(Royal Central Interview) Photographing Royalty: Rory Lewis on Edward, Duke of Kent

May 03, 2019 in Interview, Published, Top Moment

In recent weeks, a new portrait of the Duke of Kent has been taken. It’s the work of top photographer, Rory Lewis, who has worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood as well as many of the leading figures in the military. Royal Central spoke to Rory Lewis about working with royalty and telling a story that will last generations.

James Purefoy Portrait Sitting

April 24, 2019 in Actors Headshots, Celebrity, Featured Sitting, London, Los Angeles, Portraiture, Selah, Top Moment

Actor James Purefoy is a remarkable stage and screen presence. From jousting Heath Ledger in 2001’s pulpy A Knight’s Tale to manipulating a cult of serial killers in Fox’s The Following, James has appeared in a wider range of film, television and theatre productions than the lion’s share of his contemporaries.

Reggimento Corazzieri (The Cuirassiers' Regiment) Rome Portrait Sittings

April 20, 2019 in Military Portrait, London, Portraiture, Works, Regimental Sittings, Royal Regiments, Top Moment, Top Clients

The Cuirassiers' Regiment (Reggimento Corazzieri, previously Comando Carabinieri Guardie del Presidente della Repubblica) is an Italian elite military unit and the honour guard of the President of the Italian Republic. Their motto "Virtus in periculis firmior" means Courage becomes stronger in danger.”

8th "Lancieri di Montebello" Regiment (Roma)

April 14, 2019 in Rome, Soldati della Repubblica, Military Portrait, Portraiture, Regimental Sittings, Top Moment

Soldati della Repubblica constitutes my second major military portrait project. Following on from Soldiery British Army Portraits, my aim to capture the modern face, tradition and history of the Esercito Italiano.

Tony Blair Portrait Sitting

April 10, 2019 in Prime Minister, Featured Sitting, Corporate Commission, London, Political Portraits, Northerners, Charity, Top Moment, Case Study

Recently I invited former Prime Minister Tony Blair to sit for a portrait in London. Mr Blair served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2007. The third Prime Minister of my career, it was an exciting prospect to capture his Portrait.

H.R.H Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, KG, GCMG, GCVO, CD, ADC Portrait Sitting

April 04, 2019 in Royal Portrait, Portraiture, London, Featured Sitting, Military Portrait, Charity, Army General, Top Moment, Case Study, Top Clients

Prince Edward, Duke of Kent is a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II through their fathers, Prince George, Duke of Kent, and King George VI. He has held the title of Duke of Kent for over 76 years.

Recreating Meditative Renaissance Inspired Religious Scenes

March 31, 2019 in Selah, Works, Portraiture, Los Angeles, Top Moment

It’s not unusual for photographers to be inspired by other types of art. As you may have noticed their is a great deal of renaissance Italian influence in my portraiture.

Recreating St. Thomas - Jusepe de Ribera

March 11, 2019 in Los Angeles, Works, Selah, Top Moment

In his depiction of the doubting apostle Saint Thomas, he holds the spear that he was martyred with near Madras. The portrait inspired a recent sitting for my Selah project, with Actor Tony Amendola. Tony boasts a noble profile, sitting for me several times over the past few years, he is one of my favourite subjects.

Recreating Gustave Doré "The Neophyte”

March 10, 2019 in Works, Los Angeles, Selah, Top Moment

Gustave Doré (1832–1883), throughout my career has continued to inspire my work . I even wrote my dissertation on his illustrations of The Crusades. One of his most famous pieces “The Neophyte” shows a young man in a monastery with other monks who are much older and appear to be worn out or suffering. During my last working visit to Los Angeles, I had to chance to recreate the painting with six remarkable actors, Tony Amendola, Peter Van Norden, Leo Marks, Bo Foxworth, James Sutorius and Frank Weitzel.

Tess Harper Portrait Sitting

February 25, 2019 in Portraiture, Actors Headshots, Los Angeles, Selah, Celebrity, Top Moment

Tess Harper is an American actress. She was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress for her first film role in 1983's Tender Mercies, and for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for the 1986 film Crimes of the Heart. Her other film appearances include Flashpoint (1984), Ishtar (1987), Far North (1988), and No Country for Old Men (2007). She also had a recurring role on the first three seasons of Breaking Bad (2008–10).

(The Guardian Interview) Rory Lewis's best photograph: David Cameron looks back without regret.

January 23, 2019 in Published, Interview, Portraitist, Top Moment, Political Portraits, Case Study

Thank you to the Guardian’s Tim Jonze interviewing me for the Best Shot Column about my recent portrait sitting with former Prime Minister David Cameron. Link to the article, transcript also below.

David Cameron Prime Minister Portrait Sitting

December 23, 2018 in Portraiture, Featured Sitting, London, Prime Minister, Portraitist, Political Portraits, Corporate Commission, Charity, Top Moment

One of the most challenging sittings of my career, I was recently commissioned to capture a portrait of former Prime Minister David Cameron. Serving as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2010 to 2016. Brexit has been a challenging time in British Politics, resulting in David Cameron’s resignation.

Ciarán Hinds Actor Portrait Sitting

October 14, 2018 in Actors Headshots, Featured Sitting, Portraiture, London, Portraitist, Celebrity, Selah, Top Moment

Ciarán was very kind to accept my invitation to sit for a portrait in March of this year. The sitting was very memorable, Hinds was astonishing, creating expressions and emotions that almost hold the viewer. My directional inspiration for the sitting flowed from three themes. The first to capture Ciarán as a penitent man, who believes, the second, a focused individual, the third a man who doubts. Hinds created complex and vigorous characters were embodied by energy and animation.

Winner of the Portrait of Britain 2018

September 01, 2018 in Military Portrait, Portraiture, Awards, Soldiery, Top Moment

Portrait of Britain is presented by British Journal of Photography. Photographer Rory Lewis portrait of British Army Soldier Warrant Officer Class 2 Deborah Penny. Deborah serving 30 years in the British Army’s Royal Logistic Corps as a Bomb disposal expert; made Army history as the first transgender Soldier to serve in the front line.

BBC News Interview (In pictures: Behind the mask) 31st July 2018

July 31, 2018 in BBC Interview, Portraitist, Published, Top Moment

Thank you to BBC in Pictures Corespondent Phil Coomes, interviewing me about my Portraitist Photography Exhibition. The exhibition opens at Wex Photographic’s Gallery in Whitechapel on 1st August 2019.Please see full transcript below.

Lieutenant General James Bashall CBE Portrait Sitting

June 07, 2018 in Military Portrait, Featured Sitting, Portraiture, Army General, Soldiery, Corporate Commission, Top Moment

Delighted to work with Lieutenant General James Bashall CBE, who commissioned a military portrait sitting at his Headquarters in Aldershot. A tall and imposing man, Lieutenant General Bashall was a hero of the Iraq War. He commanded the 1st Mechanised Brigade in Basra, in 2007.

1st Battalion, The Rifles Portrait Sittings

May 26, 2018 in Soldiery, Military Portrait, Portraiture, Regimental Sittings, Top Moment

The subjects of my first photoshoot, where the Soldiers of 1st Battalion, The Rifles. I discovered little has changed since the Napoleonic Wars. The Rifles, are still at the forefront of battle, trained as marksmen. They don’t carry a flag. Instead, their Battle Honours are carried on Parade uniforms.

H.R.H Prince Michael of Kent, GCVO, KStJ, CD Portrait Sitting

May 09, 2018 in Portraiture, Royal Portrait, Military Portrait, Featured Sitting, Portraitist, Charity, Army General, Top Moment

H.R.H Prince Michael of Kent, GCVO, KStJ, CD is a member of the British Royal Family. He is a paternal first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, being a grandson of King George V and Queen Mary. His Royal Highness commissioned a portrait at the London Studio.

Captain Buddhi Bhandari MVO Portrait Sitting

May 03, 2018 in Portraiture, Soldiery, Military Portrait, Top Moment

‘Soldiery‘ British Army Portraits, has given me a great deal of exposure. Since the completion of the project I have been offering portraits to Military and Police personnel. One of my latest commissions took place with Gurkha Engineer, Captain Buddhi Bhandari MVO, who recently won the Royal Victorian Order for brave actions during the recent Nepal Earthquake.

Soldiery British Army Portraits Exhibition The National Army Museum 31st January 2018

January 31, 2018 in Soldiery, Key Event, Top Moment

Two years in the making and Soldiery British Army Portraits opened at The National Army Museum in London on 31st January 2018. It was delightful to finally hang the work in its rightful home.