Manhattan as the Backdrop

Manhattan as the Backdrop

There is no neutral way to photograph Manhattan, and there is no neutral way to be photographed in it. The city imposes itself on every frame. For the 25–31 May 2026 New York headshot residency, Rory Lewis has chosen this consciously — the work will be made in Manhattan because Manhattan changes what a portrait means.

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What Makes a Rory Lewis Headshot Different

What Makes a Rory Lewis Headshot Different

Most headshots are produced. A Rory Lewis headshot is composed.

This distinction matters more than it first sounds. The bulk of professional headshot photography in New York and London is built around a production model — bright, even, frontal lighting, a plain backdrop, a repeatable formula. The work is competent and the turnaround is fast, but the image is rarely memorable. Run a hundred LinkedIn pages side by side and they begin to blur into each other.

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New York Headshots with Rory Lewis | 25–31 May 2026

New York Headshots with Rory Lewis | 25–31 May 2026

For one week only, celebrity and royal portrait photographer Rory Lewis returns to New York with a limited series of private headshot sessions running from Sunday 25 May through Saturday 31 May 2026. Based in a Midtown Manhattan studio, this will be Rory's most concentrated New York residency to date — and with only a small number of sittings available across the seven days, places are expected to be claimed quickly.

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Michael Richardson – Model Digitals with Rory Lewis

Michael Richardson – Model Digitals with Rory Lewis

Michael Richardson stepped into the studio for a set of striking model digitals that highlight his natural presence and versatility. With clean lines, sharp features, and effortless style, Michael’s digitals provide agencies with exactly what they need: unfiltered, authentic images that showcase his potential across fashion, lifestyle, and commercial work.

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🇦🇺Honouring Heroism: Mike Pratt, GC (1948–2025)

🇦🇺Honouring Heroism: Mike Pratt, GC (1948–2025)

Through my Non Profit Heroes in Focus, Rory Lewis is dedicated to preserving the faces and stories of those whose courage defines our shared history. It was an honour to have captured the portrait of Mike Pratt, GC, whose bravery and humility stand among the finest examples of service.

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Ben Miles — Portrait Sitting with Rory Lewis

Ben Miles — Portrait Sitting with Rory Lewis

It was an absolute pleasure to photograph Ben Miles, whose remarkable career spans stage, film, and television. From his breakout role in the BBC comedy Coupling to his nuanced portrayal of Peter Townsend in The Crown and most recently as Tay Kolma in Andor, Ben has long stood as one of Britain’s most versatile actors.

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Actor Brad Dibben — Captured at the London Studio

Actor Brad Dibben — Captured at the London Studio

With over two decades of experience, Rory Lewis is one of the UK’s leading photographers, celebrated for his exceptional skill in crafting actors’ headshots that open doors and define careers. His London studio has welcomed hundreds of talented performers—each session tailored to reveal the individuality and emotional

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Capturing Character: Actress Jennifer Riker at the London Studio

Capturing Character: Actress Jennifer Riker at the London Studio

This week, I had the pleasure of photographing Jennifer Riker, an accomplished American actress whose striking versatility spans television, film, and voiceover. Best known for her compelling portrayal of Dr. Helga Jace in the Warner Bros/DC Entertainment hit series Black Lightning, Jennifer brings an incredible depth of intelligence and nuance to every role she inhabits.

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Field Marshal Lord Richards — Portrait Sitting for Heroes in Focus

Field Marshal Lord Richards — Portrait Sitting for Heroes in Focus

Field Marshal David Julian Richards, Baron Richards of Herstmonceux, GCB, CBE, DSO, DL—appointed Honorary Field Marshal by His Majesty The King in June 2025—sat for my non-profit archive, Heroes in Focus, on Monday, 6 October 2025. This portrait marks a significant addition to our mission to document the living history of Britain’s senior military leadership.

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Field Marshal The Lord Houghton of Richmond Portrait Sitting

Field Marshal The Lord Houghton of Richmond Portrait Sitting

My first portrait of Lord Houghton was taken in 2014 when he was Chief of the Defence Staff. Over a decade later, photographing him again as Field Marshal felt like closing a chapter — capturing the passage of time, service, and quiet dignity that defines a lifetime of leadership.

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Patek Philippe: Fathers, Sons & Legacy – Portraits by Rory Lewis at the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair

Patek Philippe: Fathers, Sons & Legacy – Portraits by Rory Lewis at the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair (Rory Lewis Photographer)

This autumn, Patek Philippe commissioned acclaimed portrait photographer Rory Lewis to capture a series of portraits during an exclusive VIP event at the Mandarin Oriental London, Mayfair.

The evening celebrated one of Patek Philippe’s most profound themes — the timeless bond between fathers and sons, and the passing of treasured watches to the next generation. Through his lens, Rory Lewis documented intimate moments of legacy, family, and heritage, capturing the emotion and elegance that define both the brand and its collectors.

Each portrait reflects the signature Lewis aesthetic — a balance of classical composition, modern sensibility, and evocative storytelling. Against a rich backdrop echoing the sophistication of Patek Philippe, attendees were photographed with the poise and refinement worthy of the brand’s storied tradition.

Patek Philippe: Fathers, Sons & Legacy – Portraits by Rory Lewis at the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair (Rory Lewis Photographer)

Patek Philippe: Fathers, Sons & Legacy – Portraits by Rory Lewis at the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair (Rory Lewis Photographer)

Patek Philippe: Fathers, Sons & Legacy – Portraits by Rory Lewis at the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair (Rory Lewis Photographer)

Patek Philippe: Fathers, Sons & Legacy – Portraits by Rory Lewis at the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair (Rory Lewis Photographer)

Rory’s direction emphasizes authenticity and connection, allowing sitters to express their individuality while remaining true to the narrative of the evening — continuity, craftsmanship, and time itself.

About Rory Lewis Photographer

Based in Los Angeles, with studios in New York and London, Rory Lewis is an internationally recognized portrait photographer whose work is part of the National Portrait Gallery Collection in London. His distinctive approach combines precise direction and inventive scenarios, producing portraits that transcend the ordinary.

Rory’s corporate and advertising clients include Lloyds Banking Group, JP Morgan, Nutmeg, Cancer Research UK, John Lewis, the Ministry of Defence, and the UK Government. His ability to capture authenticity and gravitas has made him a trusted photographer for leaders, actors, and brands worldwide.

Capturing Young Actor Saint’s Headshots at Our Los Angeles Studio

Capturing Young Actor Saint’s Headshots at Our Los Angeles Studio

At our Downtown Los Angeles studio, I recently had the pleasure of photographing Saint, a promising young actor whose natural confidence and expressive presence made for a truly engaging headshot session.

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Two Out of Three Isn’t Bad — Photographing The Stars of the League of Gentlemen

Two Out of Three Isn’t Bad — Photographing The Stars of the League of Gentlemen

Rory Lewis reflects on his long-held ambition to photograph The League of Gentlemen—icons of British comedy. Having already captured Steve Pemberton in 2024 and recently photographed Reece Shearsmith in London, he now hopes to complete the trio with Mark Gatiss. The post celebrates Lewis’s admiration for their dark, intelligent humour and explores his belief that comedy and portraiture share a deep connection through their study of human expression and character.

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Photographing Tony Blair: A Study of Power, Legacy, and Reinvention

Photographing Tony Blair: A Study of Power, Legacy, and Reinvention

In this newly captured, unreleased portrait of former Prime Minister Tony Blair, I set out to create not a likeness of power, but a meditation on it. Blair, who led Britain from 1997 to 2007, remains a defining and divisive figure—a man whose influence continues to ripple across politics and history.

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Capturing Actress & Director Ana Peralta Chong

Capturing Actress & Director Ana Peralta Chong

It was a real pleasure to welcome actress, director, and creative force Ana Peralta Chong into my Downtown Los Angeles studio for a recent session of headshots and digitals.

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Capturing Peter O’Meara: Lauded Character Actor at My Los Angeles Studio

Capturing Peter O’Meara: Lauded Character Actor at My Los Angeles Studio

It was an honor to welcome Peter O’Meara into my Los Angeles studio for a headshot session. A lauded character actor, Peter has built an extraordinary career across stage and screen, with performances that have captivated audiences in both Europe and the United States.

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Capturing James Packard: Actor & Broadcaster in Los Angeles

Capturing James Packard: Actor & Broadcaster in Los Angeles

It was a pleasure to welcome actor and broadcaster James Packard into my Downtown Los Angeles studio for a recent headshot session. James, known for his role in Darkness Reigns (2017), was born in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, on August 13, 1995, and raised in Denver, Colorado. From a young age, he felt a strong pull toward the craft of acting, pursuing it with focus during his college years. Today, he continues to balance his work on screen and in broadcasting, carving out a distinctive presence in the entertainment industry.

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Gunnery Sergeant Marcus Lewis, U.S. Marine Corps

Gunnery Sergeant Marcus Lewis, U.S. Marine Corps

On October 7, 2023, Israel faced its darkest day. At the heart of the crisis was Gunnery Sergeant Marcus Lewis, U.S. Marine Corps, commander of the Marine Security Guard Detachment at the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem. His firsthand account in Caught in the Crossfire reveals the urgency of split-second decisions, the courage of embassy staff, and the weight of protecting American lives under siege.

Through the Heroes in Focus Foundation, I had the honor of capturing his portrait—ensuring his service and story are preserved for future generations.

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Congratulations to Stephen Graham on His Emmy Win

Congratulations to Stephen Graham on His Emmy Win

What an incredible moment for one of Britain’s finest actors. Stephen Graham has been named Outstanding Lead Actorat the Emmy Awards for his unforgettable performance in Netflix’s Adolescence.

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Capturing the Essence of Sean Hemeon: Actor, Writer, and Artist at Rory Lewis’s LA Studio

Capturing the Essence of Sean Hemeon: Actor, Writer, and Artist at Rory Lewis’s LA Studio

In the world of Hollywood, every actor, writer, and artist is constantly striving to capture their unique essence—a challenge that requires more than just good lighting and a perfect backdrop. It’s about revealing the inner character, the subtle emotions, and the vibrant energy that sets them apart. This is exactly what actor, writer, and artist Sean Hemeonachieved when he recently partnered with Rory Lewis, the celebrated Los Angeles-based headshot photographer, to capture his headshots at Rory’s studio in Downtown LA.

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