Emeli Sande turned up for ‘a Life on a Plate’ shoot at the Observer building. When asked what food she liked, she reeled off a list of healthy vegetables and finished off with Champagne. So what better way to illustrate her preferences than a “Cherry Tomato Necklace”, some “bubbly jewellery” and a high pour champagne serving.
Shot for Observer Food Monthly
Joyce DiDonato is one of the best mezzo-soprano’s around today. (Or lyric-coloratura mezzo-soprano, if I only knew what that means??). I am one of those guys that like Opera when I am introduced to a song through friends or a scene in a film (La Mamma Morta from Philidelphia for example). But if I was to put on an Operatic radio station for example then I am afraid I would probably get lost quite quickly. I would love to have my eyes opened to more of course. Not just be on the band wagon of hits due to some box office film - (so please feel free to send me some Operatic gems).
Now - back to the gracious Joyce DiDonato. This shoot was done at the Royal Opera as she had a couple of performances there. Having read about Joyce and her rise to the top, it is clear that she has fought her way up there and deserves all the recognition she gets. She’s changed her singing style half way through her career, (which I assume is almost like an author changing language). She also slipped on stage during a performance in 2009 and broke her right fibula, but continued hopping during the first act and on crutches during the second act. The remaining five performances she performed from a wheelchair. Opera is to me all about the grandiose performance and I felt there was an element of performance when I photographed Joyce. But there was no feeling of her being an operatic diva. In fact, she was genuine, humble and gracious.
Shot for Observer New Review
Bill Nighy is one of those people you know will be good to shoot. You can easily imagine his tall, lanky body breaking into many different moves, like Elastigirl on a disco dance floor. His characteristic glasses are not to be mistaken and always looks immaculate in a perfectly tailored suit.
Bill was fully engaged and involved in each set up with how he composed himself. He told me that he, (although 70 years old,) would always be the first and last on the dance floor at any party. That comes as no surprise as the shoot itself was almost like a dance, filled with moves and struts.
Shot for Sunday Times Culture
Charitable, good actor and a specialist at being Tony Blair! Did I say he was Welsh too? Michael Sheen was in town and I got to shoot him. This time he had a solid beard, a good head of curls and he was out to promote his new Amazon Prime drama “Good Omens”, where he’s playing the one and only GOD!
Shot for Observer Magazine
It still surprises me that some people have not yet heard about James Acaster. I have, in the last couple of months introduced this comedy genius to at least 10 people, and that is without going from door to door selling him like a Jehovah. He is in my eyes one of the funniest guys around, with his non offensive, quirky, off the wall stand up shows, his nonsensical presence at panel shows, creative humour at it’s best, and dare I say - literary comedy genius. (I am of course only saying this as I have shot his two book covers and hope to have the book go down in history as literary milestone).
Reading James’ Wikipedia, especially the section under Music Career, reads like a part of James’ comedy, and probably is. James has turned his real life happenings into comedy gold and first came to my consciousness as a guest on the Josh Widdicombe show, where he told stories of incidents in his life. This later also became his first book, ‘Classic Scrapes’. For that first book cover, James brought in a lettuce head, something he used to get sent to him by fans relating to something he had mentioned on his podcast. This latter book cover went all out and created a window space for James. This was to give a nod to Leonard Cohen’s last album cover. And in this book - ‘Perfect Sound Whatever’ - James talks of unfortunate incidents in his life and the power of musical a tool of comfort.
Lastly, James is just a brilliant guy to work with. Chilled, funny, genuine and quirky - a perfect mix. You just can’t imagine him not being everyone’s best friend.
Shot for Headline Publishing
I remember photographing Aisling Bea as a part of a bigger group of people just under a decade ago. It was for a feature about people to look out for in different creative industries. Aisling was the comedian to look out for. Many years later, with a few comedy shows under her belt and having been an LOL creator on a few of Britain’s best panel shows, Aisling is now the supporting act in the new Netflix comedy drama “Living with Yourself”. We met up at the Corinthia hotel where she was promoting her new show. Admittedly, we didn’t have the most comfortable shoot planned for her. The first section was to look casual in an empty bath. Whilst the second involved her putting her head and arms through some pre-existing holes in my backdrop, all at slightly misjudged heights. Aisling has either not got accustomed to the high life of celebrity to know she can complain about any discomfort she may experience, or she enjoyed the exercise that came with contorting herself into awkward positions. In any case, she kept the mood up with good old Irish banter and an “anything goes” attitude. One thing’s sure - Aisling totally rocks!
Shot for Grazia Magazine
Working with Nick Frost is like meeting up with a friend. I’m not claiming that we know each other that well or that he’s my best friend, but the way he greets me, my assistant, and anyone else that’s passing by. He is so amicable that you feel like just hanging out. I’ve worked with Nick a few times and he is still the same person he was a decade ago. The little change I noticed was a sizeable beard and some knock out sovereign rings. Oh - and the glasses - enough to make any 70’s male sex icon jealous.
Shot for Observer Magazine
If there’s a new energy drink company out there looking for a name for their product then I’d recommend ‘Russell Kane’. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Russell on a couple of occasions and he never holds back. It is evident in his stand up comedy as well, but the energy doesn’t stop on stage. For this shoot we were going to create a cover for his book “Russell Kane, Son of a Silverback”. Russell Kane’s book looks at what it is to be alpha male, gamma male (self-proclaimed), and the relationship between the two. It’s a moving book filled with irony and plenty of laughs. Serious and entertaining at the same time - as only Russell can do.
(Note to London Zoo: Thanks for the loan of the Silverback. We returned him to Sub-Saharan Africa.)
Shot for Transworld Publishers
Every December there are always a few features that come my way addressing wellbeing and health, ready to be published in January the following year. 2019 was no different. But instead of the normal feature that makes you feel bad about all the self improvement memberships you haven’t signed up for in the New Year, or for those who fell at the ‘will-strength hurdle’ as soon as your friends asked you out for a drink, burger and chips - Romesh Ranganathan tells the story of all the self improvement he has tried but failed at. And maybe it isn’t so bad. So - I took Romesh on a workout in a photography studio. He posed as personal trainer, exerciser, dietician and dieter. A few handfuls of poses in around 4 hours. It might not do much to prevent a heart attack, for talent or photographer, but a shoot like this is bound to release a few beads of sweat.
Shot for The Guardian Weekend Magazine
After having hosted the Elis James and John Robins show on Radio X, Elis and John got offered a show on Radio 5 Live, carrying over many of the same features from their show on Radio X. The two presenters turned up, adamant not get styled by the magazine and they had set ideas of what they did not want to do in front of the camera. Both issues that are not so relevant on a radio show, but makes all the difference in a magazine. We talked, negotiated and achieved. Everyone is happy!
Shot for Observer Magazine
Experiencing the serene and calm environment of ‘Spring’ restaurant in Somerset House, London, is like a breath of mountain air in contrast to the busy street (The Strand) just outside. The pure light and white tones are like the Greek sun in comparison to a grey London day. This is not just the feel of the restaurant, but as Skye Gyngell walks in, I realise that this look and feel is a true reflection of the head chef herself. Skye is Australian, trained in France and has previously worked as the food editor for Vogue. She is also known for getting a Michelin star at her previous restaurant Petersham Nurseries. All previous experiences have now come together it the perfect harmony which is Spring Restaurant.
Oh - and to make it a little bit more perfect, it also prides itself in being a plastic free restaurant. (That is, all apart from the bin bags, which there is no current alternative for.)
Shot for The Observer Magazine
This year’s Observer Food Awards saw Danny Wallace win the Young Chef of the Year award. Danny works in Gary Usher’s restaurant in Manchester and the two of them ended up on the cover of the awards issue.
The idea of the shoot was to have Gary and Danny clap some flour together to create this celebratory puff of smoke. As I travelled up on the train my mind started exploring the idea of flour and what more we could do with it. Such a playful prop to have at my disposal. I thought that flour could be a symbol of time, like an hourglass. If we had Danny stay in one place then Gary could sift flower over him, one bag at a time. The time reference could also serve as some indication to their relationship as apprentice and mentor. I therefore stopped by a Tesco near by the Manchester studio and bought up all their flour, both self raising and plain. I contacted Danny and Gary and asked them to bring a sieve.
When Danny and Gary turned up, they’d brought a sieve that looked more like a Peaky Blinders cap than a sieve.
I did a series of shots of the two of them on their own and together, sieve and no sieve, before I prepared for the mess. Gary loved the idea of poring KGs of flour over Danny and Danny didn’t seem to object either.
A lot of laughs later Danny was covered with a layer of flour on his head and down his neck and pants. His feet had disappeared, almost like someone caught in a snow storm and decided not to move until it was over.
Shot for the Observer Food Monthly
The first time I met Asma was when I sat down for delicious lunch at Sabrina Ghayour’s place, after having completed a shoot with Sabrina. I remember clearly that Sabrina was boasting about how good a chef Asma was, and told me of her pop up restaurant in Soho. A few years later, Asma has not only got her own restaurant in the middle of Covent Garden, a restaurant that is packed full every day, but she is also the first British chef to have appeared on the popular Netflix TV series ‘Chef’s Table’. Not a bad undertaking at all!
I have since worked with Asma a couple of times, but this shoot for ‘Cook’, Corriere della Sera’s food magazine, was the best one. We had two days with Asma, eating at her restaurant, being introduced to her flat where her dinner club dining experiences all started, but best of all - experiencing Asma! Asma is warm, genuine and very funny. Her restaurant is made up of a team of chefs that she is personally connected to, all women whom lived in London but missed a community and a connection with their home countries. Asma gave them a community in the kitchen and they together created a cultural experience through their food.
My biggest regret with the shoot was that I had a massive cold, so I could not get the full experience of the food. So it’s now a case of queuing up in a line with celebrities such as Keira Knightley, David Schwimmer and more to get the full experience again. Unless - (“Asma - are you reading this??? - nudge, nudge…”)
Shot for Cook Magazine
I have worked with Giorgio Locatelli on several occasions, but never had the chance to hang out with him for a couple of days and to dine at his restaurant. When I take portraits of a chef I get a good feeling of who they are and the connection they have with food, (especially when food is incorporated in the shoot). However, when I have a chance to spend a day with a chef, at his or her restaurant, taste their food and hear them talk about it, I get the full impression of the passion they have for the food they make. Giorgio is very much one of those chefs that is eager to share his passion. His love for the bread they make on the premises was shared alongside his love for fresh ingredients and pasta.
This shoot was also working with a team from Italy, which meant that I didn’t understand much of the conversations, but in return Giorgio’s passion was worn even more on his sleeve than normal.
Giorgio has recently seen an increase in popularity in Italy as well as UK as he is now one of the judges in Italian Masterchef. When I stepped outside, his fans from Italy were pacing up and down in front of the restaurant hoping to get a glimpse of the great chef. One stopped me as I was taking some exterior shots and asked me, with eager eyes: “Is the chef inside”? I said I didn’t know, trying to allow Giorgio some privacy, but she took that as a ‘yes’, and continued to pace up and down in front of the restaurant, in the hope that he would come out - and she could look like she was casually passing by. As Giorgio came out, she jumped at the chance to get a selfie with the Chef. Giorgio agreed, and she walked away happily, glancing down at the image on her iPhone. Just another sign to prove my theory that the true passion for food is engrained in all Italians.
Shot for Cook Magazine
It’s always impressive to see chefs at work. Mixing up their magic potions and presenting it as if it should be in some art gallery. But every chef has some secret, go-to ingredient. Maybe its something to help the dish look good, or it could be to give the dishes that signature taste. This feature for the Observer Food Monthly revealed what Monica Galletti and Jack Monroe had up their sleeves. Monica’s go-to secret is charcoal. She uses it to introduce a shock factor. The look of the dishes differs and it gives a slight smoky flavour.
Jack Monroe however, uses Sage and Onion crumbs to give that extra flavour to many of her homemade dishes.
Not only did I try to show the chefs and their ingredients in this shoot, but I needed to portray the feeling of secrecy. So I took the idea of using charcoal literally for Monica and I brought in the secret agent suitcase and a good few handfuls of Sage for Jack.
Shot for Observer Food Magazine
I have been very lucky in my career and had the chance to travel all around the world to work with some of the world’s best chefs. This trip for Corriere Della Sera’s ‘Cook’ magazine took me to Matera in the south of Italy, right in the middle of Spaghetti Western country. The town Matera is a city built into the mountains in the middle of this desolated landscape. The houses and hotels are basically caves. The town had only recently been made into a modern city. It previously didn’t have a modern plumbing system which meant that the town had been left to disintegrate, considered poor and nobody wanted to live there. It became a dumping place for rubbish and a playground for drug users until the government put a lot of money into it and modernised it. Work began in the 1970’s and it is now one of the ‘must see’ destinations in southern Italy. The houses, (or caves,) are still there but now they have built in plumbing and are desirable to locals, businesses as well as tourists. The town has been the backdrop to many films, Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ being one of them.
The Michelin star chef Vitantonio Lombardo packed down his Micheline star restaurant in Salerno and opened up shortly after in Matera, getting a Micheline star almost immediately, being the first restaurant in Matera to get one.
I spent 2 days in Matera, photographing the town, but also Chef Vitantonio Lombardo and his restaurant. Lombardo invited us to a 2 hour lunch experience which ended with a dish where we had to snog a pair of lips up from a plate, not using any cutlery, wearing earphones with an Italian love song on. It’s not many exclusive restaurants you see the diners pushing their whole plate into their faces, licking up a lipped shaped cake - but it was strangely nice…. Almost like being a teenager abroad, experiencing your first holiday romance: Slightly unsure how you approach the ‘lips’, the fear of the unknown, but when the lips (desert) meet your lips, you can’t stop…
Shot for Cook Magazine
I travelled to near Exmouth to photograph the chef Michael Caines at his hotel/restaurant/vineyard. His boutique hotel, the Lympstone Manor Hotel is a grade II listed building built in the 1760’s and looks out over Exmouth and its own vineyards. As you look out over the river mouth, you can imagine the owner of the manor, back in the late 18th century, standing on the balcony looking over the boats filled with silk and tobacco coming in. An idyllic setting and a first class manor house and restaurant.
Michael Caines was trained under Raymond Blanc, was head chef at Gidleigh Park when it got its second Michelin star and has been awarded an MBE. Caines lost his right arm in a car accident in 1994 but that hasn’t stopped him. A man with determination!
This shoot was in collaboration with BA and their ‘Love Letters’ series, a celebration of 100 years in aviation.
Shot for Bridge Studios and BA
Last time I found myself at the refugee and migrant camp in Calais, then commonly know as ‘Calais Jungle’, I was taken to the camp and the community kitchen. The camp has now been shut down by the French authorities but the kitchen still stands. Due to numerous attempts by the French government to shut this kitchen down they have had to make massive improvements to make it into a professional kitchen. The operation is run by Steve Bedlam, Sam Jones, Janie Macintyre and Paula Gallardo. The kitchen has fed 2.5 million refugees in 3 years and is 100% reliant on volunteer work and charitable contributions. They provide healthy food for all refugees as well as the community. Respect to everyone involved!
Shot for the Observer Food Monthly
Vodafone is rebranding and doing a big push to promote its 5G capabilities. I was brought in to help establish their new visual identity. I got to work with the brilliant art buyer Sarah Pascoe and the excellent Art Director David Simoe, as well as the rest of the team from Ogilvy responsible for the Vodafone account. This was also my first proper collaboration with my new agent and friend Frede Spencer at Twenty Twenty agency.
One studio day, two location days, one house, two street locations, a lot of red (but no Bull thank god) and 24 models later, these are some of the results.
Shot for Ogilvy/Vodafone
Just before the final season of Game of Thrones I got to shoot Kit Harington in south London. I had sourced a location house with lots of options, and the excellent team from Emmy Magazine had come from LA to help out.
Kit was right in the middle of playing Austin in the West End show True West, so he rocked up sporting his character's moustache. A very different look from the rugged Jon Snow in Game of Thrones, but a look that suited him just as much. A modern day Tom Selleck of sorts. That’s what I thought at least until he said, “I look like Borat” and pulled a little face to show the resemblance. The room cracked up laughing. No doubt he’ll get the job if anyone is looking for an actor to play Borat in a film…. Ehr….
Shot for Emmy Magazine
