Actor Portraits
There is a quiet intensity to Cassian Bilton that reveals itself not through overt performance, but through stillness. When we met at my London studio, the aim was not to create a character, but to allow something truer to surface—an unguarded moment where thought, restraint, and presence coexist.
Read MoreIt 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.
Read MoreFor 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.
Read MoreWhat 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.
Read MoreIt 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.
Read MoreWilliam 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.
Read MoreCapturing 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.
Read MoreOne 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.
Read MoreAs 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.
Read MoreIn leadership roles—particularly within the creative industries—a portrait must do more than present polish. It must communicate authority, clarity of vision, and the confidence to lead. This was the guiding principle behind my recent portrait session with Italian director Georgia Tribuiani, whose work across Los Angeles, Paris, and Milan spans advertising, fashion, and visual storytelling at the highest level.
Read MoreThis 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.
Read MoreIt’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.
Read MoreLast 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.
Read MoreArtists 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.
Read MoreMy 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.
Read MoreIn 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.
Read MoreAs 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.
Read MoreInfluenced 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.
Read MoreIn 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.
Read MoreCelebrated actor, model, and voice artist VJ Kesh recently posed for a series of striking portraits at Rory Lewis’s Los Angeles studio. Known for his roles in Wilfred (2007), Blue Heelers (1994), and Narcosys (2000), VJ Kesh brings over 35 years of experience in film, television, and theater. Born in Malaysia and of Indian ancestry, Kesh has spent decades honing his craft across Australia, India, Europe, the U.S., and Mexico. This rich tapestry of life experiences makes him a sought-after talent for character-driven roles and voice narration.
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