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.
2 July 2020 • Mark Westall
Rankin has created powerful and personal portraits of doctors, nurses and other NHS staff who responded to the COVID-19 to celebrate the NHS anniversary.
3 February 2020 • Mark Westall
Rankin says:
“When I first met my wife Tuuli, she literally took my breath away. But when I look at relationships in this new digital world, everything feels so solitary and at arm’s-length or, even worse, based on algorithms. I wanted to explore the ideas of romance and love in a positive and upbeat way. Where interaction and feelings are as important as swiping right or likes.”
13 September 2019 • Stephanie Talbot
WHAT: On the eve of London Fashion Week, creative maverick Rankin hosted a ‘New Season’ party for friends, colleagues and the… Read More
20 August 2018 • Mark Westall
‘Mickey: The True Original Exhibition,’ an interactive art exhibit to open in New York in honour of the 90th anniversary of Mickey Mouse.
19 July 2018 • Mark Westall
Artist and creative Graham Fink has collaborated with Shanghai fashion designer Ziggy Chen on the new collection’s visual identity that references dualities within people and place. Celebrating the nuances of individuality and community, the project will be on display at Rankin’s Annroy Gallery
12 May 2016 • Mark Westall
Photo London, the major international photography fair, will open next week in London
11 December 2014 • Mark Westall
Rankin teams up with Hunger’s very own visionary Beauty-Editor-At-Large Andrew Gallimore by Rankin. As the UK’s first ambassador for Dior,… Read More
5 September 2014 • Mark Westall
Paloma Faith launches an art collaboration with Talenthouse today.
18 August 2014 • Mark Westall
FEATURE: 15 Things you didn’t know about Cult novel and soundtrack TRIP CITY
8 January 2014 • Mark Westall
Museums at Night 2014 shortlist announced
30 June 2013 • Mark Westall
The Body & Soul : Life in my Shoes exhibition challenges public perceptions of life with HIV and features Rankin’s photographs of celebrities alongside portraits by Suki Dhanda of young people living with HIV. It takes place at Riverside Walkway on London’s South Bank until 5 July
21 October 2012 • Mark Westall
Beauty unlocks its creative possibilities as the annual art and fashion collective
_HOUSE OF_ unveils its fourth year inside the pages of Rankin’s HUNGER Magazine.
17 April 2012 • Mark Westall
RANKIN Contains Nudity
13 November 2011 • Rachel Bennett
Somerset House is currently hosting Making It Up As We Go Along, an exhibition celebrating 20 years of Dazed &… Read More
3 October 2011 • Mark Westall
Long-term friends, Rankin and artist Damien Hirst, leverage their respective creative mediums and shared dark wit in a project born… Read More
15 September 2011 • Mark Westall
Lee Baker, Adam Ball, Peter Blake,Billy Childish, D*Face, Brian Adam Douglas, Elizabeth Eamer,Ben Eine, Tracey Emin, Faile, Shepard Fairey
Katrin Fridriks, Christopher Gascoigne, Pam Glew, Haroshi,Pieter Henket,
Damien Hirst, Jeremy Kost, Joseph Loughborough,James Marshall, Harland Miller, Polly Morgan, Gérard Rancinan, Rankin, Stuart Semple
Jamel Shabazz, Benjamin Shine, Gavin Turk, Dan Witz, Russell Young
4 June 2010 • Mark Westall
‘I should get the Rankin book because…’ Send Your Answer to mark@fademail.com putting RANKIN in the header The winner willl… Read More
9 March 2010 • Mark Westall
Photographer and co-founder of Dazed and Confused, Rankin, will exhibit a look over his photographs, inparticular his iconic nudes. Rankin… Read More
30 July 2009 • Mark Westall
RANKIN Britain under one lens- From catwalk to Congo, Rankin has produced an enormous and diverse body of work. This first ever retrospective of his twenty-two year career,
7 April 2009 • Mark Westall
For the inaugural ‘Little Piece of Mind’ project, Marque has briefed and commissioned Julie Floersch – one of the world’s… Read More
