Rory Lewis Photographer Headshots & Portraiture

A multiple BAFTA-nominated performer, Johnny has shaped some of the most iconic British television and film of the past two decades. He is perhaps best known for his unforgettable portrayal of Mick in Shane Meadows’ BAFTA-winning cult series This Is England ‘86, a performance that earned him both BAFTA and Royal Television Society Award nominations. The final episode of the series was recently named “The Greatest TV Episode of All Time” by The Independent — a testament not only to the writing and direction, but to Johnny’s raw, magnetic presence on screen.

I would like to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who attended my recent Portrait Photography Workshop. The energy, focus, and creative ambition in the room made it a truly exceptional two days.

Andy Burnham has long been regarded as one of the most compelling figures in British politics — a politician whose authority is rooted as much in conviction as in connection. Recently, Burnham was blocked from standing as a candidate in the Gorton and Denton parliamentary by-election after Labour’s ruling body declined to grant approval. As a directly elected mayor, he was required to seek permission from the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), which cited the desire to “avoid an unnecessary mayoral election” and the associated cost to taxpayers.

It was a wonderful surprise to see my portraits of the late, great David Warner appear twice in the newly released Tron: Ares — once as a framed painting within a pivotal office scene, and again as part of an onscreen newscast montage. To witness Warner resurrected, recognised, and woven into the visual language of the film was deeply moving.

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.

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.

For years, I’ve held an ambition close to my creative heart: to photograph the extraordinary quartet behind The League of Gentlemen. Mark Gatiss, Steve Pemberton, Reece Shearsmith, and Jeremy Dyson forged a world of pitch-black humour, grotesque beauty, and unforgettable characters. As a teenager, their work opened a doorway to the kind of atmospheric, stylised storytelling that still influences my portraiture today.

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.

It was a pleasure to welcome actor Michael James Shaw (The Walking Dead, Avengers: Infinity War, Endgame) back to my studio for our second sitting together. Michael is one of those rare performers who can shift seamlessly between roles, and this session was the perfect opportunity to explore that range.

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 global finance, credibility is established long before the first conversation. Presence, composure, and clarity all play a role—and a portrait must quietly communicate all three. This was the guiding principle behind my recent executive portrait session with Alex Wall, Head of the US CLO Syndicate at BNP Paribas, photographed at my Midtown Manhattan studio.

William Shatner is a name that needs little introduction. To most of the world, he will forever be Captain James T. Kirk—bold, charismatic, impossible to ignore. Yet behind the legend is a man of immense curiosity, wit, and surprising passions, among them a deep devotion to horses. It is this quiet, personal side of Shatner that inspired our latest portrait together.

Trooper Collins is one of the first women to serve in the prestigious Household Cavalry, a regiment renowned for its rich history and traditionally male ranks. Her inclusion represents a milestone in the evolution of this distinguished unit. Captured as part of Rory Lewis’s celebrated project, Soldiery: British Army Portraits, this compelling image highlights the changing face of the British Armed Forces.

Capturing the essence of youth in a historical framework is a rare and delicate challenge. For my ongoing ChronoVisions project, I had the opportunity to photograph Oleksandr Chepikov, a talented young actor, at my studio in Los Angeles. This portrait became an exploration of timelessness through the lens of innocence and quiet determination.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my ChronoVisions project is the ability to explore the emotions and complexities of my subjects within a historical and artistic framework. Recently, I had the privilege of photographing Barbara Ramos, a striking and thoughtful subject whose presence brought a unique depth to this ongoing series.

As a photographer, I’ve always been fascinated by the intersection of history and storytelling. My latest portrait, titled "The Civil Code," is a continuation of my ChronoVisions series, a project inspired by the enigmatic Chronovisor and the allure of exploring different eras through art. This particular portrait takes its cues from the Napoleonic era, a time of revolutionary change and enduring influence.

This recent portrait of Jordan Patrick Smith is part of my ongoing project, ChronoVisions: An Epochal Fusion, a series that brings the mysterious allure of the Chronovisor into the realm of modern photography. Inspired by an array of artistic icons, including Frank Herbert, Caravaggio, David Lynch, Gustave Dore, and Ribera, this project is an ambitious exploration of historical eras through the lens of contemporary portraiture.

It’s not every day you get to work with someone who was a huge part of your teenage years, but that's exactly what happened when I had the pleasure of photographing the brilliant Paul Kaye for my ChronoVisions: An Epochal Fusion series. Known for his iconic character Dennis Pennis and more recently his roles in Game of Thrones and After Life, Paul brought a unique and captivating energy to the shoot. What unfolded was an unforgettable collaboration that seamlessly merged historical narrative with contemporary portraiture.

I was honored to be commissioned to create the cover portrait for the forthcoming memoir of Lord Nicholas Monson a deeply personal work that reflects a life shaped by both privilege and profound loss. The memoir traces Monson’s childhood, inheritance, and the devastating tragedy of losing both of his sons, demanding a portrait that could hold emotional gravity without excess.

Last week, I had the privilege of photographing actor Steven Ogg at my Los Angeles studio for my ongoing Selah project. My portraiture has long been shaped by the visual language of Renaissance and Baroque painting—particularly the works of Rembrandt, Caravaggio, Titian, and Ribera. Their mastery of light, atmosphere, and psychological depth continues to inform how I approach contemporary portraiture.

Artists are often shaped by other disciplines, and my portraiture has long been informed by the visual language of Renaissance and Baroque painting. Drawing from the Old Masters—Rembrandt, Caravaggio, Titian, and Ribera—I seek to recreate the sculptural light, atmosphere, and tonal depth of classical portraiture. This influence is most fully realised in my ongoing fine-art series, Selah.

My portrait session with Andy Serkis is one of the latest additions to my ongoing project Selah. The series draws on the mood and dramatic lighting of the Old Masters, especially the tenebrism of Caravaggio and Ribera. For Andy’s sitting, I wanted to create a moment of quiet reflection—something raw, intimate, and rooted in a sense of personal pilgrimage.

In the world of entertainment and comedy, few names resonate with the sheer versatility and commanding presence of Greg Davies. Best known for his role as the infamously strict yet hilariously psychotic Head of Sixth Form, 'Mr. Gilbert', in the Channel 4 sitcom "The Inbetweeners" and its subsequent feature films, Davies has carved a niche for himself that transcends traditional comedic boundaries. His towering height matched only by his towering talent, Greg's journey from a beloved TV character to a mainstay on the British comedy scene is a testament to his multifaceted capabilities and innate comedic genius.

As a photographer, there are moments that stand out in one's career—those instances when passion and profession converge, creating an opportunity to capture the essence of someone who has inspired you for years. For Rory Lewis, that moment came when he had the privilege of photographing the talented actor, comedian, director, and writer, Steve Pemberton.

Influenced by the atmosphere of the 1930s and shaped by visual references to Caravaggio, Frank Herbert, David Lynch, and classical portraiture, each image embodies a surreal tension between classical light and modern expression. The result is a hybrid documentation of imagined histories—portraits that feel both ancient and entirely new.

In a quiet moment at the Los Angeles studio, Rory Lewis photographed Xander Berkeley—an actor whose career is defined not by spectacle, but by intelligence, restraint, and an unmistakable sense of presence. The session focused on distillation: removing excess to reveal character, history, and intent within the frame.