Rory Lewis: Portrait & Headshot Photographer

In this newly unveiled portrait of former Prime Minister Tony Blair, portrait photographer Rory Lewis explores not the image of power but its human cost. Years after their first sitting, Lewis captures Blair with a softened expression yet undiminished intellect—an introspective study of conviction, consequence, and time.

I was commissioned by The Free Press to photograph Usha Vance, the Second Lady of the United States. The session took place at her residence on Observatory Hill—a quiet morning where pale spring light slipped through bare branches and drifted softly across cream silk and wide-leg tailoring. The atmosphere carried both intimacy and a quiet sense of national importance.

In the fast-moving world of finance, trust, clarity, and confidence shape every decision. For DoubleLine — one of the most respected independent, employee-owned investment firms in the United States — presenting a strong, authentic visual identity is essential. When the company sought portraits that reflected its leadership's precision, professionalism, and credibility, they turned to portrait photographer Rory Lewis.

Former Mayor of Los Angeles and current U.S. Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, became my latest portrait subject during a recent session at my Los Angeles studio. As with all my political portraiture, the sitting was shaped not simply by technique, but by a deep well of artistic influence—most notably the indelible mark left on me by Hans Holbein the Younger. Holbein’s work has been woven into my visual consciousness since childhood.

Maye Musk is a rare figure whose presence transcends industry and era. A model of international acclaim and a respected dietitian, her career spans over five decades, marked by intelligence, resilience, and an unmistakable elegance. She has appeared on the covers of Time (Health Edition), Women’s Day, international editions of Vogue, and the iconic Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue—each image reinforcing her status as a modern cultural icon.

In this portrait of Ray Dalio, photographed in New York in 2022, I set out to capture one of the most defining transitions in modern finance — the moment a master of markets chose to rethink his own long-held beliefs.

Photographing Prime Minister Theresa May stands as one of the most significant political sittings of my career. Lady May is the fourth British Prime Minister I have had the honour to photograph—an opportunity that places this session within a long-standing tradition of documenting national leadership for posterity.

Simon Hart MP is a British politician who has served as Secretary of State for Wales since 2019. A member of the Conservative Party, he was first elected to Parliament in the 2010 general election.

Gavin Williamson CBE MP is a prominent British Conservative politician, first elected as the Member of Parliament for South Staffordshire in 2010. At the time of this sitting, he was serving as Secretary of State for Education and required a contemporary set of portraits that reflected an approachable, professional, and forward-looking image ahead of the General Election.

Inviting former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair to sit for a portrait in London was a remarkable opportunity. Serving as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2007, he was the third former leader I have photographed—an exciting and significant moment in my ongoing work documenting contemporary political history.

This portrait of former Prime Minister David Cameron was one of the most demanding yet rewarding sittings of my career. Captured in London, the session offered a rare opportunity to portray a figure who played a defining role in a turbulent chapter of British political history. Serving as Prime Minister from 2010 to 2016, David Cameron remains a complex and often polarising figure, shaped by the pressures of leadership and the legacy of Brexit.

I was commissioned by the UK Government to create an official portrait sitting with Baroness Rona Fairhead CBE, one of Britain’s most accomplished business leaders and public servants. As Minister of State for Trade and Export Promotion at the Department for International Trade, Baroness Fairhead played a vital role in shaping the UK’s global commercial strategy, following a distinguished career across media, finance, and international business.

In 2016, I reached out to Sir John to request a sitting. We initially planned to photograph in Autumn of that year, but the seismic events of Brexit—where Sir John played a prominent role as a vocal Remain campaigner—delayed the session. It wasn’t until July 2018 that our schedules aligned and the portrait could finally take place in London.