Is it the Queen of Pop or the Real Queen that was the most difficult to photograph? According to the man who photographed Madonna and British monarchs, it is no contest.

  • Rankin snapped the stars of Kate Moss and Mick Jagger, including David Bowie and David Bowie. 
  • Madonna was, according to him, the scariest assignment.   
  • His famous Buckingham Palace assignment captured his regal smiles and laughter.










The Queen of Pop was scarier to photograph than Elizabeth II herself, the celebrity cameraman Rankin has revealed.

He reflected on the three decades of his work behind the camera and said that Madonna was “more terrifying” than Queen Elizabeth II.

Rankin has photographed stars including Kate Moss, David Bowie, Mick Jagger and Britney Spears over the years, but said there were two defining photoshoots – one with Madonna for Q magazine in 1999 and the other with the Queen to mark her Golden Jubilee three years later.

He told The Mail that he believes he’s always waited for the shot that would make him happy. 

As for the assignment at Buckingham Palace, he famously captured a regal smile and laugh

For the Buckingham Palace assignment, he captured a famous smile and laugh.

“But photographing Madonna is a huge deal, because she was so popular in the 1980s & 1990s.

“I had the opportunity to capture her in 1999, and it was an amazing experience. The Queen was then photographed. When someone tries to convince you of a job, they will ask “Who was he photographing?”If you are ever asked if anyone is trying to get you a job in America, then answer “The Queen”.

You can’t beat the Queen. Also, this is an excellent picture of Queen Elizabeth, so it’s definitely not fake. It was most likely the one that people said, “He is a good photographer.” ‘

But the 55-year-old – real name John Rankin Waddell – admitted that Madonna was ‘definitely’ the more frightening of the assignments, adding: ‘Back then, she really scared me, I was only 33 and thinking back now, that’s a baby.

She said, “When she entered the studio, I chose you because your people make it seem like they are having fun.” Please make it a fun time.

“It was like I’m a professional photographer.

The 55-year-old ¿ real name John Rankin Waddell ¿ admitted that Madonna was 'definitely' the more frightening of the assignments

The 55-year-old – real name John Rankin Waddell – admitted that Madonna was ‘definitely’ the more frightening of the assignments

“But she was amazing. Madonna was Madonna. Because she was lucky, she isn’t Madonna. 

Rankin recalled the Buckingham Palace assignment where he captured a regal laugh and smile.

They really care about making sure you don’t feel uncomfortable in such a situation.

Rankin hails from Paisley, Scotland. He started his career in 1991 when Dazed And Confused magazine was launched. After the 1993 release of Bjork’s portrait, Rankin became one of Britain’s most sought-after photographers.

Performance is his latest exhibition and book. It features photos of 156 West End theater actors, such as Rory Kinnear and Andrew Lloyd Webber. 

All proceeds will be donated to Theatre Artists Fund, the Theatre Artists Fund, the Theatre Artists Fund, the Youth Homeless Charities Depaul, Centrepoint, Centrepoint, New Horizons Youth Centre.

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