Author Portrait of the Poet Dr Dannie Abse

A few months ago I had the pleasure of photographing the Welsh poet, Dr Dannie Abse’s portrait. I know Dannie from when I worked with the literary agent Robert Kirby at United Agents. Dannie turns 90 next month, so as a birthday present I wanted to take his portrait. Dannie still lives in his family home in Golders Green, North London. We had tea and biscuits (Dannie insisted I had at least two) whilst I took his photograph. I wanted to be as unobtrusive as possible so I shot using my 50mm, just natural light and didn’t ask Dannie to pose throughout. He has had an absolutely amazing life and is mid-story in most of these shots. After tea he showed me old photographs in his study, read me a poem about his wife Joan (who tragically died in a car accident in 2005) and even made me recite one of his poems to him. A stressful yet humbling experience (he didn’t pass comment on my reading!). I was sent away with a book of poems to read on the way home.

Dannie’s latest book of poems SPEAK, OLD PARROT, published by Random House is out now.