Photographing Rafa Benetiz
Some shoots are about character.
The subject steps in front of the lens and you instantly know what the image needs to say. My recent portrait session with Rafa Benítez at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool was exactly that.
A Bit of Background
Rafa Benítez is a figure who hardly needs introduction. A tactical mastermind and one of the most successful football managers of his generation, he’s guided clubs across Europe to silverware. But in Liverpool, his name is tied to one unforgettable night: Istanbul, 2005 — when Liverpool came back from 3–0 down to win the Champions League. Beyond the trophies, Rafa is known for his meticulous attention to detail, his intensity, and his ability to bring the best out of players.
Capturing that presence in a portrait meant keeping things direct, uncompromising, and full of clarity.
The Setting
The location was the Titanic Hotel, a venue with its own gravitas. Built on Liverpool’s docks, it’s steeped in history and scale — the perfect backdrop for someone who has left such an enduring mark on the city. Inside, we stripped things back. A blue backdrop went up, isolating Rafa and focusing everything on him. The space itself carried atmosphere, but the simplicity of the setup ensured there was nowhere else for the eye to go but straight into his expression.
The Lighting
For Rafa, I chose a silver beauty dish fitted with a grid. It’s a tool that delivers hard, specular light — crisp, dramatic, and unforgiving in the best possible way. The beauty dish carved definition into his features, pulling out detail that softer light would have smoothed away. It’s the kind of lighting that suits leaders, people whose strength comes through in their presence.
The grid kept the light tight and controlled, eliminating spill and concentrating all the attention on Rafa. Combined with the deep blue background, it created portraits that are bold, intense, and unmistakably him.
The Result
The final images feel stripped back and direct. No distractions, no frills — just Rafa Benítez, photographed in a way that reflects the precision and authority he’s known for on and off the pitch.
For me, that’s what makes portraits like this stand out: when the subject, the setting, and the lighting all fuse together to create an image that feels as powerful as the person in front of the lens.
Keywords: football photography, football manager portraits, Rafa Benítez photography, Liverpool sports photographer, sports advertising photographer, dramatic sports portraits, high-end football photography, celebrity portrait photographer Liverpool, athlete branding photography, iconic football portrait, editorial sports photography, football advertising photography
PAUL COOPER
https://www.pcooperphoto.com
