I was approached by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra in Spring of 2025 to shoot the key art for their 2025/2026 season.

The concept behind the campaign is to introduce you to the individual musicians in the Orchestra, so over a period of three days in January & February we took the musicians to locations that inspired them, and were informed by their interests.

Eli (cello) – “I love the physical and mental challenges that come with climbing, the emotion and power you feel part of while playing Shostakovich symphonies, and that making fun or useful things with crochet is a good counterbalance to spending a lot of time creating something that we can’t see!”

Amy (violin) – “Highland cows have my heart – unassuming and gentle, they are also intelligent and incredibly tough. Ravel’s music is just magical, I always feel that he’s telling us a story. I was introduced to shuffleboard recently and am now a fan. It’s classy, simple and enjoyable to play regardless of whether you’re winning or not!”

Jonny (horn) – “I try to lead as balanced a life as possible, and Metal is the ‘Yang’ to my classical ‘Yin’. It is equally as powerful, to me. Game of Thrones is the contemporary representative for my love of the fantasy genre. As for Scriabin, it’s sublime music but he’s also on my list because he was a Theosophist and filled his music with mysticism.”

Sarah (viola) – “My husband Peter and I love curling up on the sofa with our giant Siberian Cat, Chewy, to watch TV – especially The Traitors! Brahms has always been my favourite composer for a few reasons – his melodies are unmatched, his orchestral and chamber music works are oozing with richness and harmonic textures that give me goosebumps! Fun fact – apparently, I might be related to him! “
 
Russell (bass trombone) – “The BBC Proms is the greatest celebration of classical music on the planet. Even after 32 seasons I’m still thrilled to be returning to the glorious Royal Albert Hall. As for telescopes, ever since childhood I have been fascinated by astronomy. My modest reflector telescope allows me to glimpse some of the many wonders of the universe. Wagner is truly a Titan in music history. The Ring Cycle has to be one of the most epic and visionary works ever conceived for the stage.“
 
Roberto (bassoon) – “I love the elegant fusion of musical and culinary arts, and I can certainly imagine it at the time of Puccini in the elegant context of Downton Abbey!”

Ronan (double bass) – A friend of mine described Bach as being indestructible. The Six Nations rugby is hard to top as a sporting spectacle. Fast, furious, powerful. Whether it’s old enemies or new rivals, each team plays every game like it’s their last, no holding back. Proper sport. Kebabs are the perfect food for a hungry musician who’s short of time. Delicious and quick. Bread, meat, salads and pickles, it’s the perfect meal.

Rebecca (horn) – I enjoy going out with my family on long walks, and I know how it feels to spin all the plates all the time, but on watching Motherland, hopefully I don’t drop them as often! As for my favourite composer: Strauss. Four Last Songs and Der Rosenkavalier get me every time.

Lisa (violin) – I enjoy baking with sourdough, especially German pretzels and Scandinavian cardamom rolls. Shoes always cheer me up and it is fun matching them to my outfits (I might own a rather large and colourful selection...!). As for Bruckner, he holds a special place in my heart… his music moves me!

John (clarinet) – Our grandson was born last year and gives unlimited happiness. Brahms’s music is so tender and majestic, all at the same time. I play 5-a-side on Sunday nights and it’s always exhilarating – and I’m lucky to have very patient friends!

Aly (violin) – Paris is the most elegant city I’ve ever seen; Messiaen seems to come from another planet; etching fascinates me because there’s so much to go wrong.

CREDITS:
Agency: Alphabet Studio (@alphabet_studio)
Client: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra (@bbcphilharmonic)
Photographer: Drew Forsyth (@_drewforsyth)
Assistant: Naomi Kane (@itsnaomikane)