Lighting the Path to Iconic Portraits: Andy Gotts and His Elinchrom Journey

When I first started on my path as a ‘celebrity photographer’ 34 years ago, I was fascinated with how artists like Rembrandt and Caravaggio manipulated light, treating shadows with as much reverence as light itself. This inspired me to replicate the depth in my photographic portraits.

My Elinchrom love-in started roughly 30 years ago and I have been faithful to the brand ever since.  In the early days, I relied on Bowen’s Silvers for lighting, primarily because they were the tools I had become familiar with during my college years. These lights served me well in the studio. However, as my career evolved and commissions increasingly took me to the homes of celebrities, the bulkiness and weight of the Silvers became impractical.

A serendipitous encounter with Elinchrom marked a turning point in my career. They had developed a new studio flash that was smaller and lighter, designed specifically for the photographer to manipulate the shadow. I bought into the Elinchrom dream and got myself a set. The lights where as good as the promise that they would be. They were user-friendly, reliable, and provided a depth and nuance to shadows that enhanced the features of my subjects. The ability to soften shadows while maintaining their richness was particularly appealing.

“Ringo Starr once called me “the Ansel Adams of faces,” a testament to the quality of light that Elinchrom flashes bring to my work.”

My style of photography is quite unique as I do not edit my portraits, and I rely heavily on crafting the perfect image through lighting and feel; so when my shutter is pressed, I have the finished image in my camera that is ready to print. Ringo Starr once called me “the Ansel Adams of faces,” a testament to the quality of light that Elinchrom flashes bring to my work.

In addition, something else that I adore with Elinchrom, is the plethora of lighting modifiers that you can use. My go-to modifiers include the Rotalux Deep Octa Indirect, translucent umbrellas, softboxes, and small reflectors. While I have my favorites, experimenting with various modifiers has been a creative adventure, each offering new possibilities for my portraits.

Having my plug in studio flashes have been a delight over the years, but the advent of the Elinchrom FIVE has been a game changer. This battery-operated studio flash retains all the advantages of a plug-in unit while offering unprecedented flexibility. Especially when travelling to other countries and locations where I also panic a little wondering if there will be a power socket nearby. With the FIVE, I can focus entirely on the creative process, ensuring that the aesthetic vision is never compromised by practical constraints.

“With the FIVE, I can focus entirely on the creative process, ensuring that the aesthetic vision is never compromised by practical constraints.”

Balancing the artistic and technical elements in photography is crucial, and for me, the aesthetic takes precedence. When viewers look at a photograph or painting, they don’t ask about the lighting or camera used; they care about the subject matter. This is why I adore Elinchrom lighting. From the moment I started using these flashes, I tailored them to my style, known for capturing the rawness and honesty in the faces that sit before me. Mastering the setup of my lighting kit to mimic my unique style allows me to operate on autopilot, confidently relying on Elinchrom flashes to deliver the exact results I need. This enables me to devote all my time and skill to interacting with my subjects, knowing that the Elinchrom flashes will freeze the moments I create.

I take immense pride in my Elinchrom equipment and the creative freedom it affords me. I am excited to continue capturing magic, knowing that with Elinchrom by my side, the possibilities are limitless.