madisonmag.com.au

0230 january 06madison

madisonmag.com.au

LIVING

“Montauk’s a surfer town, so you get a lot of people in the arts living around here,” says

photographer Ben Watts of the two-storey Cape Cod-

style holiday home that he shares with partner Jeanann Williams and daughter Ruby.

LIFE IS LIVED IN TECHNICOLOUR

FOR CELEBRITY PHOTOGRAPHER BEN WATTS AND

HIS FAMILY

SNAPHAPPY!

WORDS ALEXANDRA CARLTONPHOTOGRAPHY RAEGAN GLAZNER

STRAP

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231 march 10madison

STRAP

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“I love bright, loud colour, colourful walls, colourful language and colourful people,” grins photographer Ben Watts, 42, referring particularly to his colour-punched, beachside summer house in Montauk, in upper New York State’s Hamptons. It’s hardly surprising, given the British-born brother of actress Naomi Watts makes a living capturing the world’s most vibrant characters in saturated rainbow hues. The former Australian resident (he grew up in Sydney) has peered through the lens at everyone from Lou Reed and Rachel Weisz to the cast of Twilight and fi lls his life with energetic and eccentric people away from the studio too.

“We love having parties – our Fourth of July party each year is the best one. Last year we had it in a beach club bar and had about 800 people – a mishmash of who’s who and who’s not. There’s always a mixture of celebrities, plenty of beautiful women and young stars peacocking!” he laughs.

One beautiful woman you can guarantee will always be present is Watts’ partner of three years, Jeanann Williams, a publicist for fashion brands Victoria’s Secret and Banana Republic. The two met at a party for Gap clothing some years ago when Watts saw her from across the room and “just had to talk to her”. Now they’re the doting parents of nine-month-old Ruby, who Watts describes affectionately as “a little angel and little horror all in one person”.

They live the bulk of their lives in NYC’s Meatpacking District but escape to their fi ve-bedroom beach retreat whenever possible. For 28-year-old Williams, who grew up in the open spaces of small-town Illinois, the Montauk house is a chance to fl ee the city crowds. “We love spending Christmas here because Ben’s sister [Naomi] has a house here and his mum comes and we spend it together, which is really nice,” she says. ➔

Watts’ partner of three years, Jeanann Williams, a publicist for fashion brands

“Every time we have a friend over it turns into 20,” says Jeanann.

232madison march 10

Ben, Jeanann and baby Ruby take an opportunity to relax at their holiday home.

madisonmag.com.au

0233 january 06madison

LIVING

Ben found the chaise in Brooklyn and had it

re-upholstered with the fl ag of his birthplace, the Union Jack.

On the drive from Manhattan to Montauk, the family always stop at roadside stalls

to pick up bunches of sunfl owers.

“Life is colourful!” says Ben of his taste for punchy sunshine palettes.

to pick up bunches of sunfl owers.

The print behind the bed is one of Ben’s own.

LIVING

“She’s the apple of our eye,” says Ben of daughter, Ruby.

IN THE FRAME

TIPS ON HOW TO PRESERVE YOUR PICTURES, BY LYNN

PEARCE FROM THAT FRAMING PLACE IN BALMAIN,

SYDNEY, 02 9555 1392, thatframingplace.com.au.

1 The key to longevity with framed photos is to keep the

glass off the surface of the print. With Australia’s humidity, photos are often vulnerable to sticking to the glass which then results in a permanent adhesion that can’t be removed without

damaging the image.2 To frame ticket stubs, place

them in a 3-D box frame, perhaps with some photos of the sporting match or show.

3 When grouping small items, hang them at eye level or below as you’ll need to get up close to

have a good look.4 Using ready-made frames is fi ne, but if the item is precious it’s better to let an expert do

the actual framing.

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234 march 10madison

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madisonmag.com.aumadisonmag.com.au

playBen bought the table football game to beat his mates – until he discovered they were all better at it than him! The treasures in the den have been collected from photo shoots and boxing and football matches from around the world and combine as a freakishly attractive collage. m

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