THE MUG MAKES IT

Westminster is strange place where in the corridors of power meet policy makers, journalists, charities, committees and tourists. You would think it a press photographers dream, the most powerful people in the country, scandals and triumphs etched on their faces, stride through iconic architecture with interesting backdrops round every corner.

You would be wrong! Past the murals, the statues, the pomp where we are not allowed to photograph for security reasons you are lead into the real corridors of power. Dungeon dark, ever winding, lined with books (make your own allegories), where we are not allowed to photograph for security reasons. Finally you will invariably find yourself in an office, oak paneled black holes sucking light from netted windows barely illuminating their owners in this particular case William Hague. It is not that these places are without personality Mr Hague has large collections of books on the wall (he writes on the history of politics) he has a sword on his desk from his time as foreign secretary and a Rhino statue signifying his work on animal welfare. These however generally have the same effect as the light, they are absorbed, assimilated and room retains its overall character.

By contrast to the room the ex Conservative leader, ex Foreign secretary, leader of the commons and "Thatcher's Boy" who is leaving politics this May turned out to be a personable and even funny subject. Shooting for the FT you first photograph almost an hour of interview, getting to know your subject looking for opportunities, there was only one but I knew I had to play it carefully. An hour of interview generally leaves you with about 5 minutes to get a portrait. When the interview finished, as I always do I first went for the safe option, you have to get a shot in the bag because if you mess it up the likelihood is you wont get another chance. I sat him at his desk, books in the background, it is ok but looks a little like an official portrait when an MP takes office, I asked him if he minded having the mug I spotted earlier on the desk, I fully expected him to say no, but he seemed delighted and I got my shot. I then begged and pleaded for another picture elsewhere, out in the light but time was up.

You very rarely get feedback as a freelance unless you really mess something up but my Picture Editor for that piece Annabel Cook said "the mug makes it". Just shows you have to keep your eyes open for the small things.

Full FT article: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/00c13ae0-bccb-11e4-a917-00144feab7de.html#axzz3TAyRoK8m

--