Wreathed in Smiles: shooting Frank Skinner for the Observer

My first commission for the Observer and it is a cover story; shooting comedian Frank Skinner in full festive mode for the Xmas Eve Magazine.

In early December 2023, I received a fab early Xmas present in the form of a @guardiandesign commission to shoot legendary commedian Frank Skinner for the Xmas Eve edition of the Observer magazine.

Cool Yule

The picture team had a vision of Frank peering through a festive wreathe in nattily festive duds, so after a quick visit to various local wreathe suppliers (right time of year for it!) I was armed with several options, & also came up with a few festive ideas of my own.

Come the day of the shoot, we set up at Big Sky Studios while @richpelley conducted a fascinating interview and then, with some brilliant styling options from Vivian Nwonka, set to.

We listened to the Lovely Eggs and chatted about a range of subjects including Geoffrey Hill’s Mercian Hymns, and Frank was totally game: dancing like his idol Elvis, sticking his head through wreathes, getting wrapped in tinsel and wearing an array of fancy outfits including this shiny red Alexander McQueen suit.

We got the cover shot the team wanted & I was pleased that my in-action tinsel idea made a lovely two page spread inside.

What a festive treat!

BTS & Print Edition

Shoot Team

Styling: @vivian_nwonka
Assistant: @emmapottinger
Mu/hair: @krystlemakeup
Picture Ed: Kit Burnet.
Shot at @bigskystudios
Stunning ombre Backdrop by @hapacastudio