Photographer Greg Brennan has captured Kate Moss numerous times over the years, but one particular image from 2007 became infamous. The shot, taken at the Donmar Warehouse theatre, shows Moss sitting on the stairs, with a certain 'fallen angel quality' that has captivated audiences. However, Brennan insists the tabloid portrayal of Moss as a drunken party girl is far from the truth.
The Night of the Photo
Brennan was initially asked to cover Moss's 33rd birthday party at the Dorchester hotel. He then received a call that Moss was watching a matinee at the Donmar Warehouse with Rhys Ifans. Arriving to find 200-250 people surrounding the front entrance, Brennan realized getting a good shot would be difficult. He decided to check the back door, where he had previously photographed Nicole Kidman. To his surprise, the door was open, and Moss was sitting on the stairs with Pete Doherty nearby.
'She looked at me, recognised me because I’ve been photographing her for many years. I started taking the picture. She didn’t react, didn’t say anything,' Brennan recalls. As Moss exited, he opened the car door for her, allowing her to escape the approaching horde of photographers. 'It sounded like a stampede of horses, 200 guys flying around the corner. They realised they’d been tricked but she was able to take off.'
The Aftermath
Brennan didn't shoot the party, instead going home by 7.30pm. He edited six images and sent them to newspapers. The next morning, he was surprised to find his picture on every front page. The tabloids ran with 'Party girl Kate' stories, but Brennan clarifies: 'It was 6.30pm in the evening. If Kate was falling out the door that night blind drunk, it’s not a picture that I’d particularly want to take. I prefer glamorous Kate.'
The Image's Legacy
The photo remains popular, especially among women aged 16 to 50. Many young women view Moss as an icon, and the image captures her at the peak of her career. A Vogue photographer described it as 'a cross between a ballerina and Janis Joplin,' which Brennan finds fitting. Despite its fame, Brennan's personal favourite from that night is a shot of Moss walking towards him with her hair blowing in the wind.
Changes in Celebrity Photography
Brennan has been in celebrity photography for 37 years and notes significant changes. He preferred the 1990s, with fewer photographers and a hands-on process of developing his own pictures. 'Social media has changed an awful lot. It’s easier for celebrities to promote themselves whereas in the 90s, we were that social media for them.' He still finds celebrities receptive at events like film premieres, but emphasises the importance of respect. 'I’m not going to turn up at their front door two days later. It becomes harassment at that point.'
The Big Shot: Photographs by Greg Brennan is published by ACC Art Books.
