Rory Lewis Photographer
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 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.
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 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 MoreI 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.
Read MoreIn the fast-moving world of finance, trust, clarity, and confidence shape every decision. For DoubleLine — one of the most respected independent, employee-owned investment firms in the United States — presenting a strong, authentic visual identity is essential. When the company sought portraits that reflected its leadership's precision, professionalism, and credibility, they turned to portrait photographer Rory Lewis.
Read MoreFormer Mayor of Los Angeles and current U.S. Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, became my latest portrait subject during a recent session at my Los Angeles studio. As with all my political portraiture, the sitting was shaped not simply by technique, but by a deep well of artistic influence—most notably the indelible mark left on me by Hans Holbein the Younger. Holbein’s work has been woven into my visual consciousness since childhood.
Read MorePhotographing Prime Minister Theresa May stands as one of the most significant political sittings of my career. Lady May is the fourth British Prime Minister I have had the honour to photograph—an opportunity that places this session within a long-standing tradition of documenting national leadership for posterity.
Read MoreUgbana Oyet serves as the Serjeant at Arms of the House of Commons, a role steeped in centuries of parliamentary history. The office dates back to 1415, when the Serjeant was responsible for enforcing the orders of the House—including making arrests. Today, the role is defined by both authority and tradition, with ceremonial duties such as carrying the mace in the Speaker’s Procession and during the State Opening of Parliament.
Read MoreSarah Clarke OBE made history in November 2017 when she was appointed Black Rod—the first woman to hold the position in its more than 650-year history. She formally assumed her duties as Lady Usher of the Black Rod in February 2018, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of one of Parliament’s oldest offices.
Read MoreThroughout my career, I have been commissioned to photograph a wide range of political figures — from local councillors and Members of Parliament to peers of the House of Lords and former Prime Ministers. Yet this sitting was particularly meaningful, offering a chance to create work within one of the most iconic settings in British public life.
Read MoreLloyds Banking Group commissioned a series of corporate portraits for display at their Gresham Street headquarters in London. Captured over a two-week period, the project took Rory Lewis and his assistant across England and Scotland, creating fourteen portraits that celebrate the bank’s most distinguished colleagues.
Read MoreSimon Hart MP is a British politician who has served as Secretary of State for Wales since 2019. A member of the Conservative Party, he was first elected to Parliament in the 2010 general election.
Read MoreIn April 2020, I had the pleasure of photographing acclaimed American actor Bob Gunton at my Los Angeles studio. Known for his commanding presence on both stage and screen, Bob is celebrated for portraying formidable, authoritative characters—most memorably Warden Samuel Norton in The Shawshank Redemption. His screen credits also include Demolition Man, Patch Adams, Argo, Daredevil, 24, and Desperate Housewives.
Read MoreGavin Williamson CBE MP is a prominent British Conservative politician, first elected as the Member of Parliament for South Staffordshire in 2010. At the time of this sitting, he was serving as Secretary of State for Education and required a contemporary set of portraits that reflected an approachable, professional, and forward-looking image ahead of the General Election.
Read MoreActor James Purefoy is a magnetic presence on both stage and screen. From crossing swords with Heath Ledger in A Knight’s Tale to leading the dark, psychological tension of Fox’s The Following, Purefoy’s career spans an extraordinary range of film, television, and theatre—placing him firmly among the most versatile British actors of his generation.
Read MoreInviting former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair to sit for a portrait in London was a remarkable opportunity. Serving as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2007, he was the third former leader I have photographed—an exciting and significant moment in my ongoing work documenting contemporary political history.
Read MoreBetween 2014 and 2020, I had the privilege of photographing some of the most gifted actors in Los Angeles—artists whose performances shaped my imagination growing up in the 1980s and 90s. Among them was the remarkable Gregory Itzin (1948–2022), an actor of immense range, discipline, and emotional precision. Best known to millions as the calculating President Charles Logan in 24, Itzin was far more than a single role—he was one of the great American character actors of his generation.
Read MoreFew performers carry the depth, authenticity, and emotional intelligence of Saul Rubinek. Born in Germany and raised in Canada, Rubinek has built an extraordinary career as an actor, director, producer, and playwright—bringing unforgettable characters to life across film, television, and stage. From the lovable Donny Douglas on Frasier to the enigmatic Artie Nielsen on Warehouse 13, his performances consistently reveal the complexities of the human experience.
Read MoreIn 2016, I had the privilege of photographing the incomparable Richard Herd, an actor whose presence left an unmistakable mark on film, television, and the generations of audiences who admired him. Best known for roles in T.J. Hooker, V, Seinfeld, Star Trek, and F.I.S.T., Richard was one of Hollywood’s most recognisable and accomplished character actors—an artist with a face carved by experience, wisdom, and unfiltered humanity.
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