Sir Patrick Stewart: A Decade of Reflection

It’s hard to believe that it’s been ten years since my portrait sitting with Sir Patrick Stewart. Capturing his likeness was not just a career highlight but a transformative moment that propelled my work into the international spotlight. In celebration of this milestone, I want to revisit that memorable session and reflect on its impact.

Arranging a sitting with a screen icon like Sir Patrick Stewart was no small feat. It began with an unassuming letter to his acting agency in London, which was met with silence. However, persistence paid off when I discovered he was performing in "Waiting for Godot" at New York’s Cort Theatre on Broadway. Another letter was dispatched, and to my astonishment, a reply came through weeks later—albeit a polite decline.

Undeterred, I composed a compelling reply urging Sir Patrick to reconsider. Weeks later, an email from the man himself appeared in my inbox. Sir Patrick was accepting my offer, with one condition: the sitting would have to take place in New York.

Sir Patrick Stewart: A Decade of Reflection (Rory Lewis Photographer 2024)

I made the decision to travel to New York while shooting a wedding in Liverpool. Sitting in the hotel, I questioned if I was ready to leave my comfort zone. The arrival of a vulgar, pink Hummer for the bridal party solidified my resolve. I booked my plane ticket and embarked on what would become one of the most significant journeys of my career.

The session was scheduled for May 5th, 2014, at Neo Studios in Manhattan. Despite the jetlag, I was prepared, drawing inspiration from Hans Holbein the Younger’s 16th-century portrait of Sir Thomas More. Holbein’s use of a shallow backdrop and bold colors influenced my approach, though I opted for a stark black backdrop to amplify Sir Patrick’s intense gaze.

Preparation is crucial when photographing prominent subjects. I studied Sir Patrick’s previous portraits and watched his performances, including his iconic role as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in "Star Trek: The Next Generation." My goal was to capture Sir Patrick as himself—the thespian—without the embellishments of his famous roles.

The sitting was a seamless collaboration. Sir Patrick’s experience with taking direction made for an incredibly smooth session. His gaze, focused just across the lens, conveyed a series of provocatively poised expressions. Within minutes, I was already satisfied with the results.

The last few minutes of the session allowed for experimentation. I directed Sir Patrick to assume fierce, vengeful expressions, revealing a complex and vigorous character. This part of the session was particularly rewarding, showing a side of Sir Patrick that I thoroughly enjoyed capturing.

Though the session lasted just 20 minutes, it remains one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. It showcased my ability to influence other photographers with my style of portraiture and work with clients who inspire my work. Above all, it was an opportunity to photograph a true British icon.

As I continue my work, reflecting on this sitting reminds me of the transformative power of persistence, preparation, and passion in photography. Here’s to many more years of capturing compelling portraits.