CP Rizwan, UAE Cricket Captain

I was asked by the National Newspaper to follow Paul Radley, cricket journalist and author of Playing To Fix to the heart of the Cotswolds to cover a story on CP Rizwan, the former captain of the UAE T20 team.

CP was turning out as a pro for Hatherley and Reddings CC at Dumbleton CC. Paul went to see how his experience differed from the cut and thrust of International franchise cricket.

The Cotswolds is where I grew up and played village cricket, though for me think of the BBC’s ‘This Country’ with added Findus Crispy Pancakes, rather than this Chocolate Box Cotswolds, an idyllic location sometimes mentioned as one of the most beautiful grounds in the country.

Thanks to Scott Chasserot for the commission and to Paul and CP for the scones, sandwiches and endless cricket chat!

Wormholes

Through mutual friends a couple of years ago I was recommended to shoot profile pictures for writer Emily Jupp. Now she has just finished a run at the Omnibus Theatre in Clapham with her play, Wormholes.

Directed by Scott Le Crass and starring the brilliant Victoria Yeates, the one woman show was a massive success and received great reviews.

Wormholes has been nominated for two categories in this year's @offwestendcom awards, Emily for best new play and Victoria for best lead performer in a play.

Here are a selection of images; of Emily, Victoria, from the play and the press night. .

Jodie Kidd and the KIA EV9

Stills shoot accompanying the promotion of KIA’s newest electric launch.


The World Class Jodie Kidd for the promotion of KIA’s new electric vehicle, the EV9. It was an absolute pleasure to photograph Jodie - she was the perfect professional and made the whole day so enjoyable. Many thanks to Henry Warrington at Third City and Tom Richards at KIA for the commission, Tori Ball for hair and make up, Liesa Miller for Styling and Joe Conway for his brilliant assistance. Shot at Big Sky Studios.

Remembering 1966 - Norman Jay MBE, Saga and Zinc Media

Stills to accompany Saga’short films leading up to last year’s World Cup.

Nothing makes me happier than spending a few days discussing Pies, Subbuteo and the terror of attending an Edinburgh Derby in 1986, so hopefully the fun I had comes through in these pictures. Thanks to the wonderful people at Zinc I was able to follow Joe Briffa around again as he composed these three short films. The legendary DJ Norman Jay MBE was interviewing, and his professionalism and sweet nature made this a joy. Day one was at Gigg Lane, home of Bury FC, sadly defunct, but hopefully soon to be resuscitated.

REVISITING EXHIBITION Jan - Feb 2023

So all done and dusted.

My first Solo exhibition was in January. Curated by Mindy Lee at Blyth Arts, the show was the first time I had shown these portraits in a Gallery - the first time I had exhibited in a decade.

This may seem like a long time, but is indicative of how I see my work, and how the function of an editorial photographer differs from the job of an artist. Taking these images out of their usual area is quite fun - the days they were up filled me with an immense pride, and validated all I have learned working alongside some fantastic people for the many magazines, newspapers and commercial projects I have undertaken.

I held two talks and a walkthrough which, although initially terrifying, has only made me happier about what I do and the experience and ability I can call upon in the future.

There’s another in the pipeline …

Eamonn McCabe and David Hockney

Very sad news that Eamonn McCabe, the Sport and Portrait Photographer and Picture Editor has died.

A few years back we were due to shoot David Hockney at the Royal Academy…As I, aArt Director Nick Booth and camera assistant Ed Marshall arrived, the PR announced that due to space and time constraints we would need to share the space with another photographer -  from the Guardian.

Of course this isn’t ideal, it’s hard enough shooting with several people in the room, let alone another photographer. Then she told us it will be Eamon McCabe.

My heart sank -  I feel imposter syndrome at the best of times, let alone when one of the most revered photographers is able to watch you stumble through a job .

As it turned out, he was relaxed, kind and understanding as we shuffled our kit to one side for him to take the simplest of pictures in a small pool of daylight. This polaroid is a nice reminder of how lucky I was to watch someone with so much experience put someone at ease and nail the shot.

Rosalind Nashashibi

Artist Rosalind Nashashibi photographed in her studio just before we all went into lockdown for UAE newspaper, The National.

https://bit.ly/2WBMHJo

Thanks to Charlotte Mayhew, who now lives in the UAE as a picture editor for the National, I have been asked to work on a few really interesting commissions. Its always great to nose around the places that people work and the quick conversation we had around the shoot was enlightening. Invariably we do the dance of ‘shall I just clean up/ please don’t touch a thing, it looks great’ but Rosalind was really welcoming. She is better known for her 16mm films, which won her a nomination for the Turner Prize, but she also paints, and this is what she was concentrating on when we met.

I do regret not seeking out more of the stories from artists, photographers and filmmakers when they were offered to me as a student. I was particularly blinkered and immature in that regard, because now I find this the greatest privilege in my work, as well as catching snippets of the interview in progress.

Picture Editor: Charlotte Mayhew

Interviewer: Melissa Gronlund

London Flatmates

Time Out London ran a feature on the various living arrangements in the city. I was asked to visit the participants and these are the results.

Picture Editor: Ben Rowe

Ulrika Jonsson for Lumen

Ulrika Jonsson has signed up for Lumen, the dating App. She was chosen to be the face of their Christmas Ads - and I was delighted when they asked me to shoot the images in the same style as last year’s successful campaign.

It was Ulrika’s first photoshoot for 10 years, though you’d never have guessed. Thanks to the amazing team for helping to make some fantastic images.

Styling: Liesa Stecher - MUA: Ashleigh Jane - Hair: Michael Douglas

Concept: Charly Lester - PR: Henry Warrington @Arno

Westonbirt Arboretum

Commission for the excellent Bloom Magazine.

Editor: Zena Alkayat

Art Direction: Sarah Pyke

I was delighted to visit the National Arboretum in Westonbirt for an Autumn shoot last year. Its now on the shelves and here are a few more shots form a fantastic day exploring the Gloucestershire countryside. Many thanks to Forestry England for allowing me so much time and access.

Caractère

Caractère is a Kensington Restaurant run by Emily Roux (granddaughter of Albert, daughter of Michel Roux Jnr) and her husband Diego Ferrari, former head chef of Le Gavroche. I was commissioned by Time Out for the review of these stunning dishes.

Full review at https://bit.ly/2HrfkkW

Daniel Day Lewis

I am very sad to see DDL has retired - I photographed him twice, and both times he was utterly charming. There was a hint of mischief in his manner, a feeling he was both totally aware of the absurdity of 'the junket', yet equally happy watching the various dynamics between Journalists, Publicity Officers, Photographers, and Artist Management.

This was at odds with the view I have read several times today, that he was difficult or avoided interviews or publicity.

Like most people who excel at a chosen field, he probably is excelling in many more areas of his life we never see. I remember that Barry McGuigan was convinced he could have been a fighter after training him for The Boxer. Bit late for that Daniel, but let's hope he changes his mind on retirement.

Artist Stephen Wright in his House of Dreams

This shot was taken whilst documenting Stephen's House/ Museum in Dulwich a couple of years ago. It is an amazing collection of found objects and  re-fashioned dolls and toys created over the last two decades. Only open on a few days a month on average, perfect for lovers of Outsider Art. I found it incredibly moving hearing his stories of the objects and the driving force behind the project, it is a must see for anyone searching for those London secret gems we all harp on about endlessly.

http://www.stephenwrightartist.com/houseofdreams.php

The Lord Alfred Dubs

It was quite a feat trying to keep up with 84 year old Alf Dubs as he raced through the corridors and communal areas of the Palace of Westminster. He was constantly stopping to check from the numerous TV screens that he was not needed in the chamber and hailing all and sundry as he whisked us towards Westminster Hall. His energy was matched only by the generosity with his time.

As always it was so good to be working with an old colleague from TO - Alf was interviewed by Rebecca Taylor for Jewish Renaissance Magazine, and sitting in on the interview was a great pleasure.

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