
Free Rankin exhibition at Battersea Power Station
13 September 2025 • Mark Westall
On Board with Rankin brings a fresh lens to the world of cruising, charting its transformation through a series of portraits and moments.
John Rankin Waddell, born in 1966, is a renowned British photographer and director celebrated for his iconic portraits of cultural icons like Björk, Kate Moss, Madonna, David Bowie, and even Queen Elizabeth II.
His distinctive style, described by the London Evening Standard as “high-gloss, highly sexed, and hyper-perfect,” has left an indelible mark on fashion and portrait photography.
Beyond photography, Rankin has ventured into directing, showcasing his creative vision through music videos, documentaries, a feature film, short films, and commercials.
Early Life & Education: Originally from Glasgow, Rankin spent his formative years in Yorkshire before settling in St Albans. Despite an early stint in accounting at Brighton Polytechnic, his passion for photography led him to pursue studies at Barnfield College in Luton and later the London College of Printing. Though he didn’t complete his formal education, Rankin’s journey laid the foundation for his illustrious career behind the lens.

13 September 2025 • Mark Westall
On Board with Rankin brings a fresh lens to the world of cruising, charting its transformation through a series of portraits and moments.

25 August 2025 • Mark Westall
This August Bank Holiday weekend, Side will unveil 50×50, a print sale that offers the public a chance to acquire affordable, high quality, photographs

28 July 2025 • Mark Westall
The irreverent, unforgettable Art Car Boot Fair is back for 2025

27 June 2025 • Mark Westall
Hunger Magazine to host Back to Reality, an exhibition and party at the legendary Annroy Gallery

5 May 2025 • Mark Westall
I’m interrogating the future; visually, culturally, ethically. FAIK and FAIK OFF are my love letters and hate mail to AI

30 October 2024 • Mark Westall
I had this realisation that photogrammetry and 3D sculpture offered a way to kick my work up a gear.

9 October 2024 • Mark Westall
The Other Art Fair, presented by Saatchi Art, celebrates its 100th edition this week with over 200 independent artists showcasing… Read More

6 October 2024 • Mark Westall
The Other Art Fair will open its 100th edition in London this week and will celebrate over a decade of supporting emerging and independent artists.

3 August 2024 • Mark Westall
A groundbreaking exhibition utilising the power of art to help improve the nation’s understanding of homelessness and inspire optimism that it can be ended.

28 May 2024 • Mark Westall
From cult celebrities to musical icons and the world’s top Supermodels, Rankin was at the forefront of Cool Britannia and the 90’s style which is still popular today.
17 May 2024 • Mark Westall
The winners of the Fourth Plinth Schools Awards 2024 were announced today, with the winning artwork on display at an… Read More

9 March 2024 • Mark Westall
Rankin caught up with Jude Quinn, Senior Specialist, Photographs at Christie’s to talk about his new exhibition ‘SOUND OFF’ a… Read More

2 February 2024 • Mark Westall
Responsible for some of the most iconic editorial shoots and album artwork of the 1990s and 2000s, Rankin has photographed… Read More

27 January 2024 • Mark Westall
Launched by British photographer Rankin, SWAG is a new concept in photography collecting by celebrating the visual through print and… Read More

12 December 2023 • Mark Westall
At the beginning of next year, a new exhibition at Bethlem Museum of the Mind will showcase Alison Lapper’s (b.1965)… Read More

5 December 2023 • Mark Westall
George and The Caring Family Foundation celebrates “Dogs with Jobs” by RANKIN at Saatchi Gallery in partnership with The Kennel… Read More

8 November 2023 • Mark Westall
The RankinLIVE experience is coming to Carnaby Street for Christmas and you can get your own Rankin photoshoot & portrait for just £500.

24 July 2023 • Mark Westall
One of the gorilla sculptures and amazing flower-covered gorilla was created by Rankin and FAD managed to grab a few words with him about the project.

24 May 2023 • Mark Westall
The exhibition Rankin – Zeitsprünge (Leaps in time) will open at the Ernst Leitz Museum Wetzlar offering a fascinating and unexpected insight into Rankin’s exceptional oeuvre.

4 May 2023 • Mark Westall
Photo London 2023 opens next week from Wednesday 10th May and 29 Arts in Progress Gallery has a great lineup of photographers

9 February 2023 • Mark Westall
Saatchi Art’s The Other Art Fair returns to The Truman Brewery this March, with yet another dynamic, art filled line-up. This year the Fair welcomes exclusive guest artist Rankin

29 September 2022 • Mark Westall
The artworks include specially created pieces by British artists and celebrities including Boy George, Rankin, Ben Okri and Rosemary Clunie… Read More

2 June 2022 • Mark Westall
RANKIN CREATIVE has launched an online community project spotlighting unfair censorship by using its resources to re-platform those who’ve been unfairly silenced online.

5 April 2022 • Mark Westall
The next generation of graduate photographers whose final shows were disrupted due to Covid-19 will showcase their work at VISUAL NOISE – the first art fair dedicated solely to the nation’s emerging
photography talent.