Sir Ian McKellen Portrait Sitting Rory Lewis Photographer 2014
Few actors command the reverence, longevity, and cultural impact of Sir Ian McKellen. From his spellbinding portrayal of Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, to his formidable presence as Magneto in the X-Men series, and an unparalleled career across British theatre and cinema—marked by multiple Laurence Olivier Awards—he stands as one of the most accomplished theatrical figures of our time.
During a New York run of Waiting for Godot at the Cort Theatre alongside Sir Patrick Stewart, I extended an invitation for a portrait sitting—never quite expecting the answer I received. Sir Ian graciously accepted, and shortly thereafter I travelled to his London home to photograph him within his own surroundings. The experience was quietly surreal: Gandalf’s sword rested casually on a clothing rack, as though it were an everyday umbrella.
Sir Ian McKellen Portrait Sitting Rory Lewis Photographer 2014
Sir Ian McKellen Portrait Sitting Rory Lewis Photographer 2014
The challenge was not how to photograph Sir Ian McKellen, but how to distil a lifetime of artistry into a single frame. Drawing on his deep association with Shakespeare and classical performance, we chose an approach inspired by Hans Holbein—restrained, intimate, and rooted in Renaissance portraiture. The lighting was designed to honour texture, age, and wisdom, preserving the subtle intelligence carried in his expression.
In just thirty minutes, awe gave way to focus. Sir Ian’s presence was commanding yet generous—marked by warmth, wit, and an effortless command of the camera. It was, without question, one of the most humbling portrait sessions of my career.
“Thank you for the easiest photoshoot ever!”
— Sir Ian McKellen
Early in my career, like many photographers, I balanced a broad commercial workload — shooting everything from industrial products to aspiring actors — while yearning to focus on portraiture that was deeply human, expressive, and timeless. By my early thirties, I felt the urgency to define my artistic voice and create work that reflected who I truly was as a photographer. I knew that to attract the attention of editors, curators, and agents, I needed to produce a body of work entirely on my own terms — one that would both challenge and inspire.