The Polaroid Portrait Session with Miles Aldridge

Name: The Polaroid Portrait Session with Miles Aldridge
Brand: Miles Aldridge
Price: 350.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

£350

Sale Sold out

Taxes included.

Widely recognised for his distinctive approach to Polaroid photography, as celebrated in his two books on the subject 'Please return Polaroid' (Steidl 2016) and 'Please Please return Polaroid' (Steidl 2023), Miles Aldridge is offering a limited number of private Polaroid portrait sessions at his London studio.

In this rare opportunity, sitters are invited into the artist’s London studio for a private hour-long Polaroid portrait session.

The studio is set up like a surreal and saturated photo booth with a selection of strange and iconic props from Miles' colourful universe: classic movie popcorn, bright yellow fried eggs, feather boas, retro telephones, oversized glasses in all the colours of the rainbow and more.

Sitters are also invited to bring personal items, contributing to a visual language that is both familiar and theatrical.

After the session, Miles will edit a selection of his favourite Polaroids and sign them for you. These can be professionally framed as singles, diptychs, triptychs etc.

You'll also be free to explore the studio which houses a large selection of Miles' artworks including prints, contact sheets, drawings, rare books and Polaroids.

These sessions are private and for a limited time only, arrangeable at a time and date of your choosing.

View full details

Sir Elton John by Miles Aldridge for TIME Magazine Icon of the Year, 2024

15 Minutes of Fame is my ongoing series of Polaroid portraits, a democratic mix of public figures and ‘complete unknowns’.

Each sitter steps into my studio, where they’re photographed against a pleated orange backdrop, under theatrical lighting, with a curated selection of props from my universe: telephones, popcorn, cocktail glasses...

The idea came after I photographed Elton John for TIME’s Icon of the Year cover. That shoot, staged like a set of photobooth snapshots, got me thinking: what happens when anyone, not just a celebrity, is given their moment in the spotlight?

Over the course of fifteen minutes, I work spontaneously with each sitter to create a fictional version of themselves, one that often ends up feeling more convincing than their true self. There’s an alchemy in that brief performance, where myth and truth blur.

At its core, 15 Minutes of Fame is about how people want to be seen, and who they become when they’re given permission. More often than not, the version they leave with is closer to the truth than the one they arrived with.

— Miles Aldridge

Polaroid Portrait FAQs

Where is the portrait session held?

All portrait sessions will be held in our London Studio, near Kings Cross.

How do I schedule my portrait?

Please use the button above to select a time and date. If your preferred date isn't available, please email studio@milesaldridge.com and we will do our best to accommodate.

How many people can be in my portrait?

The sessions are available for individuals or groups of up to five people (or a well-behaved pet!)

Will there be props?

A selection of Miles’ iconic props will be available to use, such as skulls, coloured telephones, cocktails, and popcorn. You are also welcome to bring personal items as props.