Behind the Scenes: Photographing Illusionist Maddox Dixon in the Studio and on the Rooftop
Portrait photography often works best when the subject’s personality drives the shoot. That was certainly the case when photographer Eric Hason photographed illusionist Maddox Dixon, capturing a series of images that blend theatrical flair with a touch of mischief. Shot both inside Hason’s Brooklyn studio and on the rooftop above it, the session explored different moods, backgrounds, and poses that reflect Dixon’s unique stage persona.
Maddox Dixon is a rising illusionist known for his modern approach to classic magic. Combining sleight-of-hand, theatrical storytelling, and a playful sense of humor, Dixon has built a reputation for performances that feel both intimate and surprising. Based in London, Dixon is increasingly looking to expand his work in the United States. Wanting imagery that captured an authentic New York energy, he traveled to the city and conducted an exhaustive search for photographers before deciding that Eric Hason’s aesthetic best matched the vision he had for the shoot.
The studio portion of the session focused on controlled lighting and a variety of backdrops to create different visual moods—from clean portrait setups to more stylized scenes that highlight the drama of performance. One of the standout images from the session captures Dixon in a deliberately cheeky moment: on set while being primped and groomed between takes, casually sipping a glass of scotch. The image plays with the idea of the magician backstage—half performer, half conspirator—letting viewers in on a playful behind-the-scenes moment.
To contrast the studio environment, the shoot moved to the rooftop of Hason’s Brooklyn studio. Against the skyline and open sky, Dixon performed one of the most iconic gestures in card magic: throwing playing cards dramatically into the air. In the featured image, he stands confidently at the edge of the building’s parapet wall, launching a spray of cards upward as they scatter in midair. The rooftop setting adds a cinematic scale and energy to the image, turning a classic magician’s flourish into a striking portrait moment.
Photographing performers like Dixon offers an opportunity to blend portraiture with storytelling. By combining studio lighting, varied backgrounds, and an urban rooftop setting, the shoot captures both the personality of the magician and the visual drama that surrounds the art of illusion.
For photographers, performers, and creative professionals looking for dynamic editorial portraits, sessions like this demonstrate how a mix of controlled studio work and environmental shooting can create a compelling visual narrative.