Looking at Samir Hussein on my screen as we speak via Zoom, I’m struck by how relaxed he looks. He’s casually dressed in a plain T-shirt and leaning back in his chair as we talk about summer (it’s raining outside) and forthcoming holidays.
It’s such a contrast to his profile photo on his website, which shows the royal photographer in black tie and designer sunglasses on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet, looking just like one of the A-listers he normally photographs for a living.
When I look back at the man on the screen, I am reminded that this is what Samir looks like on those rare occasions when he can get some downtime from photographing the great and the good. The day before, Samir was at Sandringham photographing the King. I bet he wasn’t dressed then like he is now!
As a royal and entertainment photographer, do you ever get a chance to switch off?
It’s difficult to switch off because I’m so passionate about photography. I’m always thinking about the next picture, the next job. Thankfully, there are periods during the year when it does get a bit quiet. August is one of them, when the royals go away and there’s not many jobs, so I tend to take August off; and the same for the second half of December and January. Outside of those periods, it’s full-on, with events and shoots throughout the year. I am quite fortunate I’m freelance, and I can still choose when I work and spend time with the family.
How do you pick engagements? Are official duties with the royal family always scheduled a long
