Celebrity Portraits: Doing It My Way…

Capturing the Real You (and not just the ‘Reel’ you)

Celebrities are just people.

Strip away the mansions and millions, scratch off the paint and polish, and beneath the surface you’ll find thinking, feeling, breathing, human beings who are prone to the same emotional highs and lows we all are.

And yet, there’s something undeniably magnetic about a portrait of a well-known face. It’s not just the recognition of someone famous that draws you in, it’s a cheeky peek behind the curtain of who they really are that captivates. If it’s done right.

While there are many celebrity portrait photographers who inspire me (Annie Leibovitz, Mark Mann, Mark Seliger to name just a very few) sometimes, I’ll see a portrait of someone famous and feel that it’s just… meh. It might be well-lit, well-composed, and technically sound, but it doesn’t have anything compelling to say. The image is interesting by default, solely based on who’s in it; the photograph itself, not so much.

And every time I see a photo like this, I feel a wave of frustration wash over me and my inner battlecry surge from within: Just give me a chance to show you what I can do!

It’s a bold refrain coming from someone so new to the business. But that doesn’t stop me from chasing that dream. Some of the most iconic celebrity portraits in history didn’t rely on elaborate sets or complex lighting setups. They worked because the photographer managed to capture something real. That’s what I’m after.

My Approach – Stripping Away the Performance

Celebrities can be understandably reticent about being photographed — some even jaded. Many have spent their careers in front of cameras, learning to guard what they will and won't reveal. Add to that the nature of their profession, where stepping into a role often means subjugating their own personalities to sell their performance. This can result in stiff, awkward, and inauthentic portraits.

That’s where I believe my approach makes a difference. Whether you’re a star on the rise or a screen legend soaring high, my process remains the same. My style has always been about putting my clients at ease in order to peel back the layers to find the raw, unguarded truth beneath the surface. It’s not about capturing a performance, it’s about revealing the human being behind the mask. It’s not about documenting a narrative written from someone else's script, it’s about storytelling in the most personal sense — telling your story through my lens.

I’m not so naïve to believe I can capture a person’s entire soul in a single frame. But if I can offer the viewer even a thin slice of their life, a fleeting glimpse behind their veil of secrecy, then I’ll be satisfied.

That’s what I want to bring to celebrity portraiture.

My Dream Clients

There are certain famous faces that intrigue me; some actors and musicians are inherently charismatic, and have a quiet intensity, while others exude a kind of raw vulnerability that would be incredible to capture — stories waiting to be uncovered.

Probably at the top of my list is actor/comedian, Ricky Gervais. Best known for his unapologetic honesty, often highlighting the absurdity of social conventions, his humour is often tinged with an existential reflection and a surprising amount of pathos. I would absolutely love to have the opportunity to explore the genius behind that cheeky grin.

My Dream Clients (NOTE: These images were NOT taken by me)

In general, I’m drawn to faces that are characterful, expressive, mysterious. But every face has unique tale to tell, and the list just keeps growing exponentially: Elvis Costello, Vanessa Kirby, Stephen Merchant, Gary Oldman, Tom Hiddleston, Jeff Goldblum, Mark Strong, Tilda Swinton, Rowan Atkinson, Sofia Boutella, James McAvoy, Dichen Lachman, Hugh Laurie — I could keep going until my shutter finger drops off.

The point is, no matter who is in front of my lens, I want to challenge myself to draw out something unique each and every time — both to me, and to them.

The Vision – Bringing This to Life

Photography, for me, has never been about chasing trends or mimicking what’s already been done. It’s about connection. It’s about trust. It’s about creating an image that lingers long after the moment has passed.

Capturing the REAL you and not just the REEL you…

So, what comes next?

I know the game; celebrity photography isn’t just about skill, it’s about access. So I’m actively working to bring this vision to life — reaching out to artists, agents, publicists, and PR firms, connecting with the right people, the right projects, and the right opportunities. As many actors know, it sometimes only takes one spark to ignite a career; I’m just looking for that one spark.

So if you’re an actor, musician, or public figure, looking for celebrity portrait photography that goes beyond the ordinary, I will deliver character-driven portraits that bring out the real you, and not just the ‘reel’ you.

Let’s create something unforgettable!