Peter Van Norden & Frank Weitzel.jpg

Selah

The Hebrew word selah appears throughout the Book of Psalms. Its precise meaning is mysterious, but it is interpreted as a pause to breathe and reflect.

EXHIBITION 12th - 19th October, Liverpool City Centre

Exhibition as part of Liverpool City Councils Without Wall’s project will take place in conjunction with Liverpool City Council, Arts Council England Fund & JCDecaux. Displayed across digital screens in Liverpool’s major Railway Stations, Liverpool Central, Liverpool James Street, Moorfields & Liverpool Lime Street.

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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. Drawing inspiration from the Old Master painters like Rembrandt, Caravaggio, Titian and Ribera. I have attempted to masterfully recreate the light, atmosphere and tones of classical portrait paintings. This is even more apparent in my latest project entitled Selah.

Mark Margolis (Rory Lewis Photographer) Selah Exhibition

Mark Margolis (Rory Lewis Photographer) Selah Exhibition

The Hebrew word selah appears throughout the Book of Psalms. Its precise meaning is mysterious, but it is interpreted as a pause to breathe and reflect. “It has been my aim throughout the project to attempt to recreate meditative religious scenes, directing my subjects to capture the highest moment of drama.”

”Selah has found its foundation’s in counter reformation art. “I have been lost in the work of Ribera. His depictions of saints and religious figures, draw their inspiration directly from Caravaggio’s tenebrism.”

The exhibition features portraits of well known faces including Sir Patrick Stewart, Sir Ian McKellen & Dame Judi Dench.

About Rory

Rory Lewis is a dedicated portraitist who has spent over a decade on a quest to capture many of the world’s most recognised faces. Sittings have included the likes of William Shatner, Tony Blair, Sir Ian McKellen, Iain Glen, Rufus Sewell, Natalie Dormer to name a few. Several iconic portraits of Rory’s have been acquired by the National Portrait Gallery in London.

Rory breaks the mould of typical risk-averse portraiture which is commissioned within the media industry. Dynamically challenging the established norm and instead injecting moments of spontaneity, and even awkwardness, into his imagery he successfully shuns the aggrandising and sycophantic result typically seen in portraits of the famous. Rory’s aim is to strip back the artificial layers of staid portraiture and replace it with strangeness and a sense of quiet.

Behind the Scenes Videos

Selah Blog Posts
Remembering Mark Margolis: A Tribute through Portraits
Actors Headshots, Celebrity, Featured Sitting, Los Angeles, New York, London, Top Moment, Selah, Portraitist
Remembering Mark Margolis: A Tribute through Portraits
Actors Headshots, Celebrity, Featured Sitting, Los Angeles, New York, London, Top Moment, Selah, Portraitist

Today, as we mourn the passing of the talented American actor, Mark Margolis, I find myself reflecting on the moments I had the privilege of spending with him during our portrait sessions. Mark's career spanned decades, and he starred in numerous films, leaving an indelible mark on the industry. Most notably, his portrayal of Hector Salamanca in "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul" earned him critical acclaim and an Emmy Award nomination in 2012.

Actors Headshots, Celebrity, Featured Sitting, Los Angeles, New York, London, Top Moment, Selah, Portraitist
Maye Musk Digital Photographer Magazine
Interview, Portraiture, Selah, Published
Maye Musk Digital Photographer Magazine
Interview, Portraiture, Selah, Published

Thank you, Peter Fenech, Editor of Digital Photographer Magazine, for featuring my captivating portraits of Maye Musk. I am grateful for the recognition, exposure, and support this opportunity has brought. Maye Musk's inspiring presence shines through these photographs, and I appreciate the platform to share my work.

Interview, Portraiture, Selah, Published
Michael James Shaw Digital Photographer Magazine
Selah, Published, Interview
Michael James Shaw Digital Photographer Magazine
Selah, Published, Interview

Thank you, Peter Fenech, Editor of Digital Photographer Magazine, for publishing an article featuring my portrait sitting with actor Michael James Shaw. Your support and belief in my work are deeply appreciated, and I am grateful for the exposure and recognition this opportunity has brought.

Selah, Published, Interview
Notre Dame Rory Lewis (Selah) Guest Lecture April 19th 2023
Works, Selah, Key Event, Charity
Notre Dame Rory Lewis (Selah) Guest Lecture April 19th 2023
Works, Selah, Key Event, Charity

Notre Dame has asked me to guest lecture at the University on 19th April 2023. I’m looking forward to visiting South Bend, Indiana. My project Selah will take centre stage. I’ll be discussing the religious and fine art inspiration behind the project.

Works, Selah, Key Event, Charity
Sarah Wayne Callies Selah Project Portrait Photoshoot
Selah, Portraiture, Los Angeles, Featured Sitting
Sarah Wayne Callies Selah Project Portrait Photoshoot
Selah, Portraiture, Los Angeles, Featured Sitting

Actress, writer, director, Sarah Wayne Callies is best known for starring in multiple hit television series The Walking Dead, Prison Break and Colony. Sarah & myself collaborated on a portrait photoshoot at the Los Angeles studio for a new project entitled Selah.

Selah, Portraiture, Los Angeles, Featured Sitting
Michael James Shaw Actor Portraits Los Angeles
Actors Headshots, Celebrity, Featured Sitting, Los Angeles, New York, Portraiture, Selah, Top Moment, Works, Top Clients
Michael James Shaw Actor Portraits Los Angeles
Actors Headshots, Celebrity, Featured Sitting, Los Angeles, New York, Portraiture, Selah, Top Moment, Works, Top Clients

Always seeking phenomenal actors to pose for my projects. invited Michael James Shaw to the Los Angeles Studio. Capturing a series of vivid and thought provoking images. Starring in the Walking Dead and Limitless. Michael is the quintessential actor, such a pleasure to photograph, using light and shadow, and drawing inspiration from the old masters such as Caravaggio the results are stunning to behold.

Actors Headshots, Celebrity, Featured Sitting, Los Angeles, New York, Portraiture, Selah, Top Moment, Works, Top Clients
Eva Elfie Caravaggio Portrait
Celebrity, Los Angeles, Portraiture, Selah, Works, Top Moment
Eva Elfie Caravaggio Portrait
Celebrity, Los Angeles, Portraiture, Selah, Works, Top Moment

Second post in my series with Eva Elfie Portrait in the style of Caravaggio’s Mary Magdalen in Ecstasy. Capturing the remarkable depiction I directed Eva to pose with strong wrists, her fingers are crossed, head fallen back against a dark background and at the same time, she has a unique expression. In a style of Tenebrism used shadows and highlights to capture this unique portrait. Rory Lewis Photographer is available in Los Angeles, New York & London for fine art portraiture photoshoots. Limited edition print of the portrait is also on sale below, signed by Rory Lewis Photographer.

Celebrity, Los Angeles, Portraiture, Selah, Works, Top Moment
Jared Harris Portrait Photoshoot Los Angeles
Actors Headshots, Celebrity, Los Angeles, Selah, Portraiture, Portraitist
Jared Harris Portrait Photoshoot Los Angeles
Actors Headshots, Celebrity, Los Angeles, Selah, Portraiture, Portraitist

Jared Harris is a British actor. His roles include Lane Pryce in the AMC television drama series Mad Men, for which he was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.

Actors Headshots, Celebrity, Los Angeles, Selah, Portraiture, Portraitist
David Morrissey Portrait Photoshoot Los Angeles
Actors Headshots, Celebrity, Featured Sitting, London, Los Angeles, New York, Portraiture, Selah, Northerners, Corporate Commission
David Morrissey Portrait Photoshoot Los Angeles
Actors Headshots, Celebrity, Featured Sitting, London, Los Angeles, New York, Portraiture, Selah, Northerners, Corporate Commission

David Morrissey is an English actor and filmmaker. Described by the British Film Institute as "one of the most versatile English actors of his generation", he is noted for the meticulous preparation and research he undertakes for his roles.

Actors Headshots, Celebrity, Featured Sitting, London, Los Angeles, New York, Portraiture, Selah, Northerners, Corporate Commission
Andrew Divoff Portrait Photoshoot Los Angeles
Los Angeles, Portraiture, Featured Sitting, Celebrity, Selah
Andrew Divoff Portrait Photoshoot Los Angeles
Los Angeles, Portraiture, Featured Sitting, Celebrity, Selah

Andrew Divoff sat for a portrait photoshoot to be included in my Selah Exhibition at the Los Angeles studio in Downtown LA.

Los Angeles, Portraiture, Featured Sitting, Celebrity, Selah
Kevin McNally Portrait Photoshoot London
Los Angeles, London, Portraiture, Featured Sitting, Celebrity, Selah
Kevin McNally Portrait Photoshoot London
Los Angeles, London, Portraiture, Featured Sitting, Celebrity, Selah

Kevin McNally is an English actor and writer. He is known for portraying Joshamee Gibbs in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series.

Los Angeles, London, Portraiture, Featured Sitting, Celebrity, Selah
Clare Foster Caravaggio Style Portraits
Portraitist, Portraiture, Selah, London, Actors Headshots
Clare Foster Caravaggio Style Portraits
Portraitist, Portraiture, Selah, London, Actors Headshots

Caravaggio inspires many of my projects, recently I had the chance to collaborate with Actress Clare Foster. Recreating the character of Judith from the painting, Judith Beheading Holofernes the biblical episode by Caravaggio.

Portraitist, Portraiture, Selah, London, Actors Headshots
Nicholas Woodeson Portrait Sitting London
Actors Headshots, London, Portraiture, Featured Sitting, Works, Celebrity, Selah
Nicholas Woodeson Portrait Sitting London
Actors Headshots, London, Portraiture, Featured Sitting, Works, Celebrity, Selah

Nicholas Woodeson is an English film, television and theatre actor, and Drama Desk and Olivier award nominee. He reached a global audience as Julius Caesar's clever and loyal "body slave" Posca, in the BBC/HBO TV blockbuster, 'Rome'.

Actors Headshots, London, Portraiture, Featured Sitting, Works, Celebrity, Selah
Tony Amendola (Saint Francis in Meditation) Caravaggio Project Photoshoot Los Angeles
Selah, Works, Portraiture, London, Liverpool, Los Angeles, Manchester, Leeds, Featured Sitting, Top Moment
Tony Amendola (Saint Francis in Meditation) Caravaggio Project Photoshoot Los Angeles
Selah, Works, Portraiture, London, Liverpool, Los Angeles, Manchester, Leeds, Featured Sitting, Top Moment

At the beginning of October, after a very long 18 month separation, I was able to reconnect with friends and clients in New York & Los Angeles.

In the back of my mind, I had been itching to capture long time friend and phenomenal actor Tony Amendola in the style of Caravaggio’s St Francis.

Selah, Works, Portraiture, London, Liverpool, Los Angeles, Manchester, Leeds, Featured Sitting, Top Moment
A Year of Hell! Especially for Actors & Photographers
Actors Headshots, Liverpool, Leeds, London, Los Angeles, Manchester, Selah
A Year of Hell! Especially for Actors & Photographers
Actors Headshots, Liverpool, Leeds, London, Los Angeles, Manchester, Selah

Just before Covid-19 ravaged my industry and that of Actors & Entertainers. I did have the chance to express my frustration on a portrait sitting with Actor Chad Philips. Who expressed my Caravaggisti creative direction in this depiction of anger and frustration.

Actors Headshots, Liverpool, Leeds, London, Los Angeles, Manchester, Selah
Selah Exhibition Liverpool Liverpool’s Without Walls Project
Key Event, Liverpool, Selah, Works, Top Moment
Selah Exhibition Liverpool Liverpool’s Without Walls Project
Key Event, Liverpool, Selah, Works, Top Moment

Gratifying to see Selah previewed in my home city of Liverpool from 12-19th October 2020. The pictures were due to be shown in March, but due to the coronavirus the show was postponed.

Key Event, Liverpool, Selah, Works, Top Moment
Selah Exhibition Liverpool
Selah, Portraiture
Selah Exhibition Liverpool
Selah, Portraiture

Excited to announce Selah will be exhibited first in my home city of Liverpool. The exhibition will be displayed on JCDecaux screens in all of the city centre’s mainline train stations from 12th - 19th October 2020.

Selah, Portraiture
Digital SLR Photography Magazine Interview July 2020
London, Military Portrait, Portraiture, Published, Selah, Los Angeles, Interview, Soldati della Repubblica, Corporate Commission
Digital SLR Photography Magazine Interview July 2020
London, Military Portrait, Portraiture, Published, Selah, Los Angeles, Interview, Soldati della Repubblica, Corporate Commission

Thank you to Digital SLR Photography Magazine Contributing Editor Caroline Schmidt, interviewing me about my work and future projects. Please see full transcript below.

(Full Interview) 01 July, 2020

Written by: by Caroline Schmidt, Contributing Editor

London, Military Portrait, Portraiture, Published, Selah, Los Angeles, Interview, Soldati della Repubblica, Corporate Commission
Michael Harney Actor Portraits Los Angeles
Actors Headshots, Celebrity, Featured Sitting, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, Manchester, New York, Portraiture, Selah, Corporate Commission
Michael Harney Actor Portraits Los Angeles
Actors Headshots, Celebrity, Featured Sitting, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, Manchester, New York, Portraiture, Selah, Corporate Commission

Michael John Harney is an American actor of film, television, and theater. He is best known for starring on the Netflix original series Orange Is the New Black as Corrections Officer Sam Healy. In 2019, he had a recurring role in the Apple TV+ series For All Mankind.

Actors Headshots, Celebrity, Featured Sitting, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, Manchester, New York, Portraiture, Selah, Corporate Commission
Photo Plus Magazine Interview
Celebrity, Featured Sitting, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, Manchester, Military Portrait, New York, Portraiture, Portraitist, Published, Selah, Works, Interview
Photo Plus Magazine Interview
Celebrity, Featured Sitting, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, Manchester, Military Portrait, New York, Portraiture, Portraitist, Published, Selah, Works, Interview

Thank you to Photo Plus Magazine Writer Keith Wilson FRGS, interviewing me about my Selah work and future projects. Please see full transcript below.

Celebrity, Featured Sitting, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, Manchester, Military Portrait, New York, Portraiture, Portraitist, Published, Selah, Works, Interview
Yadira Guevara-Prip Portrait Sitting New York
Actors Headshots, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, Leeds, New York, Portraiture, Selah, Featured Sitting
Yadira Guevara-Prip Portrait Sitting New York
Actors Headshots, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, Leeds, New York, Portraiture, Selah, Featured Sitting

Yadira Guevara-Prip is an American stage and television actor, best known for her work on Star Trek: Discovery. I was delighted Yadi accepted my invitation to sit for a portrait at the New York Studio. The portrait to be featured in my Selah Exhibition.

Actors Headshots, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, Leeds, New York, Portraiture, Selah, Featured Sitting
Dame Judi Dench Portrait Sitting
Actors Headshots, Portraiture, Selah, Celebrity, Featured Sitting, Corporate Commission, Northerners, Top Moment
Dame Judi Dench Portrait Sitting
Actors Headshots, Portraiture, Selah, Celebrity, Featured Sitting, Corporate Commission, Northerners, Top Moment

Dame Judi sat for a portrait to be featured in my Selah Exhibition at her home last month. The sitting gave me the chance to experiment with a series of interesting expressions and characters. The session lasting just over a short period of 15 minutes, I was able to capture a portfolio of truly spontaneous and unique portraits.

Actors Headshots, Portraiture, Selah, Celebrity, Featured Sitting, Corporate Commission, Northerners, Top Moment
Recreating Saint Peter in Penitence (Ribera)
Selah, Portraiture, New York, Los Angeles, London, Works
Recreating Saint Peter in Penitence (Ribera)
Selah, Portraiture, New York, Los Angeles, London, Works

It’s not unusual for photographers to be inspired by other types of art. As you may have noticed there is a great deal of Renaissance Italian influence in my portraiture. Drawing inspiration from the Old Master painters like Caravaggio, Titian and Ribera.

Selah, Portraiture, New York, Los Angeles, London, Works
Ray Proscia Actor Portraits Los Angeles
Selah, Rome, Portraiture, New York, Los Angeles, Featured Sitting, London
Ray Proscia Actor Portraits Los Angeles
Selah, Rome, Portraiture, New York, Los Angeles, Featured Sitting, London

Ray Proscia is an American actor rose to fame with his portrayal of characters in TV Shows like Imposters, Suits, and The man in the High Castle. He appeared in the TV Show Suits from 2017 which helped him to boost his career as well as features on the new show The Resident as Terry Camden from 2019.

Selah, Rome, Portraiture, New York, Los Angeles, Featured Sitting, London
Amateur Photographer Magazine April 2020
Celebrity, London, Los Angeles, Portraiture, Selah, Published, Interview
Amateur Photographer Magazine April 2020
Celebrity, London, Los Angeles, Portraiture, Selah, Published, Interview

Thank you to Amateur Photographer Magazine Editor Amy Davies, interviewing me about my Selah Photography Exhibition. The exhibition opens at Wex Photographic’s Gallery in Whitechapel in September 2020. Please see full transcript below.

Celebrity, London, Los Angeles, Portraiture, Selah, Published, Interview
Ciarán Hinds Portrait Sitting London
Actors Headshots, Author Portraits, Celebrity, Featured Sitting, London, Selah, Corporate Commission
Ciarán Hinds Portrait Sitting London
Actors Headshots, Author Portraits, Celebrity, Featured Sitting, London, Selah, Corporate Commission

Ciarán Hinds is an Irish actor, featuring in films such as Road to Perdition, Munich, There Will Be Blood, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Frozen, Silence, and Justice League, in which he portrayed the main antagonist Steppenwolf.

Actors Headshots, Author Portraits, Celebrity, Featured Sitting, London, Selah, Corporate Commission
James Purefoy Portrait Sitting
Actors Headshots, Featured Sitting, London, Los Angeles, New York, Portraiture, Selah, Corporate Commission, Top Moment
James Purefoy Portrait Sitting
Actors Headshots, Featured Sitting, London, Los Angeles, New York, Portraiture, Selah, Corporate Commission, Top Moment

James Purefoy retuned to the London studio for another portrait sitting to be included in my latest project entitled Selah.

Actors Headshots, Featured Sitting, London, Los Angeles, New York, Portraiture, Selah, Corporate Commission, Top Moment
James Cromwell Portrait Sitting New York
Celebrity, New York, Selah, Featured Sitting, Portraiture, Top Moment
James Cromwell Portrait Sitting New York
Celebrity, New York, Selah, Featured Sitting, Portraiture, Top Moment

James sat for a photoshoot in New York last month; the portraits where taken for for my Selah project. Directing James I asked him to imagine he had taken a long pilgrimage. Now reaching the end of the journey, my impetus was to capture a man of faith who is almost pensive, taking the time to meditate and reflect.

Celebrity, New York, Selah, Featured Sitting, Portraiture, Top Moment
Mark Margolis Portrait Sitting New York
Celebrity, Featured Sitting, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, New York, Selah, Portraiture, Top Moment
Mark Margolis Portrait Sitting New York
Celebrity, Featured Sitting, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, New York, Selah, Portraiture, Top Moment

Mark Margolis has starred in dozens & dozens of films from 1492 to Hannibal, The Wrestler and of course Scarface. Not to mention the Television Series Breaking Bad, as the notorious man with the Bell, Hector “Tio” Salamanca.

Celebrity, Featured Sitting, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, New York, Selah, Portraiture, Top Moment
Recreating Caravaggio Saint Jerome
Works, Selah, Portraiture, New York, Los Angeles, London, Liverpool, Leeds, Top Moment
Recreating Caravaggio Saint Jerome
Works, Selah, Portraiture, New York, Los Angeles, London, Liverpool, Leeds, Top Moment

Saint Jerome Writing, also called Saint Jerome in His Study or simply Saint Jerome, is an oil painting by Italian painter Caravaggio. Working with model Frank Weitzel who assumed the role of St Jerome, we created living depiction of the work. Deciding to retain Frank’s Tattoo adds an interesting flair to the portrait.

Works, Selah, Portraiture, New York, Los Angeles, London, Liverpool, Leeds, Top Moment