I have enjoyed a long and exciting career that began in my native London and blossomed after I crossed “The Pond” to America. As far back as I can remember I have loved watching films and being fascinated by the process of making them. I wanted to be a film director but there weren’t many avenues available to pursue that dream in London at the time. I was fortunate to grow up during the “Swinging Sixties” and was captivated by the work of David Bailey and Terence Donovan and Brian Duffy, and the new wave of super models they worked with during those halcyon days. I loved the melding of photography, fashion, music, film and theatre. My creative juices were salivating.

I arrived in Philadelphia in 1977 and from that moment until 2009 my life took me on a different journey. I became an integral part of the wine world. My initial foray into wine was managing my late father-in-law’s wine store in New Jersey,  and developing a following for the newly emerging California wine region, along with boutique wines from around the world. Then from 1981 until 1995 I was president of a wine import company, sourcing, importing, marketing and distributing limited production wines from Germany and Australia.

It was during this period my creativity kicked in. I launched “Tastings in the Sky” in-flight wine and food programmes for Virgin Atlantic Airways. Passengers in Virgin’s “Upper Class” travelling between London and New York were entertained by me, and celebrities I brought along for the ride. In the late 1990′s, I began my high profile media career and emerged as one of the leading special event organizers. I  worked with a variety of food and wine personalities including wine authors Robert Parker and Hugh Johnson, lifestyle guru Robin Leach, and TV chefs Emeril Lagasse, Graham Kerr and Julia Child.

I became a TV and radio wine commentator, author and syndicated columnist, writing and hosting my award winning radio features “Wining About The Good Life”, on Philadelphia’s NPR radio station, and my twice Emmy® nominated PBS TV programmes “One On Wine with Phillip Silverstone”. My column “Wining About The Good Life” was published in 50 weekly newspapers, and my book “Cheers! The World of a Wine-osaur” took me on a year long book signing tour sponsored by American Express® .

I hosted “Wine-tertainment” events for hotels and restaurants. I was featured on CNN and was a regular on-camera contributor on The Food Network.  I was also a regular guest on BBC radio and TV in the UK and the popular London talk station LBC.

Eventually, through the circuitous diversions of my career, I fulfilled my destiny.  Bidding farewell to the world of wine I produced and hosted a radio series focusing on entertainment and fashion. This led to weekly podcasts (TuneIn Radio) and streaming shows (Youtube).

I became part of the movie and theatre junket circuit in New York, attending previews of films, followed by interviews with the directors and lead actors. At the end of each interview I photographed my guests, using a small point and shoot camera. The interviews were affording me the opportunity to capture portraits of Hollywood and Broadway A-Listers.  And I realized I was enjoying that part of the process the most.

In 2016, a car accident, a spine operation and 18 months of recovery gave me the hiatus needed to devote every minute studying photography. I discovered iconic photographers, and taught myself techniques that surprisingly came naturally. Having spent so many years in front of television cameras, I could apply that experience to being the other side of the lens.  Exposed by Silverstone was the opportunity I had craved since childhood in London. I could finally work with models and create magic through our collaborations.

Professional and aspiring models enjoy my approach to their craft, learned from the TV directors I worked with both sides of the Atlantic for over 20 years. My work is instinctive and spontaneous. Even though I create Mood Boards for fashion shoots, they are merely a road map, and I allow myself to take diversions along the way.  As a writer my words seemed to spill onto the page without my guidance. I simply typed what they willed me to say. I have the same experience with the camera, and as soon as I look through the viewfinder, the images take on a life of their own and result in magical captures. All I do is press the shutter button!

Portraits are my greatest love, but I adore my macro lenses and making images of minuscule creatures who live amongst us. I also enjoy photographing the excitement of street life. I have embraced photography with the passion one might have for a long lost friend. We knew each other once, when the world was young. And there was an inevitability we would find each other again one day, and live happily ever after.

Enjoy browsing through my curated galleries of images on this website. I look forward to working with you, and sharing my passion for my art. My dry British humour and my relaxed approach to our photo shoot will sprinkle pixie dust on our collaboration.

Regards,

Phillip Silverstone