Honoring Leadership: Portrait Sitting with Lieutenant General James Bashall

Written By RORY LEWIS

Lieutenant General James Bashall CBE Portrait Sitting Rory Lewis Photographer, Copyright © Heroes in Focus Foundation 2025

The Heroes in Focus Foundation was privileged to sponsor a portrait sitting for Lieutenant General James Bashall CBE, a distinguished leader in the British Army. Conducted at his headquarters in Aldershot, this session captured the essence of a man whose storied career reflects unwavering dedication to service and command excellence.

Lieutenant General Bashall is a towering figure, both in stature and reputation. As a hero of the Iraq War, he commanded the 1st Mechanised Brigade in Basra in 2007, leading with courage and distinction. Earlier in his career, he commanded the 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment ("2 Para") in Afghanistan, earning him recognition as one of the British Army’s most experienced combat commanders. Proud of his service with the Parachute Regiment, Lieutenant General Bashall’s military achievements speak volumes about his leadership and commitment.

For this portrait, I directed him into a side-on pose that elegantly highlighted his paratrooper wings, a symbol of his remarkable journey. A low-angle perspective was chosen to emphasize his pride, duty, and the formidable presence that defines his leadership. This approach created a powerful visual narrative that resonates with his legacy.

Born from the foundation’s mission to honor military service, this session was not just a photoshoot but an opportunity to preserve a significant chapter in British military history. Lieutenant General Bashall’s career spans pivotal deployments, including his command roles in Iraq and Afghanistan, a Noncombatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) in Libya alongside the Special Air Service in 2011, and his current role as Commander of Personnel and Support Command. His insights on multi-national operations, cultural complexities, and the challenges of sustained conflict underscore the depth of his experience.

Through the Heroes in Focus Foundation, this portrait contributes to a broader mission: to celebrate the stories of those who have dedicated their lives to service. It ensures that their achievements are honored and their legacies preserved for future generations. Lieutenant General James Bashall CBE’s portrait is a testament to leadership, sacrifice, and the enduring values of the armed forces.

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
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Honoring Service: Portraits at the National Defense University