Sir Patrick Stewart Northerners Exhibition

Northerners

Rory’s iconic portrait exhibition returns to Manchester in August 2019. Featuring portraits of Northern Icon’s such as Sir Patrick Stewart, Sir Ian McKellen, Craig Charles and many more.

Rory Lewis is a dedicated portraitist who has spent over a decade on a quest to capture many of the world’s most recognised faces. ‘Northerners’ first exhibited in 2014, will return in August 2019 to Manchester. The exhibition features a collection of portraits from a cross section of Northern Celebrities, Sports Personalities, Actors, Politicians and people encountered. Featuring Sittings with Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Patrick Stewart, Karl Pilkington and Craig Charles.

Excitedly, Rory will be exhibiting the project comprised of vivid and thought-provoking portraits at Wex Photo Video Gallery in Manchester.

Rory himself a Northerner, born in Chester, divides his time between London and Los Angeles working with a wide variety of clients. In addition to his projects and private portraits, his photography has been commissioned by Pepsi, Universal, The British Army, The Times, The Guardian and Cancer Research UK among others.

Rory breaks the mould of typical risk-averse portraiture which is commissioned within the media industry. Dynamically challenging the established norm and instead injecting moments of spontaneity, and even awkwardness, in to his imagery he successfully shuns the aggrandising and sycophantic result typically seen in portraits of the famous. Rory’s aim is to strip back the artificial layers of staid portraiture and replace it with strangeness and a sense of quiet.

Rory draws immense inspiration not from previous photographers, but from the Masters of Art including Hans Holbein the Younger, Titian, Caravaggio and Jusepe de Ribera. The result is an exciting and fascinating new collection.


Exhibition Dates & Locations

OPEN EVENING 1ST AUGUST 2019

Manchester 1st August – 31st October 2019

Wex Photo & Video

Downing Street Industrial Estate,

Charlton Place, Manchester

M12 6HH

 

Exhibition Sponsors

Northerners Blog Posts
A Revisit to My Portrait Sitting with the Legendary Ian McShane
Actors Headshots, Los Angeles, Portraiture, Northerners, Featured Sitting, Celebrity
A Revisit to My Portrait Sitting with the Legendary Ian McShane
Actors Headshots, Los Angeles, Portraiture, Northerners, Featured Sitting, Celebrity

From Lovejoy to Deadwood and Pirates of the Caribbean, Ian McShane has solidified his place as a screen legend, captivating audiences with his portrayals of bad guys, scoundrels, and thieves. In this blog post, we revisit my unforgettable portrait sitting with the English actor, director, producer, and voice artist. Get ready for a trip down memory lane as I share insights into the session and unveil a never-before-seen image from the original portrait sitting.

Actors Headshots, Los Angeles, Portraiture, Northerners, Featured Sitting, Celebrity
David Morrissey Portrait Photoshoot Los Angeles
Actors Headshots, Celebrity, Featured Sitting, London, Los Angeles, New York, Portraiture, Selah, Northerners, Corporate Commission
David Morrissey Portrait Photoshoot Los Angeles
Actors Headshots, Celebrity, Featured Sitting, London, Los Angeles, New York, Portraiture, Selah, Northerners, Corporate Commission

David Morrissey is an English actor and filmmaker. Described by the British Film Institute as "one of the most versatile English actors of his generation", he is noted for the meticulous preparation and research he undertakes for his roles.

Actors Headshots, Celebrity, Featured Sitting, London, Los Angeles, New York, Portraiture, Selah, Northerners, Corporate Commission
Photographing Ant & Dec
You Tube, Portraiture, London, Liverpool, Leeds, Los Angeles, Manchester, Actors Headshots, Celebrity, Featured Sitting, Photography Tips, Northerners, Corporate Commission, Top Moment, Case Study, Top Clients
Photographing Ant & Dec
You Tube, Portraiture, London, Liverpool, Leeds, Los Angeles, Manchester, Actors Headshots, Celebrity, Featured Sitting, Photography Tips, Northerners, Corporate Commission, Top Moment, Case Study, Top Clients

Projects are essential, as a portrait photographer promoting your technique & style is a tried and tested method of securing new clients and interest in your work. Renown presenters Ant & Dec sat for a dual portrait just before the new normal became wonted. The portrait took centre stage in Northerners, a collection of faces who hail from the North of England, just like myself, exhibited in Manchester last year.

You Tube, Portraiture, London, Liverpool, Leeds, Los Angeles, Manchester, Actors Headshots, Celebrity, Featured Sitting, Photography Tips, Northerners, Corporate Commission, Top Moment, Case Study, Top Clients
Dame Judi Dench Portrait Sitting
Actors Headshots, Portraiture, Selah, Celebrity, Featured Sitting, Corporate Commission, Northerners, Top Moment
Dame Judi Dench Portrait Sitting
Actors Headshots, Portraiture, Selah, Celebrity, Featured Sitting, Corporate Commission, Northerners, Top Moment

Dame Judi sat for a portrait to be featured in my Selah Exhibition at her home last month. The sitting gave me the chance to experiment with a series of interesting expressions and characters. The session lasting just over a short period of 15 minutes, I was able to capture a portfolio of truly spontaneous and unique portraits.

Actors Headshots, Portraiture, Selah, Celebrity, Featured Sitting, Corporate Commission, Northerners, Top Moment
Photo Bite Interview In Conversation: Rory Lewis’ Northerners
Interview, Manchester, Northerners
Photo Bite Interview In Conversation: Rory Lewis’ Northerners
Interview, Manchester, Northerners

Thank you to Photo Bite Editor Simon Skinner, interviewing me about my Northerners Photography Exhibition. The exhibition opened at Wex Photographic’s Gallery in Manchester on 1st August 2019. Please see full transcript below.

Interview, Manchester, Northerners
Manchester Confidential Northerners Interview
Interview, Manchester, Northerners
Manchester Confidential Northerners Interview
Interview, Manchester, Northerners

Thank you to Manchester Confidential Editor VICKY SMITH, interviewing me about my Northerners Photography Exhibition. The exhibition opened at Wex Photographic’s Gallery in Manchester on 1st August 2019. Please see full transcript below.

Interview, Manchester, Northerners
I Love Manchester Northerners Exhibition Interview
Interview, Manchester, Published, Northerners
I Love Manchester Northerners Exhibition Interview
Interview, Manchester, Published, Northerners

Thank you to I Love Manchester Editor Susan Griffin, interviewing me about my Northerners Photography Exhibition. The exhibition opens at Wex Photographic’s Gallery in Manchester on 1st August 2019. Please see full transcript below.

Interview, Manchester, Published, Northerners
Photography News Issue #68
Interview, Published, Northerners
Photography News Issue #68
Interview, Published, Northerners

Thank you to Photography News interviewing me about my Northerners Photography Exhibition full interview transcript below.

Interview, Published, Northerners
Jamie Lomas Actor Portraits Liverpool
Actors Headshots, Celebrity, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, New York, Northerners, Portraiture
Jamie Lomas Actor Portraits Liverpool
Actors Headshots, Celebrity, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, New York, Northerners, Portraiture

Jamie Lomas is an English television actor, known for his roles as Warren Fox in Hollyoaks, Jake Stone in EastEnders and Jeff Durkin in Coronation Street. Jamie very kindly agreed to sit for a portrait at the Liverpool Studio. The portrait will be featured in my Northerners Exhibition, taking place in Manchester from the 1st August 2019.

Actors Headshots, Celebrity, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, New York, Northerners, Portraiture
Stephen Graham Portrait Sitting
Actors Headshots, Celebrity, Liverpool, London, Leeds, Los Angeles, Northerners, Portraitist, Portraiture, Featured Sitting, Top Moment
Stephen Graham Portrait Sitting
Actors Headshots, Celebrity, Liverpool, London, Leeds, Los Angeles, Northerners, Portraitist, Portraiture, Featured Sitting, Top Moment

Stephen accepted my invitation to sit for a portrait at the London Studio. I’ve admired his work for many years. Graham is not only a screen icon, but a fellow scouser.

Actors Headshots, Celebrity, Liverpool, London, Leeds, Los Angeles, Northerners, Portraitist, Portraiture, Featured Sitting, Top Moment
Karl Pilkington Portrait Sitting Curtis Brown Management
Portraiture, Featured Sitting, Celebrity, Corporate Commission, London, Northerners, Advertising
Karl Pilkington Portrait Sitting Curtis Brown Management
Portraiture, Featured Sitting, Celebrity, Corporate Commission, London, Northerners, Advertising

Recently I was commissioned by Curtis Brown Management to capture a series of promotional portraiture for Karl Pilkington. An English travel show presenter, actor, author and all-round funny man who shot to fame alongside Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant with the radio programme, the Ricky Gervais Show.

Portraiture, Featured Sitting, Celebrity, Corporate Commission, London, Northerners, Advertising
Tony Blair Portrait Sitting
Prime Minister, Featured Sitting, Corporate Commission, London, Political Portraits, Northerners, Charity, Top Moment, Case Study
Tony Blair Portrait Sitting
Prime Minister, Featured Sitting, Corporate Commission, London, Political Portraits, Northerners, Charity, Top Moment, Case Study

Recently I invited former Prime Minister Tony Blair to sit for a portrait in London. Mr Blair served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2007. The third Prime Minister of my career, it was an exciting prospect to capture his Portrait.

Prime Minister, Featured Sitting, Corporate Commission, London, Political Portraits, Northerners, Charity, Top Moment, Case Study
Bill Speakman VC Portrait Sitting ‘I was The Queen’s first VC’
Leeds, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, Military Portrait, Northerners, New York, Victoria Cross
Bill Speakman VC Portrait Sitting ‘I was The Queen’s first VC’
Leeds, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, Military Portrait, Northerners, New York, Victoria Cross

The Victoria Cross & George Cross Portrait Project has been an exceptionally challenging, yet rewarding. Individuals who have been awarded the Victoria Cross have been selected because they are worthy of Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealand’s highest military award for their bravery and conduct in the field.

Leeds, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, Military Portrait, Northerners, New York, Victoria Cross
Baroness Rona Fairhead CBE Portrait Sitting, UK GOV Commission
Corporate Commission, Advertising, Featured Sitting, Liverpool, Leeds, London, Los Angeles, New York, Northerners, Political Portraits, Portraiture, Charity
Baroness Rona Fairhead CBE Portrait Sitting, UK GOV Commission
Corporate Commission, Advertising, Featured Sitting, Liverpool, Leeds, London, Los Angeles, New York, Northerners, Political Portraits, Portraiture, Charity

Portraits from a recent Portrait Commission with Rona Fairhead, Baroness Fairhead, CBE Minister of State at the Department for International Trade. She is a former Chairman of the BBC Trust and was the first woman to hold the post.

Corporate Commission, Advertising, Featured Sitting, Liverpool, Leeds, London, Los Angeles, New York, Northerners, Political Portraits, Portraiture, Charity
Baron Bernard Hogan-Howe, QPM Portrait Sitting
Portraiture, Northerners, Corporate Commission, Featured Sitting, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, New York, Charity
Baron Bernard Hogan-Howe, QPM Portrait Sitting
Portraiture, Northerners, Corporate Commission, Featured Sitting, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, New York, Charity

Bernard Hogan-Howe, Baron Hogan-Howe, QPM is a former police officer and was the Chief of London's Metropolitan Police from 2011 until 2017.

Portraiture, Northerners, Corporate Commission, Featured Sitting, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, New York, Charity
Erica Kemp Lord Mayor of Liverpool (Liverpool City Council|)
Liverpool, London, Leeds, Corporate Commission, Featured Sitting, Portraiture, Political Portraits, Northerners, Los Angeles, Charity, Advertising, Top Clients, Top Moment
Erica Kemp Lord Mayor of Liverpool (Liverpool City Council|)
Liverpool, London, Leeds, Corporate Commission, Featured Sitting, Portraiture, Political Portraits, Northerners, Los Angeles, Charity, Advertising, Top Clients, Top Moment

Liverpool City Council commissioned a Portrait of the new Lord Mayor of Liverpool Councillor Erica Kemp CBE. Over the past few months I have been fascinated by the use of hands in my portraits, I asked the Mayor if she could clasp her hands in the image.

Liverpool, London, Leeds, Corporate Commission, Featured Sitting, Portraiture, Political Portraits, Northerners, Los Angeles, Charity, Advertising, Top Clients, Top Moment
William Hague Portrait Sitting
London, Featured Sitting, Political Portraits, Northerners, Portraiture
William Hague Portrait Sitting
London, Featured Sitting, Political Portraits, Northerners, Portraiture

Baron Hague, at for a portrait to be included in my Northerners Exhibition. His name is synonymous with modern political discourse, but to meet him in person, you would not think it. He is a very witty man who was reeling jokes off through the entire sitting.

London, Featured Sitting, Political Portraits, Northerners, Portraiture
Craig Charles Portrait Sitting
Actors Headshots, Northerners, New York, Los Angeles, London, Liverpool, Leeds, Portraiture, Featured Sitting
Craig Charles Portrait Sitting
Actors Headshots, Northerners, New York, Los Angeles, London, Liverpool, Leeds, Portraiture, Featured Sitting

Lister! “Sorry ‘i’m a Red Dwarf Fan”……. Craig Charles star of Coronation Street, Red Dwarf  and Robot Wars, recently sat for a portrait session in Manchester. Craig was in need of new promotional material for his DJ and Radio Work. I am no stranger to working with Musicians, DJ”s and Talent.

Actors Headshots, Northerners, New York, Los Angeles, London, Liverpool, Leeds, Portraiture, Featured Sitting
General Sir Nicholas Houghton, Baron Houghton of Richmond, GCB, CBE, DL Portrait Sitting
Army General, CDS, Military Portrait, London, Northerners, Soldiery, Featured Sitting, Corporate Commission, Top Moment
General Sir Nicholas Houghton, Baron Houghton of Richmond, GCB, CBE, DL Portrait Sitting
Army General, CDS, Military Portrait, London, Northerners, Soldiery, Featured Sitting, Corporate Commission, Top Moment

General Sir Nicholas Houghton is Chief of the Defence Staff of the British Armed Forces. At the beginning of this year, I wrote a letter to Ministry of Defence Head Quarters at Whitehall to invite General Houghton to Sit for a Northerners Photography Exhibition Portrait, the General being from Otley, Yorkshire.

Army General, CDS, Military Portrait, London, Northerners, Soldiery, Featured Sitting, Corporate Commission, Top Moment
Iain Glen Portrait Sitting
Actors Headshots, Featured Sitting, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, Northerners, Expressive, Portraitist, Portraiture, Celebrity, Top Moment, Top Clients
Iain Glen Portrait Sitting
Actors Headshots, Featured Sitting, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, Northerners, Expressive, Portraitist, Portraiture, Celebrity, Top Moment, Top Clients

Iain Glen is a Scottish film, television, and stage actor best known for his roles in the Resident Evil films and for portraying Ser Jorah Mormont in Game of Thrones. Iain accepted my invitation to sit for a portrait a few weeks ago.

Actors Headshots, Featured Sitting, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, Northerners, Expressive, Portraitist, Portraiture, Celebrity, Top Moment, Top Clients
Northerners: Rory Lewis photographs Gandalf and a General 21st October 2014
BBC Interview, Portraiture, Northerners, Liverpool, Published
Northerners: Rory Lewis photographs Gandalf and a General 21st October 2014
BBC Interview, Portraiture, Northerners, Liverpool, Published

Thank you to BBC Corespondent Chris Long interviewing me about my Northerners Photography Exhibition. Speaking in particular about my sittings with Sir Patrick Stewart, Sir Ian McKellen, full transcript below.

BBC Interview, Portraiture, Northerners, Liverpool, Published
Sir Patrick Stewart Portrait Sitting
Portraiture, Featured Sitting, Northerners, Celebrity, Top Moment, Top Clients
Sir Patrick Stewart Portrait Sitting
Portraiture, Featured Sitting, Northerners, Celebrity, Top Moment, Top Clients

I had assumed that only sheer luck or destiny would place Sir Patrick Stewart in front of my lens. Somewhat surprisingly though, after 24 years of dreaming about capturing his portrait, it was the sight of a vulgar, pink Hummer that inspired our meeting. The sitting would change my stars from a provincial photographer to an international portraitist working in London & Los Angeles.

Portraiture, Featured Sitting, Northerners, Celebrity, Top Moment, Top Clients
Sir Ian McKellen Portrait Sitting
Featured Sitting, Portraiture, Actors Headshots, Northerners, Celebrity, Top Moment, Top Clients
Sir Ian McKellen Portrait Sitting
Featured Sitting, Portraiture, Actors Headshots, Northerners, Celebrity, Top Moment, Top Clients

I invited Sir Ian to sit for a portrait session while he and Sir Patrick Stewart were performing Waiting for Godot in the Cort Theatre in New York and was flabbergasted when he accepted.

Featured Sitting, Portraiture, Actors Headshots, Northerners, Celebrity, Top Moment, Top Clients
Pete Price Radio City Portraits (Bauer Media)
Advertising, Corporate Commission, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, Portraiture, Northerners, Top Moment, Top Clients
Pete Price Radio City Portraits (Bauer Media)
Advertising, Corporate Commission, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, Portraiture, Northerners, Top Moment, Top Clients

Pete popped into the Liverpool Studio for a Portrait Session. It was wonderful to meet Pete and work through several looks to create a wonderful collection of images; which reflect the fun and serious sides of Pete’s Personality.

Advertising, Corporate Commission, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, Portraiture, Northerners, Top Moment, Top Clients
Peter Sissons Portrait Sitting (The Express)
Charity, Corporate Commission, Featured Sitting, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, New York, Northerners, Portraiture, Rome, Advertising, Top Clients, Top Moment
Peter Sissons Portrait Sitting (The Express)
Charity, Corporate Commission, Featured Sitting, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, New York, Northerners, Portraiture, Rome, Advertising, Top Clients, Top Moment

Peter Sissons is a British Broadcast Journalist. He was the presenter of the BBC Nine O’Clock News and the BBC Ten O’Clock News between 1993 and 2003, and earlier a newscaster for ITN, providing bulletins on ITV and Channel 4.

Charity, Corporate Commission, Featured Sitting, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, New York, Northerners, Portraiture, Rome, Advertising, Top Clients, Top Moment
Mayor Joe Anderson Portrait Sitting
Political Portraits, Corporate Commission, Featured Sitting, Liverpool, Northerners, Portraiture, Top Clients, Top Moment
Mayor Joe Anderson Portrait Sitting
Political Portraits, Corporate Commission, Featured Sitting, Liverpool, Northerners, Portraiture, Top Clients, Top Moment

Mayor of Liverpool ‘Joe' Anderson OBE is a British Labour Party politician who is the first directly elected mayor of Liverpool, having been elected with 57% of the vote on 3 May 2012. He was previously leader of the Liverpool City Council from the 2010 Council election until the 2012 Mayoral election.

Political Portraits, Corporate Commission, Featured Sitting, Liverpool, Northerners, Portraiture, Top Clients, Top Moment
Royal Photographic Society Interview February 2014
Published, Portraiture, London, Northerners, Interview
Royal Photographic Society Interview February 2014
Published, Portraiture, London, Northerners, Interview

Thank you to to The Royal Photographic Society featuring my Northerners Photography Exhibition in February’s Society Journal. Full transcript below.

Published, Portraiture, London, Northerners, Interview
Ian McShane Portrait Sitting
Featured Sitting, London, Actors Headshots, Portraiture, Northerners, Los Angeles, Celebrity, Top Moment
Ian McShane Portrait Sitting
Featured Sitting, London, Actors Headshots, Portraiture, Northerners, Los Angeles, Celebrity, Top Moment

Ian McShane is an English Actor, Director, Producer and Voice Artist. From Lovejoy to Deadwood and Pirates of the Caribbean, McShane is a Screen legend. From a lawless saloon owner to the sexiest of beastly British mobsters, award-winning actor Ian McShane has, time and time again, captured the public’s attention by playing bad guys, scoundrels and thieves.

Featured Sitting, London, Actors Headshots, Portraiture, Northerners, Los Angeles, Celebrity, Top Moment
Paul Barber Portrait Photoshoot
Actors Headshots, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, Northerners, New York, Portraiture
Paul Barber Portrait Photoshoot
Actors Headshots, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, Northerners, New York, Portraiture

When researching names to invite to sit for my Northerners Portrait Exhibition, I decided to invite Paul Barber to take part as an iconic Northern Actor. I was delighted at his acceptance and the Photoshoot took place this week at the London Studio.

Actors Headshots, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, Northerners, New York, Portraiture
Lord Mayor of Liverpool Gary Millar
Corporate Commission, Corporate Headshots, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, New York, Northerners, Political Portraits, Portraiture, Works, Advertising
Lord Mayor of Liverpool Gary Millar
Corporate Commission, Corporate Headshots, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, New York, Northerners, Political Portraits, Portraiture, Works, Advertising

Delighted the new Lord Mayor Of Liverpool Gary Millar sat for a Portrait at the Liverpool Studio this week. I often find historical elements to Political Portraits, Photographing them in an almost Holbein Style.

Corporate Commission, Corporate Headshots, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, New York, Northerners, Political Portraits, Portraiture, Works, Advertising