“Never meet your heroes—they’ll only disappoint you.” It’s advice we’ve all heard, often with a smirk of world-weariness behind it. But I’d argue otherwise. In my experience as a portrait photographer, meeting—and photographing—my heroes didn’t just live up to expectations; it shaped the very arc of my career.
Over the years, I’ve had the honour of photographing three screen legends who inspired me long before I ever picked up a camera: David Warner, Sir Patrick Stewart, and William Shatner. These weren’t just portfolio additions; they were personal milestones—moments of artistic growth, moments of validation, and, most importantly, moments of connection with the people behind the personas.
David Warner – The Elusive Hamlet
Actor David Warner, Rory Lewis Photographer Los Angeles 2025
David Warner was my very first acting role model. As a teenager obsessed with history and theatre, I first came across his 1965 portrayal of Hamlet with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Though I only experienced it through archival clips and secondhand stories, his performance stayed with me—sensitive, human, and unlike any Shakespeare I had ever seen or imagined.
Decades later, when I began my Northerners portrait project, I knew I had to photograph Warner. But he was famously elusive when it came to portraits—he hadn’t sat for a professional session since Cecil Beaton captured him in 1965. I wrote to every agency I could find, in both the UK and US, but never received a response.
Persistence is key in portraiture—and so is timing. I discovered Warner would be appearing at a Hammer Horror convention in London. I wrote another letter and arranged for it to be hand-delivered at the event. This time, he replied. He agreed.
Actor David Warner, Rory Lewis Photographer Los Angeles 2025
Actor David Warner, Rory Lewis Photographer Los Angeles 2025
The sitting took place in London. Warner was everything I’d hoped for—intelligent, composed, and emotionally fluent. His expressions held remarkable depth, often revealing more in a single glance than most actors could in a monologue. The session was intimate and powerful. One of the portraits was later acquired by the National Portrait Gallery for its permanent collection—a validation I’ll never forget.
After David’s death, I was moved to see Sir Patrick Stewart had written his obituary in The Guardian. I reached out to him, and to my surprise and delight, he invited me to brunch in Hollywood. We reminisced about Warner. Patrick recalled watching him as Hamlet in ’65—how dazzled he had been, how much he had learned just standing beside him on stage. “He will always be in my heart,” Patrick told me. I understood completely. Warner remains in mine, too.
Sir Patrick Stewart – A Shakespearean Icon, Reimagined
My sitting with Sir Patrick Stewart came in 2014, and it remains one of the most formative moments of my career. Like Warner, Patrick had been a fixture of my cultural upbringing—Shakespearean titan, Starfleet captain, mutant mentor. His presence is magnetic, his career legendary.
Sir Patrick Stewart, Rory Lewis Photographer Los Angeles 2025
I wrote to his agency in London. No reply. But when I discovered he was starring in Waiting for Godot at the Cort Theatre on Broadway, I tried again. A letter was sent. Weeks later, I received an email. It was from Sir Patrick himself. He would agree to the portrait, but only if I came to New York.
At the time, I was shooting a wedding in Liverpool. As I waited in the hotel lobby, a pink Hummer limousine arrived for the bridal party. I took it as a sign—I booked the flight to New York that evening.
The portrait session was scheduled for May 5th at Neo Studios in Manhattan. I arrived jetlagged but prepared, drawing inspiration from Holbein’s portrait of Sir Thomas More. I chose a stark black backdrop to isolate Patrick’s features, to bring the intensity of his gaze into sharp relief. I wasn’t there to photograph Picard or Xavier—I wanted to capture Stewart, the actor, the human being.
Sir Patrick Stewart, Rory Lewis Photographer Los Angeles 2025
What followed was an extraordinary 20-minute session. Patrick was confident, responsive, and open to direction. His experience on stage and screen made him a joy to work with. We created portraits that felt timeless—expressions that carried weight, purpose, and subtlety. The session opened doors in ways I could never have imagined, propelling my work into international recognition.
Sir Patrick Stewart, Rory Lewis Photographer Los Angeles 2025
A decade later, sitting across from Patrick at brunch, I presented him with a print of the portrait. It was a full-circle moment—a quiet testament to what persistence, preparation, and shared artistry can create.
William Shatner – 15 Minutes with a Legend
Of the three, photographing William Shatner was the most intense—and the most compressed. I’ve now photographed him twice, but in total, I’ve only had 15 minutes with him. They’re 15 minutes I wouldn’t trade for anything.
William Shatner, Rory Lewis Photographer Los Angeles 2025
In early 2015, I wrote to Shatner while planning a trip to Los Angeles. I expressed my interest in including him in my Expressive portrait series. To my surprise, he agreed.
I was told I’d have 10 minutes to set up and just 5 minutes to shoot. No pressure, then.
As I entered his office, I caught a glimpse of the man himself through the blinds—Captain Kirk, in the flesh. My childhood fandom collided with my professional purpose. I asked for a neutral expression. “I don’t do plain,” he quipped. Fair enough. I rephrased: “Emotionless.” That struck a chord.
He closed his eyes, composed himself, and looked directly into the lens. In that moment, everything aligned. The portrait we made was stark, contemplative, and utterly unguarded.
William Shatner, Rory Lewis Photographer Los Angeles 2025