Theatrical portraits

Sitting on an Underground train from Heathrow Airport to central London, I’m struck by an odd feeling – contentment. Granted, it’s not an emotion commonly associated with the Piccadilly Line but, looking around the bustling carriage, it’s impossible not to smile at the almost pre-pandemic scene, and the sense that things might just be returning to normality.

While a little overwhelming after 18 months of confinement, it’s good to see people busy again. What’s more, people seem happy to be busy. This is certainly the case for many creatives, not least photographers who have built a successful career out of working in close proximity to other humans. Undeniably, studio photographers were amongst the hardest hit by Covid restrictions.

Therefore, armed with a philosophy of cautious optimism, I find myself travelling to join internationally-renowned photographer Rory Lewis, on a portrait shoot he has arranged especially for Digital Photographer.

The Bleeding Heart Studio, where today’s session is due to take place, is a charming building set back