Back in March I came across the opportunity to be photographed by probably my favourite photographer, Rankin.

He was doing a shoot at the Other Art Fair in London’s Brick Lane where you could book your 15 minute slot to be photographed by the man himself.

Too good an opportunity to pass up but it also meant I’d have to be on the other side of the camera for once. Do I need a haircut? What should I wear? What are the photos for? What if I don’t like the images? What if I look like an idiot?

The shoe was firmly on the other foot but dry-mouthed and gibbering I introduced myself to Rankin who was, as you’d hope, a total star. I explained I was a photographer and we chatted about the sort of images I was after.

We did some standard-ish headshots, with and without a camera as a prop. When we previewed them he said I reminded him of Daniel Craig - you can see why I like him! - and also a younger John Lydon!

I’d had a few thoughts about a longer shot which was a bit more engaging into the frame than a normal headshot. We tried out a few ideas and when we previewed it we both went ‘yes, that’s the one’.

Five years ago I produced a book called Tring People - Portraits of a Town and I brought one with me to give to Rankin as a gift. So generous with his time he spent a few minutes looking through it and asking how the project came about before insisting I sign it for him. What? Really?!

I came out with a fantastic image which I totally love and had a great experience.

So should you meet your idols? Definitely!