He’s been called uncouth and irreverent but Tony Kelly’s glossy style of photography has won him fans the world over, and work with the likes of publishing giants Vanity Fair and Vogue. Whether it’s shooting celebrities (including a bruised and beaten Justin Bieber for Complex), models or cityscapes Kelly has a way of drawing in viewers to his hyperreal scenarios that is imitable.
This week a collection of some of his most envy-inspiring travel shots go on show at London’s Maddox Gallery. Wish you were here? You can say that again.
You’ve photographed some big names from Emily Ratajkowski to Justin Bieber. How do you approach these kind of shoots? Do you try to make a comment on celebrity culture?
I approach celebrity shoots as I would approach any shoot. For me the subject matter is irrelevant with regard to the process. The process is the same every single time. My first objective is to develop a very solid and interesting concept that has all my trademark ingredients present; colour, dynamism, humour and contrast. My images are similar to your favourite scenes from a movie, the high impact scenes. I conjure up these images in my head all day long.
In relation to celebrity culture, I more intend to make a comment on the individual rather than the culture. The culture comments on itself automatically and I’m more focused on the person. The first thought that goes through my head when I meet a celebrity is what they would be doing were they not famous. For example, would they be driving a taxi or a bus and I find that quite funny. The visual of somebody like Michael Douglas driving a bus is very appealing to me. I generally start there and build from that thought.
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