In 2025, the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra commissioned me to photograph the key art for its 2025/26 season, working with Alphabet Studio on a campaign designed to introduce the individual musicians behind the Orchestra.

Across three days in January and February, we photographed members of the Orchestra in locations inspired by their personalities, interests and lives outside music. The aim was to create a series of character-led environmental portraits that revealed something individual about each musician while still belonging to a coherent wider campaign.

Each portrait was accompanied by the musician’s own words, reflecting the interests, passions and experiences that informed their image:

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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. Kebabs are the perfect food for a hungry musician who’s short of time.”

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. 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. 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.”

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.”

Client: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Agency: Alphabet Studio
Photographer: Drew Forsyth
Assistant: Naomi Kane