Q

Mary McCartney 'slightly voyeuristic, slightly personal' photography

Mary McCartney, photographer and daughter of Paul McCartney, discusses her approach to capturing celebrities in her own distinct way.
(Mary McCartney )

Mary McCartney has seen both sides of celebrity. As the daughter of a Beatle, there was no real way of escaping it. In fact, if you look at the cover of Paul McCartney's first solo album, you can see baby Mary peeking out from behind Paul's jacket. 

But in adult life, Mary moved from being in front of the lens to behind the camera, becoming a professional photographer like her mother, Linda. In her work, Mary has captured celebrity in her own distinct way. She has photographed Lou Reed, Eric Clapton, Helen Mirren, Kate Moss, Rihanna and Tilda Swinton, and she often captures her subjects in more natural, unguarded moments. 

An exhibit of Mary McCartney's work, called Undoneopens today in Toronto. Ahead of that, she dropped by q to discuss her photography and that very famous surname. 

Baskstage, London, 2014, from Mary McCartney's photography exhibit, Undone, now at Toronto's Izzy Gallery. (Mary McCartney)
Kate Kate Kate, from Mary McCartney's photography exhibit, Undone, now at Toronto's Izzy Gallery. (Mary McCartney)
Lacing, from Mary McCartney's photography exhibit, Undone, now at Toronto's Izzy Gallery. (Mary McCartney)
Fox, from Mary McCartney's photography exhibit, Undone, now at Toronto's Izzy Gallery. (Mary McCartney)
Misty Forest, from Mary McCartney's photography exhibit, Undone, now at Toronto's Izzy Gallery. (Mary McCartney)

— Produced by Ben Edwards