Twin Gardens

Last time I went to Moscow I was about 16 years old. A very different place, but also a very different experience.  Back then I was young, on a trip with other international students and youngsters. This time I was on a trip for the Italian food magazine Cook, Corrier Della Sera to photograph the twin chefs behind the restaurant Twin Garden. Last time I probably ate crisps and cheap sandwiches, this time I ate exclusive Michelin star food and crabs with champagne.

The idea and process of traveling to Moscow is more intimidating and different than actually being there. Apart from a taxi service on the airport with drivers aggressively approaching you, trying to trick you into paying extortionate prices, (which can remind a little of traveling to a country that relies on tourism,) apart from the blatantly apparent class difference, and apart from the size of the buildings, Moscow actually reminded me a little of Norway.  It was a cold December week, but as there was no snow, it was dark most of the time.  People tend to wear similar outfits to what we wear in Norway - practical navy, grey and black winter clothes.  Although the architecture was grander than in Oslo - it had the same colouring and texture.  

We were well taken care of in Moscow by the team behind Twin Gardens. The Michelin star restaurant (19th best in the The World's 50 Best Restaurants awards) served up vegetarian taster menus (a first in Moscow?!) with wines made from Mushrooms, tomatoes, beetroot to mention a few. Although I have to admit that the wine is not the type I would enjoy on its own whilst watching a long film, the small tasters of it served with accompanying meals - worked perfectly.  Oh - and the tomatoes!  Grown locally on their farm Twin Farm - they were so tasty they even made the Italians give an impressive nod. 

Impressed by the restaurant in Moscow, we had a second day where they took us to their restaurant on the outskirts of the city. In the middle of a Luxury shopping mall - (and by luxury I meant LUXURY Russian style,) was the twin brothers Ivan and Sergey Berezutskiy’s second restaurant Crab and Wine.  This restaurant serves only crabs and wine/champagne as indicated in the name.  Here they had a large crab aquarium in the restaurant (as well as several filled aquariums with crabs in the basement).  The aquarium in the restaurant was probably around 2m tall and 8 meters wide. Here the guests could get a PS4 remote to control a claw, and pick their own crab using the remote (as if out of a James Bond villain scene in a James Bond film).  We were served 7 different types of crabs, on three tables pulled together to fit them all, and champagne to accompany.  An experience you’ll find hard to replicate.  

The chefs Ivan and Sergey were identical twins by looks, but were very different in behaviour. Sergey was the more introvert, softly spoken and didn’t speak much English, and Ivan was the opposite. (That Sergey also had the flue when we were there made it easier to know who was who when I spoke to them - not always easy when you don’t know them well).  They were extremely hospitable and introduced us to the modern and traditional Russia through food.  As many surprises as expectations were met.   

Shot for Cook 

 
 

Asma Khan

Asma Khan’s not only prominent in the UK for her amazing food, for being the first British-based chef on the Netflix series Chef’s table, but she has also been forefront in fighting for women working professionally in the kitchen.  (For those of you whom have followed my blogs, you will see that I have bigged Asma up on previous blog posts, talking about previous shoots.)

This cover shoot for OFM took place at the same day that Asma got a message confirming her residency at a central Covent Garden location.  Her restaurant, in the middle of a pandemic, was about to expand from a tucked away, small top floor covent garden space, to a huge restaurant in the middle of bustling Covent Garden. A great achievement for someone who only a few years was only known to a few handfuls of people for her dinner clubs and pop up restaurants. She came to the shoot happy and confident - and left the shoot ecstatic.  Just the way it should be - but in this case it was probably more due to the call confirming the restaurant than anything I had done.  After all - Asma had to spend a lot of the time during the shoot holding back the tears and coughs after playing with chilli powder.  

I was fortunate to get invited to the opening of the new restaurant Darjeeling Express.  Last time I ate at Asma’s I kicked myself as I had the flue - and couldn’t taste a thing. This time I brought my tastebuds polished and sharpened, all my other senses at the ready, and left my camera behind - 100% attention to the food.  Great taster menu from beginning to end.  So - to celebrate the opening of restaurants in the UK this month, why not celebrate the opening of a brand new restaurant - Darjeeling Express, Covent Garden. 


Shot for OFM

 
 

Alison Oakervee and Jimi Famurewa

There were occasions before the Covid pandemic where it was necessary to consider comping.  Maybe someone couldn’t be present on the day of a bigger group shot or it was just not possible for all or everything to be in the shot.  However, Covid 19 has made it necessary for most shoots that include more than one person, to be comped together.  This shoot with the food podcasters and journalists Alison Oakervee and Jimi Famurewa needed just that.  We were all able to be in the same studio at the same time, (which does help in terms of dynamics,) but in order to keep 2 meter distance we had to shoot them separately and comp them together in post.  The shoot was to promote the food podcast ‘Life on a Plate’, where Alison and Jimi are hosts, and we looked at different fun ways to convey the message ‘food’ and podcast’.  I had bought in food that I thought would work. 

On the morning of the shoot I emptied my dishwasher, only to find that a breakfast bowl had broken , clean down the middle.  I suddenly thought this may work as a good prop, especially as we had two people involved.  I brought the bowl, split a pomegranate down the middle, and made it look as if the cutting of a Pomegranate and plate was done in one action.  Sometimes, keeping an open mind, keeping shoots in the back of the mind, allows for happy accidents to happen.  I love this way of working - getting ideas from items and things around us that you can imagine being involved in a shoot setup.  It has been a part of the way I work editorially since the beginning. 

Shot for Waitrose / Life on a plate

 
 

Liam Charles

Question: What do you get if you combine doughnuts, a pack of hundreds and thousands, some earphones and some Craig David moves?

Answer: Liam Charles from Kids Bake Off and some sweet music.

Liam is always fun to work with.  I don’t know where he gets his unlimited quota of good mood and energy from, but it’s contagious.  The brief for this shoot was taste test of doughnuts. 


Shot for Observer Food Monthly

 
 

Ravneet Gill

What was to be a seemingly normal shoot of a chef and her mum, (and mum’s mum) for a mother’s day issue of OFM, ended up being a delightful introduction to a characterful family. Ravneet was as lovely as I had expected. Smiley and fun, just like she comes across on TV and her social media posts. Working with Ravneet on her own would be fun, but the dynamic between her, her mum and her grandma is what was so magical on this shoot. They both made a fuss about Ravneet, with character and style of course. Ravneet was playful in her response, and there was a beautiful acceptance in the interaction and in each other’s ways of being.  Some families would maybe discard family members making a fuss as embarrassing, but Ravneet embraced it and played on it - just as it should be done. Not only was it a fun shoot, a great dynamic to be able to observe, but at the end something happened that has never happened to me in my 21 years as a photographer. Out came a £20 note from Ravneet’s grandmother. She wanted to tip me for my work. I was stunned - but could of course not accept. Such a generous gesture - it sent me back to my childhood, almost as if I was myself a young boy at the family gathering, and was given pocket money to get some sweets.  Don’t get me wrong - I wasn’t insulted by the gesture - on the contrary - I was charmed and flattered.  

Some of my personal work and early work dealt with families. I love being a photographer and being able to witness the dynamics. Some families keep a safe distance and are reserved, some cringe by family members reactions and attitudes, and some families find enjoyment in the characters and traits of their family members and are comfortable in each other’s presence.


Shot for OFM

 
 

Tim Peake

This shoot with the astronaut Time Peake took place at a small studio near Kings Cross.  The idea behind the shoot was to use gels and colours to give it a slight futuristic and unearthly feel.  

Tim had been to a reunion with his old airforce buddies the night before - and although surely hungover - was cheerful and as nice as can be.  Meeting someone who has been a test pilot and traveled to space triggers so many questions.  The small youtube clips of Tim in space, showing us what weightlessness is and how things react in space, left me thinking he was nice.  But sometimes, what you see on TV is not what you get.  However -  in real life Tim was as nice, if not even nicer than what I had expected.  

Many of the questions I asked him were surely questions he had answered a thousand times.  But still - every question I asked, Tim replied with great consideration and a genuine smile on his face, as if it was the first time he had been asked the question. 

I don’t know if the young ‘test pilot Tim’ was as friendly and approachable as the ‘astronaut Tim’?  I always imagined a test pilot to be a bit more abrasive - Tom Cruise in Top Gun like.  But maybe he was always as chilled and relaxed.  But I like to imagine that traveling to space must change you as a person.  You must get a realisation of how little you actually are in the larger context of things, and maybe you look at the world in a more relaxed way.  The perspective of what is important must have changed, and maybe the solitude of space makes an astronaut enjoy all people, even if they are all asking the same questions again and again!


Shot for Random House

 
 

Joan Bakewell

Just before Christmas I headed out to Joan Bakewell’s house in North London.  Last time I was at her place it was a big mansion only a couple of blocks away from where she is now, in a considerably smaller house with a small garden.

Not only did it seem sensible that in a time of Covid19, we chose to photograph Joan outside, with all precautions in place.  But Joan is also hosting the Landscape Artist of the Year program, so it seemed perfect.  

We both talked about how Christmas would be different this year, after the confirmation that we were not supposed to travel to family in December. Joan, looked like she was set for a Christmas alone or at the very best with one of her grandsons, that lived nearby.  

It is strange that during these times we all seem to appreciate the company we get a lot more. Instead of feeling like I was on a job, to rush to move on, I felt that we were both enjoying a break in the day, a new face, someone physically there to talk to.  I’ve always been one who appreciates a small group of friends in my circle, but as this lockdown extends and renews, I find myself not only craving the friends I now so seldom see, but also the influence of strangers I pass everyday, and the people I have the pleasure of knowing, albeit for a very short while day to day in my work.  I have never felt so lucky to be a fleeting guest in so many people’s lives, and Joan, that late December morning, was a reminder of the joy of such meetings.

Shot for Observer Magazine

 
 

Yrsa Daley-Ward

Yrsa Daley-Ward is an actress, a model and a poet.  She has seen success with books such as ‘Bone’ as well as her spoken word poetry.  Her instagram poetry is inspirational and creative. Such a joyful person to meet and work with too. She didn’t carry the diva attitude some models do, nor the reclusive nature of some writers.  She was just Yrsa - beautiful and natural.  


Shot for The Guardian Weekend Magazine

 
 

Michel Faber

One of my first shoots after lockdown was to photograph Michel Faber for Random House Publishing.   It wasn’t to be a book cover, but rather an author shoot, providing images for Michael to use on the book sleeve and for PR.

I turned up at his doorstep in Folkstone that early summer afternoon.  He let me into his house, filled with books and vinyl records. Michael was about to release his new book, about a 13 year old girl from Somaliland that one day discovered that all “D”s are vanishing from the English language.  This is the kind of thinking and thought process that intrigues me.  Where does an idea like this come from and where will it take me.  Such a simple little thing, yet, when you think of it, you can imagine a whole world of serious and comic consequences.  

Michael was very much like the story would indicate.  A very interesting man to talk to and he seemed to know a lot about everything and anything.  Photography and music were two subjects that he had given a lot of thought.

Lastly, we ended up along the seaside of Folkestone.  He had brought his rabbit and doll, both things he brings with him everywhere and photographs in unexpected places.  “The doll was a little too much for some people so I decided to photograph the gold rabbit in different places too.”

A wonderfully interesting man to spend an evening in Folkestone with.


Shot for Random House/Michael Faber

 
 

Rachel Joyce

This shoot with the author Rachel Joyce took place at the Pitzhanger Manor in West London. Rachel, is a hugely successful author and also previously dabbled in acting. Rachel was very captivating to talk to and had a very calming aura.  I find it important to take on the feel of the people who step in front of my camera.  If they project a feeling of calm, then the shoot should try to take on that same feel and rhythm.  These images were commissioned to accompany the sale and promotion of her most recent book Miss Benson’s Beetle.


Shot for Transworld

 
 

Philippa Perry

A shoot with Philippa Perry is not only fun, but it’s also a good opportunity to try to gage how much you are messing your own kids up.  The psychotherapist’s latest book named “The book you wish your parents had read (and your children will be glad that you did)” - is not aimed at telling us what to do, but you know there will be some serious words of wisdom in there.  So - I took the opportunity to ask a few questions at least - like any parent I am on a daily basis confronted with new issues, and every issue comes with the doubting question “am I messing my kids up for life?”  I don’t know what I hoped for in reply.  Maybe I was  hoping for an answer, a definite solution to all child rearing issues - a comforting word to say I’m doing ok - standing applause with a definite reply to assure me that my kids will be perfectly balanced when they grow up with no lasting issues - but that is of course not Philippa’s job, especially not on the back of some 30 minute photoshoot.  However - the advice to take time and listen seemed to be prominent in what she was saying - and maybe one of the things that is easy to forget in the hectic lives we are living.  


Shot for Observer Magazine

 
 

David McKee

Having kids opens your eyes to things that you may not necessarily know.  Maybe some can remember their literary influences from early on, but I am one of those who can’t recall much of what I read when I was a kid.  So, when I was introduced to Elmer the Patchwork Elephant, reading it for my kids, I loved the visuals but also the simplicity of the stories.  Elmer is darn right sweet!  David McKee is the creator of Elmer.  I got to photograph him in his flat in London, a place he stays when he comes over from France for work or pleasure.  Such a lovely and modest man.  It seemed to me that the friendliness of Elmer is just a mirror of David himself.  


Shot for Observer Magazine

 
 

Matthew MacFadyen

I photographed Matthew McFadyen a long time ago, together with Michael Gambon.  One of my earliest commissions.  They were playing in the stage adaptation of Henry IV.  This time, I meet Matthew MacFadyen again.  Now a world renowned star for his role in Succession.  (Missing out very noticeable performances in series such as Spooks and Any Human Heart - to mention a few).  This time MacFadyen is starring in the small TV drama series “Quiz”.  Remember the Major who managed to trick “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” but was caught?  Well, MacFadyen plays the Major.  

A tall gentleman - is the best way to describe MacFadyen presence.  Gently spoken and suave.  Wearing a suit, but it doesn’t feel like he’s put one on especially.  On the contrary.  I can easily imagine MacFadyen sporting a suit, open top buttoned shirt and leather shoes on a daily basis.  

Shot for Observer New Review

Joanna Hogg and Honor Swinton Byrne

Joanna Hogg worked with Tilda Swinton in one of Tilda’s first films,  and Joanna’s Graduation piece.  They had been friends as kids, but casting Tilda in this early film had reignited their friendship and they have been friends ever since.  Both developed individual, successful careers and Joanna became the godmother of Tilda’s daughter Honor Swinton Byrne.  Now, over 30 years later, Joanna has made a film based on romantic relationship she had some years ago.  Struggling to find someone to play herself, she finally came up with the idea of casting Honor.  To Joanna this working relationship is as personal as the story.  

I met up with Joanna and Honor  at The House of St Barnabas in London.  Often when you photograph an actor and a director together, you notice a closeness from having worked together for a long time, but you also notice a professional boundry that is not crossed.  In the end, director/actor is a working relationship. Their working relationship before stepping in front of my camera has often been one of separation - one in front of camera and one behind.  When you then put the actor and director together, it is as if they need to redefine the boundary between themselves.  Joanna, as is often the case with directors, also dislikes being in front of the lens.  

But Joanna and Honor are not representative of a traditional working relationship.  Their history and closeness was evident as soon as they entered the room.  After Joanna had used months to lead Honor through her first film, it seemed that Honor, (being more comfortable in front of the camera) was leading Joanna into a space of comfort. The intimacy and the handhold were natural and I was fortunate to be there to capture their friendship.  


Shot for Observer New Review

Romesh and Leesa Ranganathan

It’s not everyday you get an invite to photograph someone in their bed with their wife.  Especially not a celebrity, at least not in my line of photography.  Ok - so I’ve worked with Romesh Ranganathan 3 times before, but working with Romesh and his wife Leesa in bed, sounded like it could potentially be a recipe for crossing personal boundaries. PJ’s were in place - so everything respectable, but still an insight into the domestics.  I didn’t hang out in the bedroom for a week to catch the natural ambience of the Ranganathan marital bedroom, but we staged it to illustrate Ranganathan’s article about what it is to be his wife, the receiving end of many of Romesh’s comedy standup shows. 

Both were fun to work with, a true testament to how genuine Romesh is in his comedy and performances.  

We parted ways with an elbow five, and a promise that the next job would be traveling to Wuhan, China.  

Shot for The Guardian Weekend Magazine

Renault - Bill and Dax Bailey

My previous shoots with Bill Bailey have all been to promote a project he is working on, alone and in his office.  This shoot however was to promote Renault.  Bill Bailey and his son Dax, on their way to paddle board, driving a Renault and the Billboard on top.  (Yes - ‘Billboard’ is actually the name of the paddle board that Bill is promoting.)  It’s a sport that I hear more and more people are swearing by.  Personally, I prefer to be in the water.

Shot for Bridge Studios / Renault

Luke Evans

I can’t put my finger on it but there is definitely something a little ‘Shaken but not stirred’ about Luke Evans. It’s like he should have a three digit number instead of a name.  Or maybe he should just make a point of introducing himself by saying surname followed by his whole name….

Shot for Observer Food Monthly

 
 

Jamie Carragher

You don’t find a Liverpool FC fan who doesn’t know who Jamie Carragher is.  Having played defender for the club for 17 years he is a true ‘One Club Man’.  Since his retirement as a player he has become the voice of football as a commentator on SKY, as well as the podcast “The Greatest Game”.  This shoot with Jamie was done for his book “The Greatest Game” - inspired by his podcast.  In the book he talks about his all time favourite games.  What better to hear about the greatest games from someone who’s seen them on pitch for 17 years and then 7 years from the commentator’s box?  I am sure there are some Everton or Manchester United fans out there who could name some better people to voice their opinions, but I personally think Jamie is pretty qualified.

The shoot took place in Liverpool.  It wasn’t a shoot where we could hang around and chat for ages.  Jamie had things to do, people to see.  No time for a fast kick about, one touch or a kicky-up challenge.  But I will say that Jamie was a pretty easy going chilled out guy.  

Shot for Penguin Random House

 
 

Ant Middleton

I’m not much for reality TV shows, but the program “SAS: Who dares wins” sucked me in.  Maybe it’s because it allows me to reminisce about my own time in the army, or maybe it’s because there is something nice about sitting on a sofa at home with a cold beer, watching others push themselves physically until they drop.  (Not the spirit of a new year resolution - I know…)

I met up with Ant Middleton, the main officer in the program, that puts everyone through their paces and figures out their mental triggers.   Whilst everyone else is gaining a little pudge during lockdown, Ant looks like he’s fitter than ever!  His every muscle fitting snuggly into each nook and cranny of his T-shirt. I could off course talk to him about my time in the army, how I climbed the ranks, but I often find it best to not talk too much about those days.  Especially to a man who’s been in the Parachute Squadron and Royal Marines.  I acknowledge them, but soon move on to talk about other more trivial things, worried that  he’ll have me down on the floor doing pushups just to prove myself.  Yep - set me a challenge and I’ll do everything I can to prove it.  And, although my mind is convinced that I am not a day older than what I was over twenty years ago, I know my body disagrees. Even though my mind might try to practice Ant’s slogan, the title of the book “Zero Negativity” - I know that 50 pushups is not where I am after months in lockdown and having lived a considerably less physically demanding life than my time in the army.  

After a nice shoot, getting the images we were after to be on the cover of Ant’s newest book, I carry my equipment out of his house with my assistant, into the car.  But this time I make a point of carrying the bags just a little higher than normal, straining my biceps a little more, chest out, straight back, just to feel like I have accomplished at least some weight training that day.  

Shot for HarperCollins

 
 

Boris Becker

Boris Becker is a name that is well known in the tennis circuit and to anyone of my generation.  He’s one of those sport stars that you don’t have to be into their sport to know about them.   He won his first out of 6 major singles titles at the age of 17.  He had a few nicknames referring to his fast and well placed serves: “Boom-Boom”, “Der Bomber” or (my favourite) “Baron Von Slam”.

After his career as a tennis player he did some coaching and later became a professional poker player.  

I met this sizeable man in the small Champaign room at a the Connaught hotel in London.  Not the best space to squeeze two 6ft5ish men in with equipment, assistant, two journalists and Boris’ lawyer - but we made it work.  Boris had just had his knee operated on as well, so his hands were clutching the handles of his crutches, instead of the handle of his tennis racket as I remembered him.  As it was getting dark early I managed to get him outside for 10 minutes before the interview took place.  It was then time for the interview, before I got to do the second part of the shoot in the same room.  The interview was in German, a language I have not mastered, but I was able to pick up on the negotiations and mood of the interview.  It’s one of those times that I am happy to be the photographer.  My job is to keep things amicable, let Boris’ mind drift away from any challenges that can come with an interview - and doing that I found Boris to be a nice guy to deal with.  We had a laugh and he took directions well.  

Shot for Stern