Brian Aris
Top British Photographer Brian Aris has one of the largest and most diverse photographic libraries in music history. His photographs of the riots in Northern Ireland were printed around the World and in contrast just a short time later one of his photographs of Princess Anne visiting the African country of Sudan was published on the cover of British Vogue. Working for Save the Children, a visit to famine-stricken Ethiopia led to an enduring friendship with Sir Bob Geldof and ultimately as official photographer to the now famous Band Aid group pictures which he continued in the following years by having backstage studios at Live Aid, Net Aid and most recently Live8. After ten years of reportage he opened his first studio in London and began to photograph models and friends in the music business. So began a period in which he comprehensively covered the explosion in British music throughout the eighties and early nineties. These sessions included The Beatles, David Bowie, Sting and The Police, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, Blondie, Boy George, Madonna, Kate Bush, Annie Lennox, Bob Geldof and of course the late Paula Yates who was one of Brian’s favourite subjects. His album and single credits include George Michael, Sting, Dire Straits, Michael McDonald, Human League, Linda Rondstat, Boomtown Rats, Mike Oldfield, Kenny Rogers, Rick Springfield, Eurythmics, Pet Shop Boys, Moody Blues, Cliff Richards, Tina Turner, Elton John, The Who and of course Blondie. Brian’s studio work expanded to cover photography on actors, authors, musicians and politicians. He was asked to take official photographs of Her Majesty The Queen to mark her 70th birthday and later the official pictures of the golden wedding anniversary with Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh. He has also photographed other members of the royal family including Princess Margaret, The Duchess of York, Viscount Linley, The Duchess of Kent, Peter Phillips, The Duke of York and recently Kate Middleton for the Royal Wedding. In October 2009 Brian had photographs published in a book celebrating the career of supermodel Twiggy. He also has images in the National Portrait Gallery, London exhibition celebrating Twiggy’s life, alongside Richard Avedon, Cecil Beaton, Bert Stern, Norman Parkinson and Steven Maisel amongst others. In her comments about working with Brian Twiggy says. “He is the ultimate professional.”