Commission: Chris Floyd - The Sunday Times

Chris Floyd always has a story to tell when photographing celebrities. Experienced, confident, swift and above all charming on set. Here, in his own words is what happened when he photographed Robert De Niro.

When he walked in I introduced myself to him but he never introduced himself to me. Just a short but not unfriendly “heyhowyadoin’”.  More of a statement than a question.  At a certain point during the course of the shoot he becomes distracted by a series of questions from one of his business advisors.  The clock is ticking so I have to say the guy’s name to get his attention and get him back to the matter at hand. But what do I call him?

For a good two minutes I’m turning it over in my head. The publicist had referred to him as ‘Mr de Niro’ but I thought I’m not going to call him that. What else? Robert? Bob? Bobby? Scorcese always calls him Bobby. We’re not at that level of familiarity yet, maybe I should split it down the middle? Respectful but not overawed.  So finally, I take the plunge and say it.

“HEY BOB!….” and he looks back at me and says “Yes Sir!” with a small salute.