Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach Portrait Sitting

Royal AirforceBritish MilitaryChief of the Defence Staff

Mar 16

Captured for the Heroes in Focus Archive
London, Ministry of Defence – 16 March 2015

Sir Stuart Peach is a veteran airman whose remarkable 38-year career in the Royal Air Force saw him rise to the rank of Air Chief Marshal. His service embodies leadership, precision, and an enduring commitment to the defence of the realm.

Even though I’m a professional photographer, I will forever be a historian at heart. Over the years, I’ve learned to marry my passion with my profession—combining a love of history with the craft of portraiture. When I am tasked with private sittings for politicians, military leaders, or other figures of distinction, I look back to the great masters for guidance. The works of Holbein, Dürer, da Vinci, and Gros—alongside the timeless photographic studies of Yousuf Karsh—remain constant points of inspiration.

My aim is simple: to produce portraits that future historians may one day use to understand the spirit and character of those who shaped our age.

My sitting with Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a portrait steeped in both power and history. Conducted in the Ministry of Defence building in Whitehall, the setting itself carried the weight of national service. Dressed in full RAF uniform, Sir Stuart faced the lens with a steady gaze—his posture measured, his expression resolute. The resulting image demands respect, reflecting a man who has spent a lifetime in command and service.

Each portrait in the Heroes in Focus archive seeks to honour the individuals who have dedicated their lives to leadership, duty, and the preservation of history. Sir Stuart Peach stands proudly among them.

Royal Air ForceSir Stuart PeachChief of The Defence StaffKosovoOperation JuralBritish Military

RORY LEWIS

Winner of the Portrait of Britain in 2017 and 2018. Lewis is a dedicated portrait photographer who has spent over a decade capturing many of the world’s most recognised faces. Sitters have included the likes of William Shatner, David Cameron, Sir Derek Jacobi, Iain Glen and Natalie Dormer. Rory’s images have been exhibited on both sides of the Atlantic, and several of his iconic portraits have been acquired by the National Portrait Gallery in London. His recent project, ‘Soldiery’, which documented the British Army of the 21st Century, was completed over a two year period and has been hailed as a national success story, named by the BBC as ‘The changing face of the British Army’. Rory divides his time between London and Los Angeles, working with a wide variety of clients. In addition to his projects and private portraits, his photography has been commissioned by Pepsi, Universal, the British Army, The Times, The Guardian and Cancer Research UK, among others. Rory draws immense inspiration from the masters of art including Hans Holbein the Younger, Titian, Caravaggio and Jusepe de Ribera.

http://www.rorylewis.studio

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach Portrait Sitting

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