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.

 - 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  

 - Lennie James – Hollywood Authentic - Charlie Clift

Lennie James – Hollywood Authentic

A little nonsense with Lennie James. A top afternoon in my studio with the actor from The Walking Dead, Line of Duty, Snatch and many many more. See him star in Mr Loverman on the BBC now. Big thanks to Greg Williams and Jane Crowther for bringing me on board the Hollywood Authentic team. Check out Jane’s interview with Lennie here: LINK

Yulia Navalnaya - Die Zeit - Yulia Navalnaya – Die Zeit - Charlie Clift

Yulia Navalnaya – Die Zeit

  It was a privilege to photograph Yulia Navalnaya.A calm and powerful presence, determined, emotional, always open to laughter. I hope I’ve captured something true in my portraits of her. Massive thanks to Lara Huck, Alice Bota and Michael Thumann.  

 - Cartier Libre – Paris Fashion Week - Charlie Clift

Cartier Libre – Paris Fashion Week

A wonderful night in Le Bristol as part of Paris Fashion Week, launching the Cartier Libre Tuttitutti collection. Featuring friends of the maison Lou Doillon, Virginie Efira, Noémie Merlant and Raphaël Quenard. Massive thanks to Cartier, Victor & Simon and the whole team who worked so hard to make this happen.  

Katherine Parkinson - The Sunday Times Magazine - Katherine Parkinson – The Sunday Times Magazine - Charlie Clift

Katherine Parkinson – The Sunday Times Magazine

Awesome fun photographing Katherine Parkinson who stars in Disney Plus’s new series Rivals. Big thanks Russ O’Connell and Louise Fenerci for the top assignment. Styling by Zoë Kozlik Grooming by Emma Leon Read Dominic Maxwell’s interview with Katherine here: LINK

ARIA UK Shot for WIRED - ARIA – WIRED - Charlie Clift

ARIA – WIRED

“Eight Scientists, a Billion Dollars’ It was a privilege to share a room with so many visionaries.  Scientists at the cutting edge. Unphased, driven, and responsible for putting Britain back on the scientific map. I could have spent all day with each of them. Alas, I only had 10 minutes. From looking at unique approaches to AI, to helping us predict and prepare for extreme weather events, the challenges they are trying to overcome seem almost insurmountable. If they succeed, the world will be forever changed. Huge thank you to Catherine Gargan Hall at WIRED for the assignment. Read WIRED’s full article here: LINK

 - Venice Film Festival – Cartier - Charlie Clift

Venice Film Festival – Cartier

Friends of the maison photographed over sunset at the Venice Film Festival. Massive thanks to Cartier, Victor & Simon, Lane Associates, and the whole team who worked so hard to make this happen.