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

 
 

Rob Brydon

I perceived the smile on Rob’s face as he walked in the room where the shoot was to take place, as a welcoming and ‘pleased to see you’ smile. We’ve worked together on 4 different occasions now and we have always got on. The thing with being a photographer is that it’s easy to get on before publication, but if the sitter doesn’t like what’s in print then the dynamics may change on the second shoot and trust may be lost. It is therefore I always look for tell tell signs as we meet for a second, third, fourth or fifth time. I got the distinct feeling that I was safe. Rob would not turn and walk out from disappointment of the previous shoot results. In fact, it only took a few minutes before he complimented me on the images from the previous shoot.

When we met Rob had one last performance of his 2 month run of the farce Painkillers. I expected a run down and exhausted Rob, but he was in top form. Filled with energy and quick witted comments. It was in fact the best I have seen him. More confident and more relaxed. Rob has performed in some of Britain’s best sitcoms in the last 10 years, he has presented panel shows, done voice overs, live shows and theatre. This is a man who can truly tackle all aspects of the world of entertainment and be much loved for his contributions. I look forward to the next time we stand face to face, to see what he will think of this set of images. Or do I?