Articles & Testimonials

Our Commission at the National Media Museum

A VISUAL snapshot of visitors has been created from dozens of portraits taken at the National Media Museum.

The project was part of the Bradford museum’s In Your Face experience, running until October 30, which explores the most photographed, examined, and expressive part of the human body – the face – with activities, displays and experiments.

Richard Stanley, who photographs under the name The Portrait Sideshow, set up in the museum’s In Your Face galleries every Thursday and Sunday over the summer, taking portrait shots of groups, families and individuals who visited. He has photographed hundreds of visitors, encompassing a range of ages, backgrounds and nationalities, including people from Australia, New Zealand and Saudi Arabia.

 

Rather than taking a simple ‘head and shoulders’ shot, Mr Stanley aimed to capture the personality or ‘soul’ of his subject, fitting in with the theme of the exhibition which explores how our faces reveal far more information than we realise.

Exhibition manager John O’Shea said: “We asked Richard to be part of In Your Face as one of the many interactive elements of our exhibition. He has created a wonderful series of portraits reflecting what a diverse range of visitors we have.”

Mr Stanley said: “It’s a fascinating project. As well as attempting to capture people’s personalities in a photograph, it gives a very interesting insight into the many different people who come along to the National Media Museum.

“Some brought in an object that is special to them, and we asked others to come along dressed in their ‘Sunday Best’. But it is their faces, and how they express the interaction, which tells the real story.”

Examples can be viewed in the In Your Face galleries and on the museum’s Flickr page, flickr.com/photos/mediamuseumfamilies and The Portrait Sideshow will be back at the museum on Thursday, taking photographs at the next ‘Lates’ evening opening for adult visitors.

In Your Face looks at people’s fascination with faces and portraits, and gives visitors the chance to experience a range of exhibits exploring the theme.

Visitors can see what their own faces look like when heading a ball in the Hit It installation by artist Leo Schatzl, find out about the latest facial recognition technology being deployed by police, and enjoy plenty of opportunities for selfies.

For more about In Your Face visit nationalmediamuseum.org.uk/inyourface or theportraitsideshow.wordpress.com or tweet #yourfaceisace

The Portrait Sideshow: Back by Popular Demand

Roll up! Roll up! Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, The Portrait Sideshow will be back at The Hepworth Wakefield on Bank Holiday Monday, 25 August2014, capturing the spirit of Wakefield for a salon style exhibition.

Come along and have your portrait taken by National Portrait Gallery exhibited photographer, Richard Stanley, in the gallery spaces. He will be using lighting, posing and his own-brand of pouting techniques to create beautiful and unusual portraits.

We asked the man himself, Richard, to tell us more about what to expect…

‘Are you bored of that same old holiday snap or selfie that you use for your profile picture? Is the mantle piece in your parlour bereft of your enigmatic smile? Are you struggling to think of a present for your Great Aunty Hilda? Then what are you waiting for? Come along for your portrait-making and soul-taking! Come as you are, or dress to impress. Strike your signature pose… YOU ARE THE STAR OF THIS SHOW’

Tweet The Pop Up Sideshow @PopUpSideshow and take a look at their Facebook page to see what they have been up to around Wakefield. Make sure you don’t miss artist Yuka Oyama’s Schmuck Quickies workshop on Bank Holiday Monday 2 – 4.30pm.

The Portrait Sideshow last paid us a visit in July. Here’s just a few of the portraits taken..

http://hepworthwakefieldblog.org/the-portrait-sideshow/

Every picture tells a story at Pontefract Liquorice Festival

Date: 30/06/2014
PR4613

Ever fancied having your portrait done by a top artist? Now’s your chance.

Visitors to the famous Pontefract Liquorice Festival on July 13 are to be given an opportunity to feature in a sideshow that’s head and shoulders above the rest.

People popping in to the portrait sideshow will find themselves the subject of a work by artist Richard Stanley, who has exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery.

Whether you are dressed to impress or in your casual gear, Richard will use advanced lighting and other techniques to produce a wide range of portraits that capture the soul and spirit of the festival.

All the images created at the sideshow will be used in an exhibition to be mounted at Pontefract Museum later this year.

The portrait sideshow, just one of the festival’s many attractions, will be open between 10am and 4pm in Pontefract Library.

Cllr Les Shaw, Wakefield Council’s cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport, said: “I’m sure the portrait sideshow will prove a draw for many people and it is an indication of the wide range of fun and attractions to be had at the festival.

“It will be fascinating to see how Richard’s work is used in Pontefract Museum’s exhibition later this year.”

 

http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/Pages/News/PR4613.aspx

The Portrait Sideshow featured by Yorkshire Ridings Magazine

We went to a do last year and I have to say that the pictures were the best I have ever seen!! Richard did a fantastic job, so much so that we have booked him for our wedding!! I know he’s not a traditional wedding guy but who wants proper wedding pictures when you can have The Portrait Sideshow photos!! Book him, he’s fantastic!
Rachael Bateson

The cherry on the icing. We had a fab Halloween social skate night and Rich was great bringing out the best (spooky side) in everyone.. I’ve never felt so at ease and had so much fun being photographed..
Would recommend highly if you want a great photo…
Carina Campbell

The Portrait Sideshow  popped up at the Pontefract Liquorice festival, and with an almighty flourish the soul of the festival was captured. The sideshow entertains, enthrals and best of all produces beautiful portraits.
Maya Harrison
Senior Cultural Development Officer: Arts & Audience

Hey. My opinion on the spooky skate shoot:
I found it a lot of fun. Very professional. Definitely have a true talent for getting the best out of a photo by making the person in front of the camera comfortable and getting them to step into their character!
I used to do modelling for a few months and found the professionalism that of a very high standard, and I had more fun and results out of this short shoot!
Ryan Newbould

I hate having my photograph taken, I feel awkward, nervous and embarrassed but you were fantastic. You made me feel comfortable, at ease and be able to laugh and got some really great photos of both me and my husband at the Wakey Wheeled Cats Masquerade ball. I love the photos I have from that night. Thank you.
Katie swift.

I loved having my photo taken by you, it was fun an very non-intimidating!
Emma Newbould

“I have a 4-year old son who has decided he doesn’t want his photos taken, so it was nice to have a portrait done for us as a family! Richard has made it fun and enjoyable. I didn’t think it would go well, what with a reluctant 4 year old and a shy husband (camera shyness runs in the family, I regret to say), but the photos looked natural! It brought out my son’s cheeky personality and showed us as we would normally interact as a family. I had a great time during the photoshoot. My son and husband did too. Thank you!”
Celeste Fisher
Trinity Church event

I hired the portrait studio for my brothers 50th birthday party and I couldnt have been happier with the results. Richard and his assistant arrived and within minutes set up a mini studio where the guests could go and have some fun pictures taken. Even those who were initially very camera shy were made to feel comfortable and relaxed. I wouldn’t hesitate in hiring Richard Stanley again for any event in the future and thank him again for providing such a fun and enjoyable experience for everyone
Karen Dean

Richard popped up with his intriguing Popup Portrait Sideshow proposal for the community-led Wood Street Market events in 2013. He captured portraits of folks visiting the events & put together his original photography in an exhibition at a special Wood Street Artwalk event to showcase his work. Richard has a professional approach to setting up for events, has a natural ability to put people at their ease, is fun to work with & has the creative flair to produce high quality, original and stunning photos. Highly recommended!
Sarah White

I really enjoyed my photo session with The Portrait Sideshow at the Wood Street Market event at Merchant Gate in December 2014. This was the first time I’d done anything like this but Richard made it great fun. More importantly, the results were terrific!
Kevin Trickett,
President,
Wakefield Civic Society,

I felt very comfortable having these photo’s taken as I usually take an awful photo. The proof of how good Richard is with a camera is in my portraits.
Many Thanks
Dorothy Pettit

We have employed the Portrait Sideshow on several occasions at events at Wakefield Cathedral. We have always been completely satisfied with the easy manner in which Richard and his staff deal with artists and the public and have been very impressed with the quality of the work.
Ali Bullivent

I went to the Merchant Gate market on a whim and went to see Richard, who was recommended to me by my friend.  Her hubby hates his photo taken as do I, but Richard had made him feel so at ease and the resultant photos were amazing….really capturing both their personalities.  So I , reluctantly at first, said yes to my photo being taken with my 3 year old.  It was a great experience and didn’t feel like I was posing.  I loved the photos which made great Christmas presents .  I would thoroughly recommend Richard for any event to take photos.
Helen Field-Andrews

You made each of our portraits unique to us, and spent a lot of time with everyone; not rushing through the photographs, even though there were a lot of us to go through. You were patient, especially with the group shots, and I think you brought out the best in us!
Anne Ryan

The great thing about having a portrait taken at our event is that everybody was put totally at ease by Rich. We got some really natural shots that captured the personalities of our team members and the atmosphere of the event; he even managed to make the least photogenic of us look great!
Mike Bell