Exclusive: Inside London's Passport Photo Service Celebrity Archive
In an extraordinary revelation, a new book titled Passport Photo Service: An Unexpected Archive of Celebrity Portraits unveils 300 never-before-seen images of celebrities from the archives of a London photo shop. This collection features iconic figures ranging from Mick Jagger to Arnold Schwarzenegger, offering a unique glimpse into a hidden world of celebrity portraiture.
The Origins of a Photographic Institution
The story begins in 1953 when David Sharkey, a former East End boxer, had a lightbulb moment after overhearing an angry American complain about being unable to get a passport photo in time for a flight. David, who had honed his photographic skills since the late 1940s by selling his ration books to buy a Leica camera and working as a smudge snapping tourists in Trafalgar Square, spotted a gap in the market. He quickly established Express Photos on Oxford Street, later moving in 1957 to number 449 under the new name, Passport Photo Service.
Strategically located opposite Selfridges and within a minute's walk of the US, Canadian, and Japanese embassies, the prime site attracted a steady stream of customers seeking passport photos, visas, and green cards. The business operated as a family venture for 66 years, finally closing in 2019, during which time it served over 800 celebrities from stage, screen, and sport.
A Family Affair and Celebrity Clientele
David made the venture a family affair, with his wife Ann, a former professional dancer, serving as receptionist, and her brother Peter joining at age 15. Their son, Philip Sharkey, entered the family firm at 16 in 1973 and has now authored the book featuring these rare images. As the first photo service in London to promise ready in 10 minutes, they used sandwich board men to advertise on Oxford Street in all weathers, never missing a day of trading, even after an IRA bombed Selfridges in December 1974.
Philip, now 68, recalls the shop's wall of fame, where framed celebrity images often drew disbelief from customers. One memorable encounter involved a customer questioning the authenticity of photos featuring Muhammad Ali, Joan Collins, and others, only to be casually reassured by Ava Gardner, who remarked, everybody needs a passport, so they have to have somewhere to go to be photographed.
Notable Moments and Tragic Tales
The archive includes poignant and thought-provoking images, such as the passport photo of Nancy Spungen, taken on August 10, 1978. The girlfriend of Sex Pistols star Sid Vicious, she was tragically found dead two months later at age 20. Philip suggested she remove a badge reading I'm a McLaren puppet for the photo, adding a layer of historical significance to the image.
Among the most memorable clients was Muhammad Ali in 1974, who stopped by on his way to fight George Foreman in The Rumble in the Jungle. After flying into Britain without a passport, Ali needed one urgently and delighted former boxer David with his visit. He autographed prints for customers in the queue and humorously suggested the shop replace all wall photos with just his image, declaring, I am the greatest!
The Decline and Legacy
The studio moved to new premises in 2014, but business faded, leading to its closure in 2019 after the US embassy relocated across the Thames to Nine Elms, which Philip describes as the final nail in the coffin. However, his book ensures the studio's legacy lives on, with Stephen Fry praising it as a wonderfully produced memoir that vividly brings back a vanished time in London.
The collection also features stars like Madonna, Angelina Jolie, Sean Connery, and Uri Geller, who famously bent the studio's only spoon during a visit. This archive not only showcases celebrity portraits but also serves as a social history, capturing moments from a bygone era in the heart of London.
