above to get all 4 hands, keys and the two pianist in one shot. I was stomping my foot to Herbie Hancock’s Cantaloup Island whilst trying to get a shot. I wanted to be in Jay’s place, crossing arms with Jeff and playing sweet music. Is this a man crush I’m feeling? Blush….

Shot for The Observer Magazine

Lily Allen

On one of the first sunny, warm days of the year I found myself down in a dark basement photography studio in Haggerston. Just as well, as working when it’s too hot can slow things down, and this shoot was going to be a busy one. (Also because I am Nordic and prefer working when there’s a bit of a chill - like an igloo.) Lily arrived with a full entourage. A full team to help create three very different looks in one hour. Lily has gone from a soft, innocent and playful image, to a harder, more mature fashionable one, since she made it big just a little over 10 years ago. My shoot was for The Observer New Review, same mother publication as Observer Music used to be under, the publication that helped launch Lily’s career back in the beginning.

The shoot with Lily boarded onto playfulness, but it felt as Lily never let completely go. Maybe she felt restricted by experience and the need to have control of the image which is portrayed, but there were moments when the guard came down and it felt like Lily let go - like a beam of light through the slight opening of a door. She has been through the tabloid mill, something that would make any person cautious. (And why would she roar like a lioness just because I demand it?) The moment she let go however she showed a playful and fun Lily which is what I had hoped for. But the serious and more restrained part of Lily reminded me of working with her dad Keith Allen whom I have photographed a couple of times.

Lily was great in getting into the roles of the outfits she was wearing. Like a chameleon she moved from free flow movements in a back lit, free flowing colourful outfit - to - giving Dizzee Rascal a visual nod by mimicking the bull’s horns when crouching in a corner - to - finally bringing a bit of Punk to the table (or as Tony Bell from The Observer remarked when discussing the results - it’s Keith Flint meets Bjørk).

Dave Stewart

It is not every day you get a personal performance by a world renowned guitarist and even rarer to get one from the legend Dave Stewart himself. That was the case on this shoot at his private members club The Hospital. (By that I mean he owns the club and opened it before any of the other big members clubs in London. The intention was to have a place where creative minds could get together and talk creativity….) Yes, it was about half way during the shoot, moving away from the green backdrop to the tree lined wallpaper backdrop. Dave had gone to change clothes and came back with a new outfit, a VOX amp and a shiny Fender Shop Customised Strat. The guitar was a work of art in itself; shiny metal body with a woman engraved on it. We set up in the corner a little area where he could pose with guitar and amp. I have to admit that I was a little wary to shoot him with guitar and amp as it can sometimes seem a little obvious and staged. That was until he turned the thing on. He pumped the volume up to 11 (out of 10) and went straight into playing his own tunes, (and a little Jimmy Hendrix), before returning to his own tunes again. It is at that moment you realise what it takes to be a world class guitarist. The music filled the room (and the rest of the members club could also hear it through the closed door). A woman with a baby asleep in the dining area had supposedly asked a waiter if they could turn it down. (The waiter just looked at her, realising it was Dave Stewart playing and Dave Stewart’s club, and said ‘no’.) I was quite aware that the images taken at this time would probably not be my favourite from the shoot, but I kept the flash triggering, I kept shooting, I wanted to keep Dave feeling that the shoot was happening in order for him to keep on playing.

Dave Stewart, not just because of the event mentioned above, was a lot nicer than I had expected. He has always seemed to me to be the quiet, serious guy from Eurythmics, but his legacy expands far beyond Eurythmics, and his personality was colourful and vibrant. The hat and glasses remained on - a part of what has given him the serious image - and when I asked him if he could remove the glasses for a couple of shots he replied: I haven’t worn these glasses for decades to remove them now… “Fair enough!” I replied.

Brett Anderson

I knew from the word “go” that a shoot with Brett Anderson from Suede had great potential. He has always been a man of style. From his glam days as a lead singer in Suede until today, he’s stayed true to his cool image. Although a little toned down now from his younger days, his skinny jeans and sleek look is still a strong look. So, when deciding how to shoot Brett I was determined to move away from stereotypical “male imagery” and brought in pink, pink and more pink. I made an educated guess that he’d be wearing black and if anyone could make pink overload work, then it would be Brett. Brett famously described himself as “a bisexual man who never had a homosexual experience” - so the femininity that is traditionally, (and I emphasise the word ‘traditionally’) associated with pink would surely pass.

I also chose to have a second setup playing with lots of different colour gel, an idea I had, giving a visual nod towards the late 80’s and the glam period that saw Suede at their biggest.

Brett came in to the room and didn’t flinch at the big pink backdrop and pink chair. He introduced himself with confidence and introduced a small selection of outfits. Brett was engaged in the image process and showed great interest in the images. Not in a critical and disapproving way, but agreed with the direction and let me know his own favourites.

Great man to work with, bringing both style and character to the shoot.

Observer New Review

Gene Simmons

I checked out a little about the legend Gene Simmons before I went to shoot him in a small hotel room in Soho. It was obvious that this was a man who knew about marketing himself and I was prepared for it. I expected logos, books, action figures and all other merchandise that could point us in his direction, and if needed I would negotiate a golden middle way. However, all that was in the hotel room was a safe/vault, (his new ultimate record collection comes in the form of a vault,) and nothing else. I quite liked the vault, included it in one of my setup ideas and Gene entered the room.

Gene was a taller than I expected. A handshake soon changed into a fist bump and off to the wonderful world of Gene we went. He took the Mick out of the cockney accent, with a not tooooo bad of an impression. (It’s the first time I have heard an American criticise the Brits for not pronouncing their ’t’s’.) His playlist, played off his phone, was unexpected, finishing with a tune that left us all speechless, with goosebumps and a tear in the eye. If you don’t react to Nat King Cole’s rendition of Charlie Chaplin’s song ‘Smile’ then you are cold as ice.

The shoot didn’t feel as a shoot in many ways. I didn’t control the timings as I had Gene’s attention for a couple of minutes before he’d decided he’d had enough of that setup. Don’t get me wrong, Gene was generous with his time, he just didn’t want to hang around for that infamous ‘just one more shot’. It was then for me to move around and try something else, and again he would accommodate and contribute for a couple more minutes, and so it went. 10 min chat and laughs followed by a couple of minutes photography. At the end I had to ask - ‘bathtub??’ - and in he went. No water though, that may have been going too far, and as he was still in his rock outfit, it would leave him wet for the rest of the day. Anyway, I wasn’t really aiming to show Gene in the bath getting clean, but wanted more to create a “rock’n roll” image, giving a hint to the rock star that finds himself in the bathtub at the end of a hard night.

Gene’s team was present, hoping he wouldn’t be too vocal on certain issues and in the hope that their presence may prevent Gene from telling a few un-pc jokes. It may have restricted him a little but a Willie Nelson joke was still served on a silver platter in exchange for a promise not to publish it. The manager was urging Gene not to say it as ‘It’s a delicate climate nowadays and we all have to watch what we say.’ I can imagine that the manager has his work cut out trying to keep Gene on the right side of political correctness, but where would Rock rock be if they obeyed by the rules of Political Correctness and health and safety?

Bill Bailey

Some comedians should come with a warning sign and some come with a sign saying “does what is says on the tin”. Bill is the latter. Bill is a man that’s just naturally interested and inquisitive. He is smarter than Einstein on an Omega 3 overdose, funnier than a pie in the face, and has more musical talent than a Mozart with 4 hands. Unfair really that all the talents have gone to one man when so many people have nothing at all.

This shoot was at his office, a home converted into a make shift storage/office space. It's hard to miss the larger than life cardboard cutouts of Bill, books, paintings, a couple of birdcages that are big enough to hold an albatross, plenty of plastic flowers and plastic trees, instruments, staff taking bookings for his upcoming tour, bicycle and many more things. Bill is a true hoarder, but a hoarder of the weird and wonderful. The place was a good representation of what it must be like to be in Bill’s mind; busy, filled with plenty of knowledge about everything unusual and fun…. and birds.

Shot for The Observer Magazine

Noel Gallagher

It seems a life time ago since I photographed Noel for the first time, and as far as my photography career is concerned, then it probably was. Last time I was restricted to a small boardroom, so it was a pleasure to have a whole studio space to play with. Noel rocked up that late Monday afternoon, (I don’t know if Noel can actually just ‘arrive’ at a destination - he is most certainly a ‘rocked up’ kinda guy). Guitar in hand and looking sharp, even though he himself said he was knackered having just had a whole weekend of events. One of them being the Manchester memorial concert “We Are Manchester”, where he was amongst a group of musicians invited to play at the reopening of Manchester Arena after the terror attack in May. And what better act to reopen a space like Manchester Arena after a tragedy than Noel and “Don’t Look Back in Anger”. The tune is not only personal to Gallagher but also rings true in so many situations.

The shoot itself was casual. We talked about love for South America, particularly Buenos Aires, his new album and life in general. It was the kind of chilled shoot that should allow for a sit down and an ice cold Mojito. However, 45 minutes and a few setups to work through meant no time for play. And I am sure that after a busy weekend Noel would rather go home, fill the bathtub with some bubbles and gobble up the caviar, than sit and chat to some photographer at a random studio. Maybe I’ll suggest bathtub and caviar for the next shoot?!

Shot for Sunday Times Culture

Hans Zimmer

I wasn't sure who Hans Zimmer was when I got the call from the lovely Ronnie Weil to see if I could do the job. I looked it up and found out that he is probably one of the most prolific film music composers around. He has written the sound track to Lion King, Gladiator, The Last Samurai, Crimson Tide, Inception, Interstellar, Inception, 12 Years a Slave and many many more. He is the sound behind so many cinematic experiences I have had, and therefore one of the most influential people in terms of evoking emotions during your cinematic experience. Yet, he is not known to many of us who are not patient enough to read all the credits after a film.

He has now been touring with a full orchestra and performing his work live. I met him back stage at the Wembley arena. A modest and seemingly ordinary man, a man who knows the name of everyone in his orchestra and crew and seems deeply involved in how they are as he shakes hands and asks personal questions to everyone who passes by. A hugely successful man but without an ounce of ignorance or arrogance. Is this a result of success when maintaining a great deal of anonymity, or is it just Hans Zimmer and the man he is?

Bill Bailey

With Bill Bailey, what you see is what you get. He is funny, has an expressive face, eyes that can at times look like they pop out of his head, musically talented and has a bunker in case someone should want to drop a bomb on Hammersmith. (Don’t all you paranoid Hammersmithians go flocking to Bill now to be his friend, I think the bunker will only hold about 3 people at the most.) Bill’s live shows have always been impressive in the way they are constructed, immensely funny, intellectual and wacky, so it was good to see that these characteristics are all represented in Bill as a person. His acts are in fact not really acts, but a projection of himself which is immensely reassuring. In fact, if I had to choose one item and one person to spend dooms day with in a small bunker then Bill and a keyboard would be good contenders. A touch of the ‘Cabin fever’ with Bill could actually work.

Bruce Dickinson

Ask a boy what he wants to be when he grows up and most will answer either a pilot or a rock musician (if not Police and fireman). So it is hard not to be jealous when you meet Bruce Dickinson, the lead singer of Iron Maiden (one of the world’s most successful heavy metal bands in history with over 90 million album sales worldwide) and who also owns Cardiff Aviation Ltd, an aircraft maintenance company that also trains pilots and contracts out flights for different assignments or to other airlines. He has flown the band on tour, one tour which was filmed where he flew the band between continents on flight 666 (the name of the tour and documentary film was “Iron Maiden: Flight 666”). Yes - it sure does seem like Bruce Dickinson has lived the dream of most boys.

The band have just released a new album which was delayed due to Bruce having been diagnosed with mouth cancer, at the back of his tongue. He underwent seven weeks of chemotherapy and radiation therapy and was given the all clear in May 2015.

I met an upbeat, lively and fun Bruce at Cardiff airport. (We were supposed to fly out to Cardiff in a small plane, and Bruce was going to be the pilot, but due to weather I had a 4 hour drive each way instead.) He showed us around his hanger and three flight simulators, spread between Cardiff airport and the military airport next door. An impressive setup and Bruce was full of enthusiasm. I am not sure if this is the enthusiasm that comes with fame, success and the ability to follow your dream, or if it is the enthusiasm of a man who has recovered from one of the most scary diagnosis you can have and is now breathing fresh air with new optimism again. I suspect it’s a little of both.

So when the day was over, after having hung around in big hangars, sat in jet engines and made paper airplanes we found our way to the pub, for a 30 min chill and a pint before all going our own ways. Which brings me to an other significant creation of Bruce - his collaboration with Robinsons to make their fastest and best selling beer ‘Trooper’. Not one they had on tap where we were but still an other arrow to the ‘Man’s man’ bow.

Alt-J

I remember hearing about the band Alt J a few years back. A genius name as it really get’s everybody thinking what it stands for and then trying it out on the keyboard (quietly hoping that it doesn’t erase all content on your computer for good). Buttons pressed, a slight sigh of relief as everything on the screen is as it was but at the same time a slight disappointment to find out that it only produced a small symbol which is not far from a capital A without the legs: ‘∆’

I then looked up what it meant and found out it’s a delta symbol meaning ‘change’ or ‘difference’. The name had again become something unusual and interesting, but maybe not destructive.

The guys have just come out with a second album and it is just as good, if not better than the first one. The second album is always the hardest one if the first one has succeeded but the 3 guys in Alt-J have managed to prove to us all that it was not just beginners luck.

They turned up at my office and the idea was to walk around Hackney for an hour or 2 before setting up for a possible cover shoot inside. The guys were fresh back from holidays and nice and relaxed. A kind of quiet before the big storm which we are now in the middle of, with Alt-J playing on all radio stations and playlists.

The idea of using paint for the cover shot came from seeing the artwork of the new album. The cover is a white cover with some primary colour paint marks on it. The guys were happy to play ball and we we had some fun with paint like we were all Tom Hanks in BIG. The guys didn’t hold back and gave it all.

Joe, Gus and Thom, the members which make up the band Alt-J were surprisingly different. It’s not a likely combination of guys but maybe that’s the magic, maybe that’s what makes Alt-J work so well. As the name indicates too - ‘difference’ is what’s made this triangle of guys into a perfect fit.

Marianne Faithful

It was a little sad to see Marianne at first when I arrived at her Paris flat.  When I met her 2 years ago she was up and about, whilst this time she was slightly less able after having broken her hip a while back.  However, my sadness was short lived as we were met with a sharp mind and quick witted woman with no punches pulled. The flat was new for Marianne and she hadn’t fully moved in yet. She’s been horizontal for several of months which she claims is the reason for her best album in a long time.  (It gave her time to think without interruption.) Francois, Marianne's manager who was also there at the time of the shoot, put the album on, volume up and Marianne’s coarse voice and protesting lyrics did give me a feeling of listening to an album from the 70’s that will last the test of time.  The blues was present both in her voice, lyrics and rhythm.  

When it was time to start the shoot Marianne asked, no - told me!: ‘Be fast and not to faff around’.  Her cane was present and although for many this would be a sign of a disability it worked the opposite way for Marianne.  The cane gave Marianne a stronger presence, a feeling of dominance - the exact feeling you get as soon as Marianne opens her mouth to talk to you.  When Marianne talks - you listen.  Not in a bad way but in an inquisitive, intrigued and fascinated way - for Marianne has many stories and a way of telling them that keeps you listening. The same goes for her last album, the lyrics are essential.  

Her most known album “Broken English” has her smoking a cigarette on the album cover.  Now she’s taken that image into the 21st century and replaced the cigarette with a vaporiser and the “Broken English” with a “Broken Hip”.  A wonderfully interesting woman.