Jonathan Sacerdoti — Headshots of a Leading Broadcaster and Commentator

Jonathan Sacerdoti — Headshots of a Leading Broadcaster and Commentator (Rory Lewis Headshot & Portrait Photographer London)

Last month in my Central London studio, I had the pleasure of capturing a series of cinematic headshots and portraits of Jonathan Sacerdoti—a British broadcaster, journalist, producer, and prominent voice on issues of extremism, antisemitism, race relations, Middle Eastern affairs, and the British royal family. Known for his sharp analysis and measured commentary across networks including Fox News, i24news, Cheddar, E! Daily Pop, and Us Weekly, Jonathan brings a unique blend of intellect, lived experience, and clarity to contemporary public discourse.

Born in London in 1980, Jonathan studied English Language and Literature at Balliol College, Oxford, earning the OxTALENT prize for IT and literature. His family history is deeply interwoven with themes he often explores as a journalist—his father, Cesare, survived the Holocaust, and his paternal grandfather served as an Italian rabbi. Jonathan has spoken widely about the persecution his family endured, the bravery of those who protected his father during the Italian racial laws, and the ongoing fight against antisemitism across Europe and beyond.

Jonathan Sacerdoti — Headshots of a Leading Broadcaster and Commentator (Rory Lewis Headshot & Portrait Photographer London)

His career spans print, broadcast, production, and campaigning. Beginning with a byline in The Daily Telegraph at just 17, he has since become a Special Correspondent for The Jewish Chronicle, contributed to The Spectator and Daily Express, and appeared as a trusted analyst across global news networks. He has worked in television production for Channel 4, Channel 5, ITV, Shine, and Endemol—where his original series My Childhood was commissioned by the BBC and went on to win BAFTA Scotland’s Best Factual Programme. Jonathan was also part of the consortium that acquired The Jewish Chronicle in 2020, safeguarding the future of one of Britain’s most historic journalistic institutions.

Jonathan Sacerdoti — Headshots of a Leading Broadcaster and Commentator (Rory Lewis Headshot & Portrait Photographer London)

Jonathan Sacerdoti — Headshots of a Leading Broadcaster and Commentator (Rory Lewis Headshot & Portrait Photographer London)

Alongside journalism, Jonathan has devoted much of his voluntary work to combating antisemitism and extremism. As a founding trustee of Campaign Against Antisemitism and trustee of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre UK, as well as a representative of the Spanish and Portuguese Jews’ Congregation on the Board of Deputies, his advocacy is rooted in both historical understanding and contemporary urgency. His commentary often highlights the nuances of identity, community, and language—challenging mislabelled racial frameworks and confronting public figures when harmful narratives arise.

Jonathan Sacerdoti — Headshots of a Leading Broadcaster and Commentator (Rory Lewis Headshot & Portrait Photographer London)

In the studio, Jonathan brought an immediate presence—quiet strength, intensity, and a clarity of gaze that translated powerfully through the lens. I crafted a series of portraits that emphasised that duality: the sharp, analytical mind and the deeply personal history beneath it. Using my signature cinematic lighting, inspired by the chiaroscuro of Caravaggio and the psychological depth of Ribera, we shaped a collection of images that feel both editorial and timeless.

These portraits join a growing body of my work with public figures—actors, intellectuals, politicians, and leaders—who shape dialogue in the UK and abroad. Whether photographing William Shatner, Sir Patrick Stewart, or Ray Dalio, my aim is always the same: to reveal the human behind the public persona, to create portraits that endure, and to honour each subject’s story with precision and artistry.

Jonathan’s session was no exception. The resulting images are powerful, refined, and richly expressive—portraits that capture not only who he is, but what he represents in the modern media landscape.