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portraiture & celebrity photography

Mar 2020

Michael Wharley

London

Michael shoots advertising, portrait and editorial work for entertainment industry clients, and beyond. His bold, atmospheric pictures sell the stories of film, TV, theatre productions and brands for nationwide advertising campaigns, while his portraits of actors, musicians and celebrities mix drama and personality with a nuanced eye for lighting and colour. 

Recent highlights include: shooting the ad campaign for Lionsgate's new feature film Summerland, starring Gemma Arterton and Penelope Wilton; work on the Jude Law-starring HBO series 'The Third Day'; album cover imagery for Decca Records' 'Mindful Mum'; portraits for Hollywood star Gugu Mbatha-Raw and hot young author Cash Carraway; and a number of high profile theatre campaigns that have been plastered across the London Underground, including Jane Austen adaptation 'The Watsons' and the nine-times Olivier-nominated Max Martin musical '& Juliet.'

Possessing a particular flair for lighting, Michael's personal work on ongoing projects like 'The Midnight Hour' and 'Car Stories', allows him to push his studio-based and location-lighting skills to the limit. His natural hair portrait 'Free Flow 'Fro', showcased the diverse hair and skin tones of nearly 50 non-professional sitters, with lighting states designed for darker skin tones, all taken in half a day!

Michael brings creativity and an easygoing manner to all his work, underpinned by detail, precision and flair.

He is an AOP member and Fellow of the BIPP.