Kim Clijsters Nearly Christmas, so where else but Brussels? Belgian Tennis Ace Kim Clijsters announced her comeback to the game two years after her retirement and has had huge success storming back up the World rankings. It was a fast paced photo shoot on behalf of You magazine. With strict instructions not to ring the doorbell before 2 00 pm, after tea and cake that left only one and a half hours for the shoot the photographs itself. Luckily Simon had selflessly put himself on a punishing diet of non-stop moules and frits for a whole weekend in preparation. His sacrifice paid off and Kim, her very cute daughter Jada and the family dog all got a look in. Kim looked glamorous in ball gown and matching tennis racquet, and the photo shoot was captured for posterity on video - 1 of 3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDaDwBmJn8I - click the link to get a glimpse of the master at work, yes that is him, yes he is short but it is only fair to let you know he is actually kneeling down here.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stacey Soloman, It was a cold and snowy day somewhere in North London. Most specifically ,the rather tiny house our intrepid hero slithered to, risking life and lens to meet up with the very lovely Stacey Soloman. And hours slithering well spent as you can see from the results. The naturally self-effacing Stacey may not realise how beautiful she is, but the camera is in no doubt.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marti Pellow and Dragons Den. Into the warehouse that was the setting for the BBC's Dragons Den with Wet Wet Wet's Marti Pellow for a shoot for his new website. Simon shot the Wets first press shoot way back in 1984, if his now dodgy memory serves him right, and the relationship has continued ever since. The familiar brickwork has been revisited with twist. A Jack Vettriano fan, Marti took his inspiration from the artist and fellow Scot. Mission accomplished I think. It took 2 days to accomplish the 360-degree view of the room. No dragons, no tears and no disappointment, the result is a moody sexy apartment, a perfect setting for some Pellow Talk. And sorry Marti fans, that's not Duncan Bannatyne in the suspenders, it's his rather gorgeous wife. Sigh.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Olly Murs, Olly Stanley Murs, were his parents Laurel and Hardy fans ...? The boy, who, along with Stacey Solomon put the Essex in the X factor, came over to EC2 for this photo shoot. Young Olly was a natural in front of the camera, indoors and out, gamely perching on a disco ball and steaming in a wet shirt for the G T Magazine.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arlene Philips Choreographer and ex Strictly judge, has a session for You magazine. Since her controversial sacking earlier this year she has gone from strength to strength. The dance diva showed she was still sizzling at 60 and a lot less scary in real life!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Russell Watson has made a long awaited return to the recording studio after a 3 year absence. Recording his latest album La Voce in Rome with the Roma Sinfionetta. Simon agreed to join him there, another sacrifice in the pursuit of art. It was to be a 2-day shoot, but Russell, still in recovery from his lengthy battle against cancer, was not quite strong enough for the second day. That having been said, when at full strength he was an extremely funny guy. Amazing Fact -The Roma Sinfionetta was Ennio Morricone's orchestra of choice. Ennio Morricone was the composer who scored the Spaghetti Westerns of Director Sergio Leone, Simon had spaghetti on his first night in Rome. Co-incidence? I don't think so.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Simon Fowler and Howard Jones go way back, all the way to High Wycombe in fact, where Howard was born and Simon went to college. Simon first worked with the synth pop icon way in the 80's. Simon having shot Humans lib, Dream into Action, What is love Album and Single Sleeves Covers and many more. He did a lot of things way back in the 80's but this something he can remember quite clearly. Howard Jones has continued recording and touring with re-mastered version of the hit 1985 album, Dream Into Action being released this year.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Russell Watson, in West Wycombe for a press shoot( do you do loyalty cards Simon? ) Now you might not have Russell Watson down as a table football fiend , Simon didn't, hence suffering a sound thrashing, 9-2. Russell has sportingly offered a re-match( Simons in training as we speak ) My money is on Russell.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eh up it's Marti Pellow again, or is it?. Not just a pop star, Marti Pellow , has racked up some impressive theatre credits both in the West End and on Broadway. From smooth lawyer Billy Flynn in Chicago to devilish Daryl Van Horne in the Witches of Eastwick. Marti's latest role is as the eponymous hero of impresario Bill Kenwright's latest musical production Jekyll and Hyde. Simon captured both faces of the troubled scientist and his sadistic alter ego -Jekyll and Hyde is on tour from Jan 2011.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
French Soprano Natalie Dessay has been photographed by Simon on several occasions in the past. The petite Parisenne opera star has happily swung from the rafters and submerged herself in water, this girl knows no bounds. This time however she kept both feet on the ground and was content to drape herself over the furniture, looking amazing of course. The results can be seen on Natalies new album Cleopatra, a selection of Arias from Handel's Giulio Cesare.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mathew Horne This is a man who needs no introduction, anyone who hasn't seen this actor/stand-up comedian/presenter recently probably doesn't have a television. Back to the Pleasant Photographic Studio in Clerkenwell where perched on a chimney pot, the charming and camera friendly Mr. Horne managed a look of calm, which belied the whirlwind of activity beneath.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marti Pellow. Cuddling up in North London's Lordship Park location. The shoot is for the cover of his forthcoming album Love to Love and this time Simon multi tasks, as well as photographing the Album cover he directs the TV commercial, such a talented little chap. The tvc is coming soon to a small screen near you; the album is released in January 2011.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Melissa Hamilton one of the youngest new stars of the Royal Ballet, photographed in the rehearsal studios of the Royal Opera House for a feature in the Mail on Sunday. Melissa Hamilton, from Dromore, County Down was actually turned down by the Royal Ballet School at the age of seventeen, but persevered anyway. Now being heralded as the new D'arcy Bussell, it just shows that beyond having the perfect physique and a huge talent, it pays to have a stubborn streak.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A favourite subject of Simon's, actress Tamzin Outhwaite has recently made a triumphant return to London's West End with her portrayal of Charity Hope in the musical Sweet Charity. She was on brilliant form for this photo shoot in.............well, if you have been concentrating maybe you can tell me.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Busman's Holiday Never one to let the grass grow under his feet,( why waste a photo opportunity? ) Simon has compiled some astonishing imagery from the natural world. His travels have taken him to some beautiful countries, but he doesn't always have to go far to get a great shot. A holiday in Skibereen, west of Cork found him hovering over a frozen pond one frosty morning , the result being one of a series of dynamic photographic abstracts from the shattered frozen water, it looked more like an Alien planet. Hard to believe there is that much going on in such a small space, rather like his good self. .....Watch this space!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hidden in darkest Twickenham is a rare little gem of a location. The Langdon Down Centre houses a beautifully preserved Victorian theatre, perfect for Decca's latest signing, quirky singer /songwriter Kirsty Almeida. It was a very long day, involving a Day of the Dead shrine and a highly-strung chicken. One of the highlights being a sudden fall of snow which provided the backdrop for an impromptu tea-party a la Almeida. P.S. no chickens were hurt in the taking of these photographs; in fact the chicken came out of it rather well financially!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Natalie Stutzmann - Paris seems to be the home of the gifted and unusual. An internationally renowned contralto and a conductor. This rare and unique artiste is also a pretty competent musician in her own right having learned to play piano and Bassoon from an early age. Simon met up with her for a photo shoot for her album cover.The result - some moody and evocative?? Shots of this musicienne formidable (French accent, go on!)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Valeriy Sokolov - Still only 24,this young Ukrainian Violinist, won a scholarship to study at the Yehudi Menuhin schools at the age of 13 and has been winning prizes ever since- Now signed to Virgin Classics, he turned up for a cover shoot for his up coming album.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coming soon........SMILE OR FROWN - the great new website from Simon Fowler You may have noticed at the top of the page -Prints for Sale - If you click on this button you will be re-directed to Smile Or Frown - ( Simon R Fowler get it? ) This new website offers the chance to buy some original photographic prints from the man himself. Some are classic portraits from his extensive archives; iconic images of of the likes of Deborah Harry, Chrissie Hynde,Mike Hucknell, Pretenders, Phillip Oakey, Duran Duran,Thom York ,Ozzy Ozbourne to name but a few,all of which have been given a contemporary treatment especially for the website , others are from his own personal photographic portfolio. Included are some stunning Landscapes from his travels around the world and Abstract images of (who knows) flowers All these works are available now to buy. You can choose the size and quality of paper from a range suggested and is the owner of some unique and contemporary Wall Art, suitable for home or the office.