'A Kind Of Spark' for the BBC and BYUtv
'The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry' for eOne
Advertising Photography Winner - Michael Wharley
Classical Beats on Brixton Streets: Documentary Gold Winner at the AOP Photography Awards 2022
Doctor Who: Time Fracture
Well Behaved Women Concert
Paul Hollywood photographed for his UK tour
Gugu Mbatha Raw shot at Soho Farmhouse
Sheila's island
Monopoly Lifesized - Hasbro
& Juliet
Being Mr Wickham
Barnes' People
Dr. Who Time Fracture
Advertising Photography Category Winner - Michael Wharley
Motorhome Marilyn
Toby Olie Puppet Maker
Olivia Lee's Mindful Mum, for Decca Records
Actor Sam Swaisbury in The Midight Hour Personal Project
Gemma Arterton in feature film Summerland from Lionsgate
Mushy Lyrically Speaking advertising video; shot to complement stills poster campaign
Amelie The Musical
Spring Awakening
The Weir for Joe Public & ETT
Victim for Kaleidoscope Film
Gemma Arterton
Alice Lowe in Prevenge
Spotlight awards
60 judges who could be your clients
60 ad expert judges
Over $40,000 worth of incredible prizes
$40,000 in prize value
Michael Wharley » magazines
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spotlight magazine Jul 2023 portraiture & celebrity photography
London: Michael Wharley
As a former actor, Michael has a keen eye for narrative and a flair for the dramatic. His poppy, energetic portraits combine stunning lighting with wit and story. Plus he possesses an uncanny ability to put even the most famous star at their ease, whether shooting editorial portraits or marketing campaigns.
Recent work has seen Michael shoot Jim Broadbent for 'The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry' (eOne), key art for neurodivergent drama 'A Kind of Spark' (BBC/BYU TV), Charlie Brooker for Netflix on the release of Black Mirror Season 6, Charity Wakefield (The Great) at dawn for Broadleaf Magazine, Rufus Hound and Will Young for new projects, as well as Charlton Athletic footballer Sean Clare.
His project 'Classic Beats on Brixton Streets' won GOLD at The AOP Awards, and he has recently signed to be represented by Daniela and the team at Park Village.
He has a stunning new portfolio from Delta Design, which he would love to meet and show you in person.
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showcase magazine Nov 2022 united kingdom issue 903
Michael Wharley celebrity & entertainment photographers
Originally from an acting background, Michael has keen eye for story and a flair for the dramatic. His poppy, energetic portraits combine stunning lighting with narrative and humour - and he's adept at directing, be it a Hollywood star for key art or a more normal person for an editorial shoot.
Recent work has taken Michael out on the moors with Emma Mackey in 'Emily' (Warner Brothers), to Arendelle for 'Frozen' (Disney) and to a very much more blushingly-real place with the ladies of BBC Sounds podcast 'Brown Girls Do it Too'.
His project 'Classic Beats on Brixton Streets' won GOLD at The AOP Awards 2022, and his campaign for Unfortunate won the Spotlight Awards Advertising Category.
He also has a stunning new portfolio from Delta Design. He'd love to meet and show you the book in person.
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spotlight magazine Sep 2022 awards 2022
London: Michael Wharley
Title: Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch
"I shot this joyful campaign for We Are Fat Rascal's Edinburgh Festival production of hit parody musical 'Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch', in my London studio. Taking designer Rebecca Pitt’s concept and creating a lush gold-purple lighting state, I then worked with lead actress Elliotte Williams N’Dure to capture energy and abandon. Credit to Elliotte for remaining convincingly joyous for two hours! Then it was over to Rebecca to composite in the tentacles, and complete the illusion of this under-the-sea villainess made gleefully real. The image appeared across the London Underground for the show's run in the capital, and apparently dominated the displays in Edinburgh, where standing out from hundreds of competing posters takes some doing."
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spotlight magazine Jul 2022 portraiture & celebrity photography
London: Michael Wharley
Originally from an acting background, Michael has keen eye for story and a flair for the dramatic. Clients trust him to breathe life into their campaigns with portraits that engage the viewer and illuminate the subject, whether for a Hollywood film, a commercial brief or an editorial commission.
Recent work includes: shooting David & Jessica Oyelowo for Amazon UK's 'Call My Agent' adaptation 'Ten Per Cent', Charlie Brooker for Netflix and Ralph Fiennes for 'Straight Line Crazy'. Portraits of Grace Mouat in the major revival of Rodgers & Hammerstein's 'Cinderella', and the campaign for the diverse, Gen-Z reboot of hit musical 'Legally Blonde'.
Plus publicity commissions for artists, singers, actors and authors, including Gugu Mbatha Raw and Alice Krige.
His project 'Classic Beats on Brixton Streets' won GOLD at AOP Awards 2022.
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spotlight magazine Mar 2022 portraiture & celebrity photography
London: Michael Wharley
Hailing from an acting background, Michael has keen eye for story and a flair for the dramatic in the way he shoots people and their lives.
Whether it's a entertainment project for Warner Brothers, a commercial brief for brands like Audemars Piguet or an editorial commission, clients trust him to tell the stories of their campaigns with portraits that engage the viewer and illuminate the subject.
Recent work includes: shooting Charlie Brooker for Netflix and Ralph Fiennes for David Hare's new piece 'Straight Line Crazy'. Portraits of author and singer Carrie Hope Fletcher and Bake Off celebrity Paul Hollywood for their respective UK tours, for client Live Nation.
The campaign for 'Doctor Who: Time Fracture', currently all over the London tube, and a raft of publicity commissions for artists, singers, actors and authors, including Gugu Mbatha Raw at Soho Farmhouse, with a featured online cover in Grazia Magazine.
His project 'Classic Beats on Brixton Streets' is a finalist in the AOP Awards 2022.
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spotlight magazine Nov 2021 portraiture & celebrity photography
London: Michael Wharley
Michael shoots people and their stories, creating portraits that engage a viewer and illuminate the subject.
He's just as adept at turning those portrait skills to atmospheric, cinematic portraiture that creates compelling advertising for both brands and stage & screen productions.
Recent work includes: shooting both Bake Off celebrity Paul Hollywood and singer Joe McElderry for their UK tours, portraits for Marvel star Gugu Mbatha-Raw at Soho Farmhouse, and shots of drug-dealer-turned-vicar Claude Jackson, as well as images of Will Young and Michael Balogun.
In the entertainment sphere, he captured Clare Perkins as the lead in Zadie Smith's The Wife of Willesden, John Dagliesh (Lark Rise) in Cratchit, Ruthie Henshall in Sondheim's Passion and Rufus Hound in the the revival of The Good Life.
His project 'Classic Beats on Brixton Streets' shot with The Brixton Chamber Orchestra was also released.
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showcase magazine Sep 2021 united kingdom issue 855
Michael Wharley advertising photographers
Michael shoots people and their stories. Atmospheric, cinematic images that advertise stage and screen productions as boldly as they tell the stories of brands. Portraits that engage and illuminate a subject.
Whatever narrative you need to share, Michael's images will engage the viewer in your story.
New work: campaigns for feature film 'Emily' starring Emma Mackey for Warner Brothers and with Hasbro on the Monopoly; lifesized launch. Portraits for Hollywood star Gugu Mbatha-Raw at Soho Farmhouse, and of a string of musicians and artists, including Brixton Chamber Orchestra.
He continues to shoot for his green portrait project 'In a Green Shade: The English & Nature.'
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spotlight magazine May 2021 global advertising photography & motion
London: Michael Wharley
"It’s all about people and stories.
I create atmospheric, narrative, cinematic images that advertise stage and screen productions as boldly as they tell the stories of brands.
Whatever the story you need to tell, I'll create photos that will engage the viewer in your campaign and its message. All my work is punchy, precise and beautifully lit, filled with detail, drama and feeling.
Recent news:
- Advertising winner in the Spotlight Awards 2020 for the ‘Our Lady of Kibeho' campaign.
- New work: commission from Warner Brothers to shoot the campaign for feature film 'Emily', campaigns for 'Doctor Who: Time Fracture', streaming hit 'Apollo 13: Dark Side of the Moon' and '& Juliet'.
- Spring-time portrait work with Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Soho Farmhouse, and a string of musicians and artists. I continue to shoot for my green portrait project 'In a Green Shade: The English & Nature'."
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showcase magazine Feb 2021 united kingdom issue 833
Michael Wharley advertising photographers
"It’s all about people and stories. An adventurer ankle-deep in mud. An artist at work. A Hollywood star in the studio.
I shoot distinctive, beautifully-lit portraits that capture a person’s life and spirit. I create atmospheric, narrative, cinematic images that advertise stage and screen productions as boldly as they tell the stories of brands.
All my work is punchy, precise and beautifully lit, filled with detail, drama and feeling.
Recent news:
- Advertising winner in the Spotlight Awards 2020 for the ‘Our Lady of Kibeho campaign.’
- Portrait of Britain 2020 winner for the portrait of Alice Krige.
New work includes: a major campaign for Lionsgate for the release of Summerland, starring Gemma Arterton, campaigns for 'Doctor Who: Time Fracture', streaming hit 'Apollo 13: Dark Side of the Moon' and the newly-released 'Barnes’ People'. Meanwhile, I continue to shoot for my green portrait project In a Green Shade: The English & Nature.
My central-London studio is open for Covid-secure shots and I am available on location around the UK."
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spotlight magazine Nov 2020 awards 2020
London: Michael Wharley
Title: Our Lady of Kibeho
"This image was shot for Theatre Royal Stratford East’s Olivier Award-nominated production of Katori Hall’s play Our Lady of Kibeho.
The shoot was one of my favourite of 2019, but was a tough ask, with the play’s subject being a foreshadowing of the Rwandan genocide: “In 1981 at Kibeho College in Rwanda, a young girl claimed to have seen a vision of the Virgin Mary who warned her of the unimaginable: Rwanda becoming hell on Earth. She was ignored by her friends and scolded by her school but then another student saw the vision, and another, and the impossible appeared to be true.”
Our challenge was to create an appealing, ticket-selling image capturing the elements of hope, faith and community that define the play, while also nodding to its eerie themes of possession and religious fundamentalism. I also wanted to create a lighting state that made darker skin tones look fantastic. The play was awards-nominated, and the campaign got a lot of great feedback, so I think designer Rebecca Pitt and I succeeded."
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showcase magazine May 2020 united kingdom issue 797
Michael Wharley portrait photographers
Michael shoots characterful pictures of people. Be it a Hollywood star in the studio, or a small business owner sharing their working life, he finds personality and emotion in portraits that get under the skin and connect.
He creates atmospheric, cinematic images that advertise, stage and screen productions as boldly as they tell the stories of brands.
All his work is punchy, precise and beautifully lit, filled with detail, drama and real feeling.
New work includes: a major campaign for Lionsgate for the July release of Summerland, starring Gemma Arterton, portraits for star Gugu Mbatha-Raw and dramatic narrative images for Motorhome Marilyn and The Heart of a Tiger. His personal Natural Hair Portrait Project (see video) on afro-textured hair remains deeply relevant.
His studio at Waterloo in London is open for socially-distanced shoots with remote access for clients.
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spotlight magazine Mar 2020 portraiture & celebrity photography
London: Michael Wharley
Michael shoots advertising, portrait and editorial work for entertainment industry clients, and beyond. His bold, atmospheric pictures sell the stories of film, TV, theatre productions and brands for nationwide advertising campaigns, while his portraits of actors, musicians and celebrities mix drama and personality with a nuanced eye for lighting and colour.
Recent highlights include: shooting the ad campaign for Lionsgate's new feature film Summerland, starring Gemma Arterton and Penelope Wilton; work on the Jude Law-starring HBO series 'The Third Day'; album cover imagery for Decca Records' 'Mindful Mum'; portraits for Hollywood star Gugu Mbatha-Raw and hot young author Cash Carraway; and a number of high profile theatre campaigns that have been plastered across the London Underground, including Jane Austen adaptation 'The Watsons' and the nine-times Olivier-nominated Max Martin musical '& Juliet.'
Possessing a particular flair for lighting, Michael's personal work on ongoing projects like 'The Midnight Hour' and 'Car Stories', allows him to push his studio-based and location-lighting skills to the limit. His natural hair portrait 'Free Flow 'Fro', showcased the diverse hair and skin tones of nearly 50 non-professional sitters, with lighting states designed for darker skin tones, all taken in half a day!
Michael brings creativity and an easygoing manner to all his work, underpinned by detail, precision and flair.
He is an AOP member and Fellow of the BIPP.
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spotlight magazine Jul 2019 portraiture & celebrity photography
London: Michael Wharley
Michael shoots advertising, portrait and editorial work for a broad span of entertainment industry clients, and beyond. His bold, impactful, atmospheric pictures effortlessly capture the stories of film, TV and theatre productions for nationwide advertising campaigns, while his portraits of actors, musicians and celebrities mix drama and personality with a nuanced eye for lighting and colour.
Recent highlights include journeying inside the tortured mind of Sergei Rachmaninoff for Tony Award-winning musical Preludes; capturing all the advertising and poster imagery for Lionsgate's new feature film Summerland, starring Gemma Arterton, Gugu Mbatha Raw and Penelope Wilton; going full hip hop for Mushy: Lyrically Speaking, a new stage version of the Educating Yorkshire star's story, and painting comedian Andrew Maxwell gold for Call, Me Julius (Caesar).
Enjoying a particular flair for lighting, Michael's personal work on ongoing projects like The Midnight Hour and Car Stories, allows him to push his studio-based and location-lighting skills to the limit, combining ambient, continuous and strobe to dramatic effect.
He brings creativity and an easygoing manner to all his work, underpinned by detail, precision and a team that will get the shot, no matter the shoot.
He is an AOP member and Fellow of the BIPP.
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showcase magazine May 2019 london issue 753
Michael Wharley portrait photographers
Michael Wharley specialises in advertising and portrait work for the entertainment industry, and beyond. Whether it is for a film, a show or a brand, he loves to tell stories in his shots; using all his expert lighting and creative skills to make bold, atmospheric pictures that balance narrative with visual impact.
Recent highlights include photographing Gemma Arterton, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Penelope Wilton and Tom Courtenay for new feature film 'Summerland', and all the ad imagery for a major new adaptation of the hit movie 'Amelie'.
Based out of a busy studio in Central London, Michael works with clients including Lionsgate, Embankment, Shoebox Films, Organic PR, Kaleidoscope Film Distribution, English Touring Theatre, Original Theatre, The Globe, Access All Areas, Selladoor and more.
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showcase magazine Sep 2018 london issue 711
Michael Wharley portrait photographers
Michael Wharley is the 2018 BIPP Photographer of the Year and shoots advertising, portrait and editorial work for a broad span of entertainment industry clients, and beyond.
Based in Waterloo, Central London, he takes bold, atmospheric pictures that balance narrative with visual impact to make splash advertising films, TV, theatre or commercial campaigns, while his portraits effortlessly mix drama with a nuanced eye for lighting and colour.
Recent highlights include a campaign for Brontes rock musical 'Wasted', alongside a Game-of-Thrones-esque set for 'Knights of the Rose', and an 80s-themed shoot for 'Fame!'. The heady smell of petrol was in the air shooting a hip hop-inspired, motorbike-riding Toad for Metta's 'In the Willows'.
Able to switch effortlessly between styles to fulfil a brief, Michael's easygoing manner puts actors like Gemma Arterton and Jimmy Akingbola at ease immediately, while managing the shoot and each client's needs with creativity, flexibility, precision ND technical skill.
He is an AOP member and Fellow of the BIPP.
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spotlight magazine Jul 2018 portraiture & celebrity photography
London: Michael Wharley
The 2018 BIPP Photographer of the Year, Michael Wharley, shoots advertising, portrait and editorial work for a broad span of entertainment industry clients, and beyond, from his Central London studio.
His bold, atmospheric pictures balance narrative with visual impact to make a splash advertising film, TV and theatre, while his portraits effortlessly mix drama with a nuanced eye for lighting and colour.
Recent highlights include gritty images of the young cast of rock musical ‘Spring Awakening’, alongside a Game-of-Thrones-themed set for 'Knights of the Rose', and an 80s-inflected group for 'Fame!' Showcasing his lighter, more colourful side, Michael worked closely with Polka Theatre's design team and young models to produce all of their autumn season promotional imagery, and on Metta's Hip Hop-infused 'In the Willows'.
He has also shot a series of environmental working portraits on commission in India, a personal project on cold water swimmers in South London, and a set of working portraits of artists.
As comfortable working with screen printers and swimming pensioners as celebrities like Gemma Arterton or Gugu Mbatha Raw, Michael brings creativity, flexibility, precision and technical skill to each new brief, possessing an easy-going, problem-solving manner. He is an AOP member and Fellow of the BIPP.
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showcase magazine May 2018 london issue 703
Michael Wharley advertising photographers
Based out of his Zone 1 Waterloo studio, Michael Wharley shoots advertising, portrait and editorial work for entertainment industry clients and beyond. He creates bold, atmospheric pictures that balance narrative with visual impact, for film and theatre posters, editorial portraits, TV shows, magazines, book covers and advertising campaigns.
Michael's portraits of the young cast of rock musical ‘Spring Awakening’ recently made a splash, one of over 20 entertainment advertising campaigns he has shot this year. An atmospheric series for ETT's 'The Weir' earned him 'Photographer of the Year' at the BIPP National Awards 2018.
Michael brings precision, technical skill and creativity to every brief, with an easy-going manner that makes the process simplicity itself. He is an AOP member and Fellow of the BIPP.
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spotlight magazine Mar 2018 portraiture & celebrity photography
London: Michael Wharley
London-based photographer Michael Wharley specialises in advertising, portrait and editorial work for entertainment industry clients and beyond. He creates bold, atmospheric pictures that balance narrative with visual impact, whether for film and theatre posters, editorial portraits, TV shows, magazines, book covers or advertising campaigns.
Recent highlights include shooting Alice Lowe for acclaimed horror-comedy ‘Prevenge’, an award-winning series for Connor McPherson's 'The Weir’, atmospheric portraits of ‘King of Clowns’ Chris Lynam, and the young cast of a major revival of modern rock musical ‘Spring Awakening’. He has also shot a series of environmental working portraits on commission in India, and a personal project on 'Cold Water Swimmers' in South London.
As comfortable shooting frosty pensioners as celebrities like Gemma Arterton or Gugu Mbatha Raw, Michael brings precision, technical skill and creativity to each new brief, with an easy-going manner that makes the process simplicity itself.
An AOP member and Fellow of the BIPP, Michael was recently awarded the 2018 BIPP 'Photographer of the Year' award.
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showcase magazine Sep 2017 london issue 659
Michael Wharley portrait photographers
Based out of his Waterloo studio in Central London, Michael Wharley shoots advertising, portrait and editorial work for entertainment industry clients.
An AOP member and Fellow of the BIPP, he creates bold, dramatic imagery that balances narrative with visual impact for film and theatre posters, magazines, book covers and more.
Recent highlights include shooting writer-director Alice Lowe for acclaimed horror-comedy 'Prevenge', poster imagery for Connor McPherson's 'The Weir' for ETT, and striking portraits of Joe Pasquale for the UK tour of 'Some Mother Do 'Ave'Em'. He has also shot an array of well-known faces, from Gemma Arterton to Gugu Mbatha Raw, Werner Herzog to Kelly Brook and Nicholas Pinnock.
His ongoing 'The Attitudes' project for charity Acting for Others was recently exhibited at The Globe Theatre in London.
See more of his work on his website.
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spotlight magazine Jul 2017 portraiture & celebrity photography
London: Michael Wharley
Michael Wharley is London-based and specialises in advertising, portrait and editorial work for entertainment industry clients. He creates bold, dramatic imagery that balances narrative with visual impact, for film and theatre posters, magazines, book covers and more.
Recent highlights include shooting Alice Lowe for acclaimed horror-comedy 'Prevenge', and a Carravagio-esque series for Connor McPherson's 'The Weir', plus he shot an array of well-known faces, from Gemma Arterton to Gugu Mbatha Raw, from Werner Herzog to Kelly Brook and Nicholas Pinnock.
His on-going 'The Attitudes' project for charity Acting for Others was recently exhibited at The Globe Theatre in London.
An AOP member and Fellow of the BIPP, Michael brings precision, technical skill and creativity to bear in the studio or on location, and his performance background lends him an easy, intuitive manner in helping actors and celebrities bring their best to the camera.
His studio is in Central London. See more of his work on his website.