Sir Patrick Stewart - actor - photographed by Rory Lewis - Los Angeles
There is a distinct, electric energy that hums through the streets of Studio City and the surrounding Hollywood studio lots. This is the historic epicenter of storytelling, where soundstages rise like modern-day colosseums and the line between reality and imagination is constantly blurred. Over the years, working out of my Los Angeles studio space, I’ve had the distinct privilege of photographing the very actors who anchor the biggest science fiction and fantasy franchises in cinematic history.
When you are tasked with photographing the captains of starships, the leaders of mutant rebellions, and the wizards of Middle-earth, the challenge is unique. How do you strip away the uniforms, the capes, and the visual effects to capture the raw, human gravitas of these genre giants?
Here is a masterclass breakdown of what it’s like to photograph Sir Patrick Stewart, Sir Ian McKellen, and William Shatner in the heart of Hollywood.
David Warner - actor - photographed by Rory Lewis - Los Angeles
The Atmosphere of the Hollywood Studio
Photographing in Los Angeles—particularly around the historic hubs of Studio City, Burbank, and West Hollywood—means you are surrounded by the legacy of television and film. These actors spend thousands of hours under the glaring, hot lights of LA soundstages, surrounded by massive crews.
When they step into my portrait studio, the goal is to create a stark contrast to that chaos. The environment becomes intimate, quiet, and deliberate. By utilizing dramatic, Old Master-inspired lighting—a far cry from the flat, bright lighting often used in network sci-fi television—I aim to ground these larger-than-life figures in profound, classical reality.
Sir Patrick Stewart: The Classical Commander
When Sir Patrick Stewart steps in front of the lens, he brings with him a staggering blend of classical Shakespearean training and the iconic, commanding presence of Star Trek's Captain Jean-Luc Picard and X-Men's Professor Charles Xavier.
The Masterclass Approach: The key to photographing Sir Patrick is capturing his profound, quiet intellect. He doesn't need to project loudly to be the most powerful presence in the room. I utilize deep, cinematic shadows (often referred to as Rembrandt or Chiaroscuro lighting) to carve out the distinguished lines of his face. The direction is minimal; you ask him to simply hold the gaze of the lens. The result is a portrait that feels less like a Hollywood headshot and more like a timeless painting of a historical statesman.
Sir Ian McKellen - actor - photographed by Rory Lewis - Los Angeles
Sir Ian McKellen: The Theatrical Titan
Sir Ian McKellen is a chameleon of the highest order, beloved by millions as Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings and Magneto in the X-Men franchise. Behind the wizard's staff and the magnetic helmet is one of the most brilliant theatrical minds of our generation.
The Masterclass Approach: Ian brings a beautiful, dramatic grandiosity to a sitting, but he is also incredibly generous with his vulnerability. To capture his gravitas, the focus must be on his eyes. There is a mischievous spark, a deep well of sorrow, and a towering wisdom all existing simultaneously in his expression. In the studio, encouraging a subtle shift in posture—a slight lean forward, a drop of the chin—transforms him from a beloved celebrity into a figure of mythic weight.
William Shatner - actor - photographed by Rory Lewis - Los Angeles
William Shatner: The Dynamic Icon
William Shatner’s Captain James T. Kirk is arguably the most recognizable sci-fi hero in the history of American television. Shatner himself is a force of nature—a whirlwind of charisma, energy, and Hollywood history.
The Masterclass Approach: During my sitting with Bill, I had exactly 15 minutes to capture the essence of a screen icon. When working with high-energy, high-profile talent on a tight Hollywood schedule, the photographer must take total, confident control of the room. The lighting must be locked in perfectly beforehand. To capture Shatner’s unique brand of gravitas, I directed him to find a moment of stillness amidst his natural kinetic energy. By freezing that split second of intense, focused eye contact, the portrait reveals the enduring strength and magnetism of a true leading man.
