Photographing Carl Solomon was an exercise in finding the balance between raw authenticity and refined classical influence. With his deep-set eyes and time-honored features, Solomon perfectly embodied the themes of Selah. His modeling during the workshop allowed me to guide him into moments of reflection and vulnerability, harnessing the same emotional depth that Ribera so masterfully depicted in his saints and martyrs. Solomon's portrait, with its chiaroscuro lighting and expressive composition, invokes a sense of timeless meditation, seamlessly blending the Renaissance past with the contemporary present.
Renowned portrait photographer Rory Lewis is thrilled to announce his return to London this September. After achieving a significant milestone with his portraiture being acquired by The National Portrait Gallery, Rory is back in the UK and ready to bring his exceptional photography services to London-based clients.
It’s hard to believe that it’s been ten years since my portrait sitting with Sir Patrick Stewart. Capturing his likeness was not just a career highlight but a transformative moment that propelled my work into the international spotlight. In celebration of this milestone, I want to revisit that memorable session and reflect on its impact.
I'm thrilled to share the latest addition to my Selah project, featuring the distinguished British actor Jared Harris. Known for his captivating performances in roles such as Lane Pryce in AMC's Mad Men, King George VI in The Crown, and Valery Legasov in HBO's Chernobyl, Jared Harris is an actor of immense talent and versatility. His extensive career spans television and film, with significant roles in Mr. Deeds, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, Lincoln, and Allied. Most recently, he took on the role of Hari Seldon in the Apple TV+ science fiction series Foundation.
I'm hoping to finish Selah over the summer and bring it to exhibition in 2025. In this latest series, I captured the profoundly talented actor Andy Serkis. When directing Andy, I asked him to imagine he had taken a long pilgrimage, now reaching the end. He is depicted as a man of faith, almost pensive, taking the time to pause and reflect.
Photography has always been about capturing that fleeting moment, a split-second where past and future converge and are held forever by the click of the shutter. In my Selah project, I’ve taken this concept into the studio, creating a series of portraits where each sitter pauses to prepare for something significant. One of the most compelling images from this project features actress Anna Passey, known for her role as Sienna Blake in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks.
In my latest project, Selah, I've drawn deep inspiration from the Old Master painters, particularly those from the Renaissance Italian period. This influence is vividly apparent in my portrait of James Purefoy, where I sought to evoke the light, atmosphere, and tonal qualities reminiscent of artists like Rembrandt and Caravaggio.
As the golden hour casts a gentle glow over the city, I sit, enveloped in the warmth of an incredible announcement: my portrait of the extraordinarily talented Michael James Shaw has been shortlisted as a finalist in the prestigious Hasselblad Masters 2023 competition. Amidst a vast sea of 85,000 submissions, to be selected among the top 10 in the portrait category is an honor that leaves me both humbled and elated.
