A remarkable collection of rare celebrity passport photos has been revealed in a new book, offering fans an intimate glimpse of some of the world’s biggest stars long before the age of social media.
Titled Passport Photo Service: An Unexpected Archive of Celebrity Portraits, the release showcases more than 300 portraits captured over several decades inside a modest London photo studio that unexpectedly became a favorite stop for celebrities.
The archive was curated by Philip Sharkey, whose father, photographer David Sharkey, opened the Passport Photo Service on Oxford Street in 1953. Thanks to its location near the American Embassy, the studio regularly welcomed famous faces rushing to renew travel documents before international flights.
Over the years, stars including Mick Jagger, Joan Collins, Ava Gardner, Shania Twain, Muhammad Ali, and Ringo Starr stopped by the tiny studio for quick portraits. Their images were often displayed on the walls for waiting customers to admire.
Now, many of those candid photographs are being published publicly for the first time, accompanied by behind-the-scenes stories from the photographer himself.
Among the standout anecdotes is Woody Allen’s visit around the release of Stardust Memories. Sharkey recalled the director appearing impatient during the rushed passport appointment and later seeming confused by British currency when paying for the photos.
Not every star was warm and chatty, either. According to Sharkey, Van Morrison barely acknowledged him despite learning he had purchased concert tickets.
In contrast, Collins reportedly charmed everyone in the studio during a 1988 visit at the height of her fame on Dynasty. Sharkey remembered customers sitting in stunned silence as the actress warmly greeted staff and declared she would never go anywhere else for passport photos. He also noted she instinctively knew her best camera angle.
Chaka Khan also left a lasting impression, with Sharkey praising her natural smile and easygoing presence in front of the camera.
Some stars preferred a more private setting. When Madonna needed updated passport pictures, Sharkey traveled to the exclusive Home House, where she was staying with then-husband Guy Ritchie during home renovations. He recalled the pair casually posing while seated on flight cases after putting their children to bed.
The Passport Photo Service remained open until 2019, quietly capturing generations of celebrities through its lens. The newly released coffee table book — designed to resemble a passport wallet — also features portraits of stars such as Kate Winslet, Little Richard, George Michael, Bill Murray, Roy Orbison, and Katy Perry.
