LONDON ISSUE 711 Sep 2018

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.