Peaky Blinders Inspired Photoshoot

There are photoshoots that begin with a location, others with a particular outfit, and some with a feeling. This session with Tom Eiberger began with the desire to create something darker, more cinematic and completely different from the way he usually sees himself.

Inspired by the unmistakable visual world of Peaky Blinders, we wanted to recreate the elegance, strength and mystery associated with early twentieth-century British tailoring. The intention was not to reproduce a character or copy a specific scene, but to reinterpret the atmosphere through our own visual language and allow Tom’s personality to remain at the centre of every image.

This photoshoot allowed me to see myself in a completely different way. The styling, the darker colours and the whole cinematic atmosphere brought out a more serious and confident side of me that I had never really explored before. At first, it felt unfamiliar, but as the session progressed, I started to connect with the character and make it my own. Seeing the final photographs was surprising because they revealed a version of myself I didn’t know I could portray.”
— Tom Eiberger

A restrained and cinematic colour palette

Colour played an essential role in shaping the mood of the photoshoot. We deliberately worked with a muted palette of charcoal black, slate grey, deep brown and soft cream. These tones create a sense of timelessness while giving the portraits a more dramatic and masculine character.

The dark textured jacket, grey waistcoat, tailored trousers and traditional flat cap all sit naturally within this subdued palette. Against the aged wooden background, the fabrics become even more noticeable. The grain of the wood, the weave of the jacket and the different shades of grey add depth without introducing distracting colours.

The small areas of white around the shirt cuffs, collar and pocket square bring just enough contrast to separate the layers of the outfit. They also help direct attention towards Tom’s face and hands, which become important expressive elements within the composition.

Rather than using bright colours or highly polished surroundings, we allowed shadows, textures and neutral tones to tell the story. The final result feels raw yet sophisticated, as though the photographs could belong to another era while still maintaining a contemporary editorial quality.

Recreating the style without creating a costume

What makes the Peaky Blinders aesthetic so compelling is the contrast between refinement and toughness. The characters are impeccably dressed, but the world around them feels industrial, weathered and unpredictable. We wanted to explore that same tension throughout the session.

The three-piece suit creates structure and elegance, while the heavier overcoat and flat cap introduce a more rugged quality. The styling is formal, but Tom’s posture prevents it from feeling stiff or overly traditional. His direct gaze, grounded position and relaxed hands give the images a quiet confidence.

It was important that the clothes did not wear him. Although the inspiration came from a very recognisable period, we avoided turning the session into a theatrical recreation. Instead, the styling became a tool to reveal something authentic: a more intense, thoughtful and self-assured side of Tom.

The final photographs sit somewhere between historical portraiture, cinematic storytelling and modern men’s fashion editorial.

Why we chose this concept

One of the most exciting parts of portrait photography is giving someone the opportunity to step outside their usual image. A strong concept can create the freedom to experiment with a different energy, posture or expression—sometimes revealing qualities that were always present but had never been photographed before.

For Tom, this styling offered a dramatic departure from a conventional portrait session. The clothing, location and lighting invited him to slow down and embody a character that was reserved, powerful and slightly mysterious.

We chose the Peaky Blinders-inspired direction because it matched his features and physical presence while also presenting him with a creative challenge. The sharp tailoring complemented his build, while the cap and darker tones brought greater intensity to his expression. As the session progressed, the concept stopped feeling like a reference and began to feel like his own.

That transformation is where the most interesting images emerged.

Discovering a different side of Tom

Seeing yourself photographed in an unfamiliar style can be a surprisingly powerful experience. We often become accustomed to one version of our appearance: the way we dress every day, the expressions we make naturally or the type of photographs in which we feel most comfortable.

This photoshoot allowed Tom to see beyond that familiar image.

Through the combination of classic tailoring, controlled lighting and cinematic direction, he was able to recognise a more mature and commanding presence in himself. There is confidence in the photographs, but it is not loud or exaggerated. It appears through stillness, eye contact and the way he occupies the frame.

The process also showed him how adaptable he could be in front of the camera. He did not need to become someone else. He simply needed the right environment to explore a part of his personality that had not previously been given much space.

For me, that is one of the most meaningful outcomes a portrait session can offer. A successful photograph does more than show how someone looks. It can change how they perceive themselves.

More than an inspired photoshoot

Although the aesthetic references are immediately recognisable, this series ultimately became much more personal than a recreation of a television style. It became a study of transformation, character and understated confidence.

The muted colours gave the images their timeless atmosphere. The tailoring introduced elegance and structure. The wooden surroundings added history and texture. But it was Tom’s willingness to step into an unfamiliar visual world that gave the photographs their strength.

By the end of the session, we had not simply recreated an iconic style. We had used it to uncover and document a new side of Tom—one that felt sophisticated, cinematic and entirely believable.