Name Hugo Rittson-Thomas | Role Photographer | |
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Hugo Rittson-Thomas is a British photographer. He is best known for high-profile photographic portraiture, including portraits of Queen Elizabeth II, the Dalai Lama and David Cameron.
Contents
His book, Secret Gardens of the Cotswolds is published by Frances Lincoln and will be released on 5 February 2015.
Biography
For many years Rittson-Thomas worked in film and television, including as a producer and director for Channel 4 and London Weekend Television. He worked closely with Janet Street Porter as a director on the influential youth TV programme Network 7. He gave up film and television to study Fine Art at Central Saint Martins, Middlesex University (Hornsey College of Art), under Professor Jon Thompson and Goldsmiths University of London. He subsequently trained as a qualified fine art teacher, completing his PGCE at the UCL Institute of Education, London before teaching for a while in London Comprehensive schools.
Work
Rittson-Thomas works principally as a portrait photographer. His 2014 project the Queen's People is a photographic portrait of the British monarchy today, and those who sustain it. The project comprises fifty formal portraits based on special access granted by The Queen, Prince William and Prime Minister David Cameron, as well as to members of the clergy, livery, royal palace, Parliament, military and peers. The photographs offer a detailed insight into the traditional dress codes and pageant of the United Kingdom, whilst focusing on the characters behind the royal and ceremonial regalia.
Before he became a portraitist, Rittson-Thomas made fine art film and video art. He made a noted video work about Princess Diana, which featured in the art exhibition Temple of Diana. The show was curated by the art writer Neal Brown.
Charity work
Rittson-Thomas has supported The National Deaf Children's Society as Committee Chairman for a fundraiser, David Beckham - Interpretations in Art & Other Matters, that celebrated the charity's Diamond Jubilee Year. The event raised £150,000 for the charity. Other charities supported include Nineteen Raptures and RAPt.