Through the lens of a self made man
Acclaimed celebrity photographer Derrick Santini is returning to his Scarborough roots for a new exhibition of his work – the first in his home town. Catherine Scott meets him.
DERRICK Santini ‘blames’ his mother for his celebrated career as a professional photographer who has taken pictures of some of the world’s most famous celebrities. “Mum loved taking pictures and putting them in a book – she was my earliest inspiration to be a photographer,” he says.
Santini is now returning to his Scarborough roots with a new exhibition of some of his of portraits of cultural icons from different generations and backgrounds. Included in the exhibition are portraits of famous musicians, entertainers and actors, including Adele, Dame Judi Dench, Idris Elba, One Direction and Stephen Graham. And they all have one thing in common – the fact they have made it in England.
“They may not have been born here but they have managed to become successful here no matter what their background.”
Self Made also refers to Santini’s own story of how he has shaped a professional career as a celebrated photographer and showcases the unique and inspiring individuals who have contributed significantly to British culture and made their mark in, and on, Britain in portraits taken over the last 30 years.
“It’s work I have done over a number of years and it had its first exhibition in London in November before bringing it to Scarborough in May. It's all about people who have made their name in England, and Scarborough have used it to refer to my story as well.
"There is something unique about England and the type of people it fosters. I feel fortunate to have been born here and Yorkshire in particular. My dad’s Italian and my mum is Swiss but I was born in England. From my experience of meeting all these people I am impressed by this idea of individuality. All these people are self made individuals no matter what their background is – but I am also saying something about England.
“As a humanist photographer, it is the people, in all their wondrous guises, that inform and inspire my work and worldview,” he explains. “I celebrate the individual; their spirit, vigour and vision that make them uniquely talented. I feel England nourishes and fosters this spirit.
“I have been very fortunate to collaborate with so many amazingly talented and incredible people, and really connect in a profound and spiritual way in the exchange of me taking their portrait. Portraiture is at the very heart of all my work, I see everything I shoot as a portrait, my life’s work is the study of people and the human condition through the lens of a camera. Now is the time to communicate all these experiences and connect the years of practice with the theory.”
He says the person he has photographed who most epitomises that is fashion designer Alexander McQueen.
“I knew him as a friend – we met through our dogs – we both has bull ter
‘As a humanist photographer, it is the people, in all their wondrous guises, that inform and inspire my work and worldview.’