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A captivating collection of rare celebrity passport photos has been unveiled in a newly published book, offering a glimpse into the lives of the famous like never before.
Entitled Passport Photo Service: An Unexpected Archive of Celebrity Portraits, the book showcases over 300 candid headshots taken over several decades at a discreet London studio that unwittingly became a hotspot for the stars.
The intriguing archive was curated by Philip Sharkey, who is the son of David Sharkey, the founder of the Passport Photo Service. Established on the bustling Oxford Street in 1953, the studio enjoyed a prime location that attracted a host of celebrities.
Located near the American Embassy, the studio became a convenient choice for last-minute passport photos for world-renowned figures, including Hollywood legends, music icons, and sports stars such as Shania Twain, Errol Flynn, Muhammad Ali, and Ringo Starr.
Visitors to the studio would find themselves surrounded by these illustrious images, which adorned the walls as they awaited their own photographic session, adding an air of celebrity allure to the experience.
But now, for the first time ever, these intimate portraits are being shared publicly, along with touching stories from the man who took them.Â
Muhammad Ali is pictured in a passport photo taken by David Sharkey in London
Joan Collins stopped by for three separate pictures in the 1960s and 70s. They are included in the new collection
Among the most memorable names featured are Woody Allen, Joan Collins, and Madonna.Â
Recalling Allen’s visit to the studio around the release of his 1980 film Stardust Memories, Sharkey said the director appeared less than thrilled to be there.
‘When customers who are so recognizable look a bit cheesed off at having to dash from the embassy to have their picture taken and then rush back, I always think it best to leave them be,’ he wrote.
The frosty encounter only became more notable when it came time for Allen to pay.
‘He didn’t seem to understand the value of UK currency and just thrust some notes at me, which I carefully picked out, giving him a rough conversion rate. He didn’t seem too bothered by that.’
Allen wasn’t the only aloof A-lister to enter the studio, with Van Morrison ignoring Sharkey’s uncle Peter when he told him that he had purchased tickets to see him in concert.
In stark contrast, Sharkey described Dynasty diva Collins as a complete charmer who was fully aware of the effect she had on his small studio and its customers.
‘When Joan Collins walked into the studio to be photographed for a third time in July 1988, she was at the peak of her fame,’ he recalled.
Actor Dudley Moore is seen in two snaps at left. Musician Van Morrison is pictured at right in a 1988 image
Shania Twain is seen at left in 2003, while Kate Winslet is pictured at right in 1997, the same year the film Titanic shot her to international fame
Sean Connery stopped by the studio on two separate occasions. The above photos show his appearance hardly changed in over a decade.
Bianca and Mick Jagger both stopped by the studio in June 1967 to have their passport photos taken
Sting is seen in a photo taken two decades ago. Passport Photo Service remained in operation until 2019.Â
Screen legends Sir Alec Guinness and Ava Gardner both visited the studio.
The book is published by Phaidon and is on sale now
‘She had been in a few times before with her children, but Dynasty was now a huge television series,’ he continued.
‘The customers who were waiting sat open-mouthed as she said to us, “Darlings, how are you? It is so nice to see you all again,” before telling the stunned onlookers, “I never go anywhere else for my passport photos”.’
He also revealed that Collins had the perfect pose downpat, describing it as, ‘on a very slight angle to the left’.
Meanwhile, ‘Queen of Funk’ Chaka Khan earned rave reviews from the photographer, who described her as ‘a delight to photograph’ with ‘a happy, natural smile’.Â
But not every celebrity was willing to risk a public outing to the Oxford Street studio.Â
When Madonna needed new passport pictures taken, Sharkey instead travelled to Home House – the ultra-exclusive private members club where the superstar was staying with then-husband Guy Ritchie while their home was undergoing renovations.
‘They had just put their children to bed and sat themselves down unceremoniously on some flight cases for their portraits,’ he remembered.
Sharkey added that he also photographed several of Madonna’s children during separate visits to the studio with their nanny.
Passport Photo Service remained in operation until 2019.
The coffee table book, which was released on April 15 and is designed to look like a passport wallet, also features portraits of Mick Jagger, Kate Winslet, Little Richard, George Michael, Bill Murray, Roy Orbison, Katy Perry, and many more.Â