Fifteen years behind the lens both in the UK, Europe and the USA fills your schedule. Even during the COVID out-break I have been keeping busy fitting in portrait photoshoots between lockdowns. Teaching portrait photography from time to time. I have adapted to an online format of offering mentorship and tuition.
Over the years I’ve worked to build up an eclectic practice to focus on portraiture. The bulk of my work mainly consists of shooting headshots with actors or corporate clients. Several times a month I will be commissioned to shoot celebrity, royal or political portraits, or work with various militaries to capture portraiture which may be used for a recruitment campaign.
H.R.H Prince Edward Duke of Kent Rory Lewis Photographer 2019
For instance one day I could be commissioned to photography His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, for a new official portrait. Another day I could be on location with The Coldstream Guards in Windsor, or capturing headshots at my London Studio.
On a typical day, I like to begin my day slowly, I work late and when not travelling enjoy a little sleep in. I’ll start by checking through my emails, answering queries and settling up appointments. I’ll then sit down with my wife Alexandra who works with me.
Alexandra responsible for marketing our business on social media and promoting my services online. We will spend around 30 minutes discussing a new campaign or marketing strategy. Even if we are travelling or abroad we will have this important morning discussion. Employing someone to help market your business allows you more time to concentrate on your photography and clients.
Late morning I’ll begin with my first portrait/headshot session, these typically take around 1-2 hours per client. Often I’ll see 3-4 clients per day. As mentioned I enjoy an eclectic photography practice and working with actors, politicians, corporate or celebrity clients. If I’m not shooting I’ll be teaching mostly these days via Zoom, or retouching images for clients.
In the late afternoon/evening, either I’ll retouch images or send edited files to clients. My main tool has always been Dropbox, which is a must for photographers. One day per week, I’ll dedicate to my projects. I believe personal photography projects are of up most importance to a photographer. In order to move your work forwards, my latest project involves working with the British Army to capture the first female soldiers to join combat regiments. Recording history has always been my passion as a photographer.
1st Lieutenant Batts (The Royal Tank Regiment) Rory Lewis Photographer 2019
Sir Ian McKellen (Rory Lewis Photographer 2019)
If my schedule is light in the later afternoon I’ll do some research. 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. I have made use of Evernote for many years to make notes and capture useful articles and clips. Drawing inspiration from the Old Master painters like Caravaggio, Titian and Ribera. Reading about the old masters or watching a movie by a director who has been influenced my the greats has become a useful pastime.
Most of my UK work takes place at my London Studio, located in Farringdon it serves as both our workplace, office and London home being able to utilise a 1000 SQFT loft style space. The studio is fully equipped with two Profoto Lighting and boasts a full array of collapsible backdrops, reflectors and stands. Utilising only one or two lights for my portraiture I don’t need a great deal of equipment. This comes in very handy as it means I don’t need to travel far.
If travelling to USA or Europe, often we will make use Airbnb to rent a live/work space. Airbnb, offers live/work spaces for professionals. This can be arranged online using their website, offering a professional studio space and home while working abroad. Living and working in the same studio location keeps our costs to a minimum. Allowing for more competitive pricing and less travel to expensive studio locations. Utalising portable photography equipment, Profoto makes our life easier, along with Manfrotto Collapsible backdrops and Manfrotto Nano Stands.
Rory Lewis Capturing Headshots of Sir Patrick Stewart.