Angela Rayner
The Sunday Times Magazine

I recently photographed Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Angela Rayner, for The Sunday Times Magazine. I’ve photographed several politicians and find most of them to have something in common – they are trying to hide things from you. Angela was the anomaly here, she felt totally open and brutally honest in front of my lens. It was a truly refreshing experience.

As brilliant as Angela was to photograph, this was one of those shoots where nothing seemed to go my way to start with: whilst we were setting up my camera packed in, cue a quick change to my spare body, then as time was ticking away I just couldn’t quite recreate the lighting set up I’d tested. But thankfully I had a fab team around me, so thinking on our feet we adapted to the space we had – and in the end I feel came out with something better… strange how that’s sometimes the case.

Many thanks to Russ for the commission, to Dan for the top cover design, and to my assistants Phil and Adam. Thanks also to Phil for capturing the BTS of the calm before the storm.

 - Mishal Husain – Observer Magazine - Charlie Clift

Mishal Husain – Observer Magazine

Mishal Husain and her mother Shama for the cover of The all-new Observer Magazine. Exciting to be part of the new-era the world’s oldest Sunday newspaper. “Is there a term in any language, I wondered, for a place that was nearly your hometown, or could have been, had history not intervened?” Mishal Husain as written for the magazine about her trip to the city of her grandfather’s childhood, Lucknow, a place that he couldn’t visit himself once Pakistan and India were partitioned. I had the absolute pleasure to spend an afternoon with Mishal and her mother to create portraits to go with the article. It is a story hard to tell in a photograph, but I am especially proud of the image on the cover where Mishal and Shama sit with a portrait of her grandfather Shahid. Huge thanks to the amazing team behind the shoot: Alex Ortiz – Photo...

Brian Cox - TK Maxx & Red Nose Day - Red Nose Day – TK Maxx & Comic Relief - Charlie Clift

Red Nose Day – TK Maxx & Comic Relief

  My studio was filled with a whirlwind of laughs and good vibes as an array of household names visited. We were all there to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Red Nose Day and TK Maxx making their fun raising chari-tees. I grew up watching Red Nose Day every year on the TV, it was an unmissable event for me. So it is wonderful to be part of it this year, and to do my bit to help raise funds for the ace causes it’s supports. Go grab your chari-tee now! A huge thank you to the epic team at TK Maxx and Dundas PR, and everyone else who threw their energy and enthusiasm into making this happen. First assistant: George Hall Lighting: Phil Hardman, Rosie Wilson and Isaak Hest. Makeup and hair: Neil Young, Caroline Barnes, Chris Okonta, Fiona Eustace, and Francesca Daniella Stylist: Rachel Davis

Zoë Saldaña - BAFTA - BAFTA Film Awards 2025 - Charlie Clift

BAFTA Film Awards 2025

  Stepping back into the Royal Festival Hall to create portraits at the BAFTA Film Awards was an absolute joy. There’s nothing quite like Britain’s biggest night in cinema. These are not photos that I could ever make alone – the BAFTA photography team are the very best partners. It’s been a true honour to work with such amazing people again to capture the smallest slither of the magic of cinema. Hope you enjoy scrolling through the pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them BAFTA Photo Team: Claire Rees, Ellie Elliot, Rebecca Grey Set Builder: Simon Godfrey Lighting Supplier: Direct Digital Assistants: George Hall, Philip Hardman Retoucher: Melissa Morgan  

 - Malachi Kirby – Hollywood Authentic - Charlie Clift

Malachi Kirby – Hollywood Authentic

  There was such an amazing energy in my studio for this shoot with Malachi. Jazz blasting loudly, Malachi and I danced about, one moment calm and peaceful, the next bursting with excitement. I collapsed at the end, warn out and happy. What a joy to reconnect with this beautiful human. Read Jane Crowther’s interview on Hollywood Authentic here. Watch Malachi in ‘A Thousand Blows’ on Disney+ A big thank you to Jane Crowther and Greg Williams for bringing me on board. Grooming – Nadia Altinbas. Assistants – George Hall and  Rosie Alice Wilson Publicists – R&CPMK Styling – Malachi Kirby    

 - Patience – Channel 4 - Charlie Clift

Patience – Channel 4

  It was great fun to create the posters for Patience, Channel 4’s new crime drama. Fascinating to shoot on location in a real life archive in Belgium. Check out the new series starring Ella Maisy Purvis and Laura Fraser here. A huge thanks to Eagle Eye Drama and Happy Duck Films.  

Anna Sawai - Cartier - Golden Globes – Cartier - Charlie Clift

Golden Globes – Cartier

Friends of the Maison photographed for the 82nd Golden Globes. Massive thanks to Cartier, Victor & Simon, and the whole team who worked so hard to make this happen.

 - Day of the Jackal – Sky TV - Charlie Clift

Day of the Jackal – Sky TV

  It was a joy to create publicity portraits with Eddie Redmayne, Lashana Lynch and Úrsula Corberó to promote the release of Day of the Jackal – out now on Sky Atlantic and Peacock. It’s been really cool to see my portraits appearing in The Telegraph Magazine, Sunday Times Culture, Square Mile, The LA Times, Vanity Fair Italia and The Washington Post. Huge thanks to all the teams at Sky TV and LxL Creative for their support in making this. It’s always a pleasure working with such great people.      

 - Olivia Williams – Hollywood Authentic - Charlie Clift

Olivia Williams – Hollywood Authentic

Olivia Williams is a wonder in front of your lens. One moment she is doing the splits and making you laugh with joy, and the next you’re almost in tears watching her incredible display of emotions. It was a total pleasure photographing her for Hollywood Authentic’s column ‘A Little Nonsense’. See Olivia in Dune: Prophecy on HBO now. Big thanks to Jane Crowther and Greg Williams from Hollywood Authentic and Olivia Garnham from Premier comms for making the shoot happen. Check out Jane’s interview with Olivia here: LINK Lovely to work with this top bunch: Ciona Johnson King – Make Up George Hall – First Assistant Rosie Wilson – Digi Tech  

 - Malcolm and John David Washington – Hollywood Authentic - Charlie Clift

Malcolm and John David Washington – Hollywood Authentic

I shared a delightful half hour with brotherly director – actor duo Malcolm and John David Washington in the lead-up to their new film ‘The Piano Lesson”. We discussed everything from childhood talent shows to the joys of working with your family. Big thanks to the Netflix Publicity team and 2PM Sharp, and to Greg Williams and Jane Crowther for having me back on the Hollywood Authentic team. Check out Jane’s interview with Malcolm and John David here: LINK

James Norton - The Sunday Times Culture - James Norton – The Sunday Times Culture - Charlie Clift

James Norton – The Sunday Times Culture

Such fun working with James Norton again, not only a total gent, but also so open to experimenting and creating together. Catch him in Netflix’s new show ‘Joy’ on the 22nd of November. Big thanks to Adam Hearn from The Sunday Times Culture for the ace commission. Styling: Rose Ford Grooming: Petra Sellge Publicists: Jessica Williams & Sarah Prendergast from Tapestry Photo team: George Hall and Michael Farra