Photographing Norman Waterhouse: From Plastic Surgeon to Thriller Author

A plastic surgeon writing a dark thriller makes for a rather interesting portrait brief.

When I was commissioned to photograph London plastic surgeon and author Norman Waterhouse, the images needed to introduce the person behind the book, as well as reflect his professional background.

The shoot took place at Devonshire Place in London, with a brief to create photographs for his book cover, author publicity, website and future press coverage.

Creating photographs with a purpose

One of the first things I consider before a portrait session is where the photographs will appear. An author portrait, a website image and a photograph accompanying a press feature each have a slightly different job to do.

For Norman’s session, the brief included close-up portraits, three-quarter compositions and full-length photographs, with outfit changes and different settings to give the final collection variety.

The priority was to create a particularly strong portrait and a standout full-length image, supported by a useful selection for the book’s promotion.

Bringing the person into the picture

Norman’s work as a surgeon was part of the story, but this commission also introduced him as a novelist. That gave the session an interesting creative direction: considering how to communicate his personality while creating imagery appropriate for the atmosphere of a dark thriller.

This is what I enjoy about portrait photography. The decisions about light, setting, expression and composition all begin with understanding what the photographs need to communicate.

Photography for your next chapter

Whether you’re launching a book, building your professional profile or introducing a new direction in your business, your photographs should help you tell that story.

If you need author portraits, publicity photographs or personal branding images in London, Kent or Sussex, get in touch. I’d love to hear what you’re working on.

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