A treasure trove of never-before-seen celebrity passport photos has been unveiled for the first time in a new book. Passport Photo Service: An Unexpected Archive of Celebrity Portraits features more than 300 headshots snapped over decades inside a London studio that quietly became an unexpected stop for the rich and famous.
The Collection and Its Origins
The collection was assembled by Philip Sharkey, son of photographer David Sharkey, who founded the Passport Photo Service on London's bustling Oxford Street in 1953. Thanks to the studio's prime location near the American Embassy, Hollywood stars, music royalty and global icons – including Shania Twain, Errol Flynn, Muhammad Ali, and Ringo Starr – would come in for last-minute snaps before flights.
The images of the studio's most famous faces were featured on the wall for customers to marvel at as they waited for their turn to pose. But now, for the first time ever, these intimate portraits are being shared publicly, along with touching stories from the man who took them.
Memorable Celebrity Encounters
Among the most memorable names featured are Woody Allen, Joan Collins, and Madonna. Recalling Allen's visit to the studio around the release of his 1980 film Stardust Memories, Sharkey said the director appeared less than thrilled to be there. 'When customers who are so recognizable look a bit cheesed off at having to dash from the embassy to have their picture taken and then rush back, I always think it best to leave them be,' he wrote. The frosty encounter only became more notable when it came time for Allen to pay. 'He didn't seem to understand the value of UK currency and just thrust some notes at me, which I carefully picked out, giving him a rough conversion rate. He didn't seem too bothered by that.'
Allen wasn't the only aloof A-lister to enter the studio, with Van Morrison ignoring Sharkey's uncle Peter when he told him that he had purchased tickets to see him in concert. In stark contrast, Sharkey described Dynasty diva Collins as a complete charmer who was fully aware of the effect she had on his small studio and its customers. 'When Joan Collins walked into the studio to be photographed for a third time in July 1988, she was at the peak of her fame,' he recalled. 'She had been in a few times before with her children, but Dynasty was now a huge television series. The customers who were waiting sat open-mouthed as she said to us, "Darlings, how are you? It is so nice to see you all again," before telling the stunned onlookers, "I never go anywhere else for my passport photos."' He also revealed that Collins had the perfect pose downpat, describing it as 'on a very slight angle to the left'.
Meanwhile, 'Queen of Funk' Chaka Khan earned rave reviews from the photographer, who described her as 'a delight to photograph' with 'a happy, natural smile'.
Exclusive Sessions and Studio Closure
But not every celebrity was willing to risk a public outing to the Oxford Street studio. When Madonna needed new passport pictures taken, Sharkey instead travelled to Home House – the ultra-exclusive private members club where the superstar was staying with then-husband Guy Ritchie while their home was undergoing renovations. 'They had just put their children to bed and sat themselves down unceremoniously on some flight cases for their portraits,' he remembered. Sharkey added that he also photographed several of Madonna's children during separate visits to the studio with their nanny.
Passport Photo Service remained in operation until 2019. The coffee table book, which was released on April 15 and is designed to look like a passport wallet, also features portraits of Mick Jagger, Kate Winslet, Little Richard, George Michael, Bill Murray, Roy Orbison, Katy Perry, and many more.
