Press release:
Leica partners with John Wright – UK celebrity and fashion photographer
08/03/2010
Leica Camera Ltd has announced a partnership with UK celebrity and fashion photographer, John Wright, for its recently-launched professional camera system, the Leica S-System.
As part of the agreement between Wright and Leica, photographers will be able to experience the S-System first hand through a series of activities including interviews and photographic sessions, and workshops at the Leica Store Mayfair ‘Studio S’. John will also use the camera for a number of high profile shoots throughout the year.
Wright’s meteoric rise to the top of the celebrity photography sector has seen him become the premier provider of images in music, television and show business across the world, creating some of the most iconic editorial pictures of the past few years.
His picture of Lily Allen dancing with panthers became one of the most-talked-about images of 2009, appearing on magazine covers across the world before eventually winning ‘Magazine Cover of the Year’, while his incredible composition – Artists of the Century – took ten months to shoot in 27 locations across three countries with 34 of the biggest names in popular music eventually appearing in one image. Wright featured prominently in news reports around the world as the last photographer to have a portrait sitting with the late Michael Jackson.
John Sareen, commercial manager, Leica Camera Ltd, said, “We’re thrilled to have John on board. He brings tremendous knowledge, experience, energy and passion to the brand, and represents the highest level of professional photography, which is exactly where the S-System is aimed.”
An insight into Wright’s incredible schedule amongst high profile celebrities can be illustrated through his 2009 shot list: Lady GAGA, U2, Rihanna, Pink, Kings of Leon, Noel Gallagher, Florence and the Machine, Peaches Geldof, Cheryl Cole, Derren Brown, Killers, Sir Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, Muse, Elbow, Robert Plant, Snow Patrol, Green Day, Coldplay, Mike, Dizzy Rascal, Arctic Monkeys, Mark Ronson, Kasabian, Prodigy, Bruce Springsteen, Jamie Cullum and Ricky Gervais.
John Wright said, “Leica is one of the premier camera manufacturers in the world and I’m delighted to have this opportunity to be involved with the S-System. My initial experiences have been extremely positive. Ease of use, reliability and incredible image resolution are all essential in my work, and the S2 has delivered in every department. The sheer presence of the camera on the shoots I’ve used it on, its beautiful design and build quality, as well as the instant impact of the Leica ‘red dot’ have all brought something to the whole shoot experience with clients and subjects alike.”
About the Leica S-System
The Leica S-System is the only professional camera system to make a clean break from legacy systems such as 35mm or medium format, and was developed specifically for the digital domain. The S-System delivers a perfect combination of the highest image quality, reference-class lenses and unrivalled ease of use. It breaks new ground in every way, ensuring that photographers will enjoy perfect results from a camera that is truly easy to handle, and sets new standards for flexibility, durability and intuitive operation in the professional camera category.
Notes
John Wright (43), was brought up in Glasgow where he initially studied as an actor moving into stage management in theatres before starting his own PR company and founding Scotland’s first alternative comedy club at 19. He travelled to London and began assisting Royal photographers working round the clock before starting his own photographic agency at just 20. Four years later he joined The Daily Express and worked his way up to be News Picture Editor and then Picture Editor of the Sunday Express. He then joined The Daily Mail as Deputy Picture Editor but decided to leave in 2000 to restart his career in photography.
For further information or interviews with John Wright please contact Louise Plank on 020 8995 3936 or lou@plankpr.com or to see his work please visit http://www.johnwrightphoto.com/ and http://www.jwmagazine.co.uk/.
For further information on Leica and the S-System, please contact: Jenny Hodge, Marketing Manager, Leica Camera Ltd jenny.hodge@leica-camera.co.uk Tel: 07920 291920
