Felix Rios Photographs Winston Churchill and Other Reenactors for Photo Series

Sir Winston Churchill once said: “Success consists of going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm.” I think that many photographers can relate to this quote from this famous historical figure. The British Prime Minister who led his country to victory during World War II was one of the few giants of the era along with U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. These historical personages are long gone, but Felix Rios, a London-based photographer, managed to go back in time to capture Churchill’s doppelganger for a photoshoot.

For more than a year, Rios has been attending cosplay and reenactment events with nothing more than a portable studio setup: a Nikon D750, one medium-sized softbox with a Nikon speedlight inside, and a hand-painted smoky gray backdrop. He kept the setup simple in order to be mobile and move freely during the events. The lighter footprint also allowed him to remain discrete without drawing too much attention.

The Churchill picture is part of his project called “My Other Self.” “I photograph the costumes, the outfits, or the disguises, but most importantly, my intention is to cut through it all, and photograph the people behind them,” Rios said on his post to  Medium.

The former British Prime Minister was portrayed by Derek Herbert, an entertainer who describes himself as an actor, a singer, and a musician. He explained, “I admire Winston Churchill and his legacy. [...] I would thank him because of the opportunity he has given me, to meet many interesting people at some wonderful venues, it has been a real privilege.”

For more pictures, please check his website, Facebook, and Instagram.

All images used with permission.