Lou Reed Rock and Roll Heart Colour

Lou Reed “Rock and Roll Heart" Colour

Date: July 01 2011 (Pre-show)
Venue: Wolverhampton Civic Hall
Location: Wolverhampton
Never before seen Limited Edtion print
25 printed at this size

Printed on Fuji Matt
Fuji Crystal Archive paper with a semi-matt finish.

Paper Size 20" x 30"

Prints numbered and signed by the Photographer.

It takes time to get the perfect shot. A photographer will tell you it takes hours, even days to get the right photo, but what if I was to tell you that this portrait was over a year in the making.

So much happened between meeting Lou for the first time in 2010 and sitting down to take this portrait in 2011. I look back on this period where I greatly developed my skills and passion for photography and much of that development was thanks to the incredible artist and icon that was Lou Reed.

I first met Lou as a second-year photography student. The opportunity came at a meet and greet for his Metal Machine Music tour in the spring of 2010. Whilst there I spoke to Lou about his photography, my own work inspired by his photography book- Romanticism and our shared interest for Leica cameras. It was this conversation that would later encourage the purchase of my first Leica rangefinder.  Furthermore he took the time to give me guidance and advice that would go on to shape my future projects, one of them being my degree show the following year which led me to Las Vegas. 

I felt inspired to make my journey to Vegas where Brandon Flowers, lead singer of The Killers and collaborator on ‘Tranquilize’ from the album ‘Sawdust’ would be performing at the pre-opening of The Cosmopolitan. The trip went well and shortly before Lou returned to the UK, I contacted his personal assistant about the possibility of showing him the work I had done. Remarkably Lou remembered me from the previous year and was looking forward to meeting with me. 

I met Lou for the second time in July 2011. His PA led me to where Lou was having dinner and after joining him, I excitedly asked to take his picture to which, Lou replied with a quick “no”. My confidence was knocked slightly but we began to talk about my trip to Vegas and the pictures I had taken. Lou helped with the selection process and offered me some more advice. A little while later, after talking for some time, I once again asked to take Lou’s portrait, this time however he agreed, light-heartedly telling me “Just one”, he didn’t mean it but just one would turn out to be enough. I took the picture and to his surprise told him I had got it. He asked if I was sure and I assured him I was. I knew I had the perfect picture. 

I spent the following days editing the picture in time for his next show at the London Hammersmith Apollo, where I would present it to Lou. I remember his words were “Wow” and “I love them”. I hugged his PA and thanked her for making this incredible opportunity happen. 

Lou would go on to mentor me via email and I would see him whenever he came to the UK. 

The last time I saw Lou was at an event held at the Corinthia Hotel in London for one of his last projects “Transformer”, a Genesis Publications book between him and Mick Rock. I had made some adjustments to the original version of the portrait, as I was not fully satisfied with what I had produced in the limited time I had previously. Lou loved the new edit, he was really touched and I was congratulated by both Lou and Mick for the work I had done.

Lou died five weeks later. 

It truly was one of the greatest privileges to have been able to work with such an iconic figure. The advice Lou handed me still shapes the work I do today and will continue to influence my photography.

I have kept this portrait close to my heart for many years, but Lou was such an inspiration to so many people I am happy to bring this portrait to those true fans of Lou Reed’s Rock and Roll Heart.

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