A Love letter from Christian

Being asked to to collaborate on documenting Sam Smith and Christian Cowans 2026 Met Gala looks was not only exciting and an absolute honour, it was also an exercise in translating vision into timeless imagery. Working closely alongside Sam’s creative team, my goal was to take their initial mood boards and conceptual direction and bring them to life through my lens.

Preparation & The Creative Approach

To prepare for the fast-paced energy of the day, I started by sketching out poses and ideas before even stepping onto set, a personal ritual that helps me get into the right headspace and map out the narrative flow.

Early in the process, I advised on using soft, natural light to complement the mood board's romantic aesthetic. However, given the fast-paced nature of a Met Gala prep day, we opted for a controlled studio setup engineered to perfectly mimic the quality of natural daylight. This allowed us to maintain a romantic, organic atmosphere continuously throughout the day without being at the mercy of shifting sun.

Direction, Design & The Final Collection

The creative direction for this shoot was absolutely spot on. Beyond capturing Sam, this was a celebration of the immense craftsmanship and artistry behind the looks created by Sam's partner, the incredibly talented designer Christian Cowan, including the breathtaking headpiece designed in partnership with master milliner Stephen Jones.

On set, I directed Sam to draw out fluid, authentic movements that matched the narrative of the design. Together, the team and I created a comprehensive body of work documenting both Sam and Christian that feels worthy of a museum of fine arts catalog or coffee table book, a lasting tribute to the high-end conceptual vision and the unbelievable work that went into every detail.

Look: Christian Cowan

Head piece: Christian Cowan x Stephen Jones

Art Direction: Mitch Crook

Photography: Greg Bailey

First Assistant: Isaac Schell

Digi Tech: Bob Wagoner

Shot at: Pier 59 Studios