In Conversation With Bryan Adams: Your Favourite Artist’s Favourite Photographer
Please forgive me, but photography is not the first thing that comes to mind when I think of Bryan Adams. As Adams’ self-declared biggest fan under the age of 35, I’ve been to his shows in Mumbai and London, and on stage, the Summer of ’69 singer is, of course, every bit the rockstar you can imagine. But off stage, between touring, studio recordings and sold-out stadium gigs, Bryan Adams has long since found a passion for stepping away from the spotlight and going behind the lens instead.
Since the late 1990s, Adams has been documenting his life on tour on camera, and he’s even self-shot a few of his album covers. He also happens to have photographed some of the most iconic models, performers, actors and political figures in the world – Kate Moss, Victoria Beckham, Robbie Williams, Pink, Avril Lavigne, Mick Jagger, Naomi Campbell and Lana Del Rey are just a few of them.
Ahead of his photography exhibition #SHOTBYADAMS at ME London, hosted in collaboration with Atlas Gallery and A Space for Art, Adams chats to us about some of his favourite pieces from the collection, how he started taking pictures and what it’s like to photograph the most famous people in the world.
When did you start taking pictures, and what made you realise that you wanted to pursue photography seriously alongside music?
We always had cameras and film in our house, because my uncle worked at Ilford Film. No one else really took to it, and somewhere along the line, I was given a small Agfa camera, which I used to take my first photos. I have always carried a camera on tour with me to document what is going on and in the studio as well. This was all just for fun to document the making of the records.
I have always carried a camera on tour with me to document what is going on and in the studio as well.
I realised the significance that photography was playing, and without really knowing it, I was watching what was going on and how shoots were being put together. Then, while travelling in Japan in the 80s, I bought myself a Rolleiflex camera, and I loved every frame that I took with that camera, even the blurry ones. It was from that point that I started doing auto portraits, which led to doing my own album covers.
You’ve photographed so many high-profile British icons, from Victoria Beckham to Kate Moss. Is there a cue you always give people to get a great shot?
There is no secret sauce to taking photos; it’s the same as making songs, something just happens, and you better be ready for it!
Could you tell us about a particularly special moment that’s stuck with you from shooting the #ShotByAdams series?
There are so many, the old adage that every picture tells a story is absolutely true. One of my favourite people to work with was Iggy Pop. He arrived with no entourage, loved all the ideas and was up for everything. Whenever a subject is into being there, you get great results. Willem Dafoe is another great example, wonderful to work with.
Do you welcome the break from the spotlight that taking pictures can give you?
I’ve never thought of it. That way, I find both creating music and creating images really exciting. I can remember back in the days when I had to use a dark room, and waiting for the box of prints to arrive was akin to Christmas. Everything about it, the unravelling of the prints, to the smell of the freshly printed paper…
I can remember back in the days when I had to use a dark room, and waiting for the box of prints to arrive was akin to Christmas.
Is there one photograph from the exhibition that you’re most proud of, and can you tell us why?
There’s a shot of Amy Winehouse wearing an Armani dress. When I first suggested that she tried it on she said, “I’m not wearing that fucking thing.” She ended up taking it home with her; she loved it so much.
Are people surprised when they realise you’re going to be the one photographing them?
Sometimes, they just think the name is the same. I can remember one time working with Moby, and after about 20 minutes, he looked at me and said, “Man, you even look like Bryan Adams”. He had no idea.
I thought your exhibition at ME London was brilliant, and also quite emotional. What feeling do you hope to leave people with after they’ve seen these pictures?
I’m glad you liked it. I can’t say that I have any particular desire one way or another. The photos are what they are, and in many cases, they are documents to a particular time and place. I always say a good photo is a photo you can remember.
Is there a story behind the shot of Victoria Beckham in heels on the bike?
The shots of Victoria were taken in my studio in London for Zoo Magazine. I wanted to take photographs of her in a way that no one would ever have seen her before, so I hired a bicycle!
I wanted to take photographs of her in a way that no one would ever have seen her before.
Do you break into song while photographing someone?
Yes, it happens all the time and not just on a photo shoot, I mean… I am a singer as well! Usually, it’s whatever is playing in the studio and I’m singing along.
You’ve worked on two other photography books, and photographed people from opposite ends of the spectrum, poverty to privilege – what’s been your biggest takeaway from this experience?
People are people, no matter how much you try and dress them up, we’re all the same, yet so different. It’s one of the fascinating things about being a portrait photographer. I find the job to be quite humbling and grounding.
People are people, no matter how much you try and dress them up.
Is there someone you’d love to photograph whom you haven’t already?
There are so many, I’ve always wanted to work with Olivia Colman, and the great actors of Hollywood, like Schwarzenegger. Life is long.
The exhibition is running till 25th July at the ME London. To know more or to purchase a photograph, email melondon.concierge@melia.com or info@atlasgallery.com.
