Back story

In the crazy whirlwind that is Dubai, my life was a full of commercial shoots, events, and bustling corporate energy. Surrounded by a team that was as diverse as it was talented, we formed a microcosm of creativity and drive, thriving in the desert metropolis that felt like a cross between a futuristic city and a Star Wars desert planet.

My team was a band of visual maestros: Ali, our charismatic local event and fashion photographer; Arjay, a maestro of interior and product imagery; Reinhard, the ‘drummer’ of our group with his steady, reliable video editing; and Emiliano, our ‘lead singer’ and a visionary filmmaker, now gracing the pages of Vogue and other elite publications.

One afternoon, post-shoot at a luxurious apartment in Downtown Dubai for a magazine, I encountered a meeting that would later echo in my thoughts. The founder of Fitness First, Mike Balfour and Luxury Marketing Expert, Jemma Lester sought me out to discuss a business venture over coffee at the Address Hotel. Amid the opulence, he shared his strategy for success: build it faster, cheaper, better. Yet, as he outlined his vision, my artist’s soul was unsettled; his ethos clashed with my belief in craftsmanship, bespoke creations, and a life rich in experiences, not just efficiencies.

The discussion veered into a concept he called “Bucket List Films,” aimed at creating legacy videos for affluent individuals and families. These were to be personal documentaries, designed to pass down cherished memories and wisdom through generations. At the time, immersed in the glamour of high-profile shoots and events, I dismissed the idea as quaint, perhaps even trivial.

Years later, back in the UK, the perspective shift from commercial photography to personal stories of everyday people has been profound. My current project, “Generations,” integrates this very idea I once overlooked. It combines portraiture with unedited, candid video interviews, capturing the essence of individuals and their families in a format designed to endure through generations.

This narrative of legacy has taken on a new, personal meaning. It’s about creating something timeless, not just capturing moments but weaving a tapestry of memories that will provide comfort, joy, and understanding to future generations. These legacy portraits are more than just images or videos; they are a conduit for stories, lessons, and love to be passed down, allowing individuals to leave a mark on the world that persists long after they are gone.

Looking back, that meeting in Dubai was more than just a business pitch; it was a seed planted, unnoticed until the soil of my professional journey was ready to nurture it. Now, as I craft these visual legacies, I see the true value in that long-ago idea. In the rush of life, where moments flee as quickly as they arrive, these portraits stand as a testament to a life well-lived, to stories well-told, and to the indelible impression one leaves on this earth.

Legacy portraits are not just a service; they are a responsibility and a privilege, capturing the essence of being that outlasts even time itself.