It's Magic; Maddox Magic | Mat Smith Photography

Maddox for Vanish Magazine front cover, May 2018 edition

For all Britain's Got Talent fans, tonight you witnessed the wonder of Maddox Magic. We first met Sam "Maddox" Dixon back in 2016 shortly after he returned from tour performing with Coldplay. At the time he was transitioning from music to a full time career as magician "Maddox Magic", specialising in close-up sleight of hand magic and deceptive illusions.

Back then we had great fun treading the streets of East London, photographing as he stunned people into silence on the street with impressive tricks whilst maintaining that unmistakable Maddox smile and unassuming vibe. Read more and see photos from our 2016 shoot here.

For this shoot our brief was to capture more of Sam's personality, with the addition of a studio setting for May's front cover of international magic magazine "Vanish".

Maddox Magic, magician, seated with a Rubik's Cube on a black backdrop, portrait by Mat Smith Photography, Chiswick — Rubik's Cube

Once finished in our Chiswick High Road studios we took a stroll around the block. We're always a fan of our local railway arches. To others a dingy uninspiring narrow alleyway, to us it provides eye-catching texture, interesting backdrops and therefore photo opportunities galore.

Maddox Magic, magician, in a red coat against steel railings, portrait by Mat Smith Photography, Stamford Brook — Maddox, Stamford Brook arches

Maddox Magic, magician, against shutters, black and white portrait by Mat Smith Photography, Stamford Brook — Maddox, shutters

A theme to many a Mat Smith Photography shoot is the coffee stop; this shoot was no exception. Artisan Coffee have become particularly special to us - as well as neighbours they also roast their beans in the workshop at the bottom of our garden.

Maddox Magic, magician, with a Rubik's Cube seen through a cafe window, portrait by Mat Smith Photography, Chiswick — Maddox, Artisan Coffee

Talking about the roasters, this was our next shooting location. The mix of rope lighting, London stock, ply and render allows for a great range of scenes all in one venue.

Maddox Magic, magician, on bags of coffee beans in a roastery, portrait by Mat Smith Photography, Chiswick — Maddox Magic, Coffee Roastery, Chiswick

Maddox Magic, magician, performing a card trick with a spread of playing cards — Maddox card trick

Just before sunset we strolled around our local square before heading back to the studio, and as we packed down for the night, we were lucky enough to be treated to a trick.

Maddox Magic, magician, in a hoodie by iron railings, portrait by Mat Smith Photography, St Peter's Square, Hammersmith — Maddox Magic, St Peter's Square, Hammersmith

The magic of Maddox as well as, of course, the magic, comes from who he is. Relaxed, personable, engaging. He drew us in and astounded us with a card trick that has left our brains all a-jumble. Afterwards he graciously heard our rookie theories as we scratched our heads attempting to work out what we had just both witnessed.

Mat Smith is a London-based portrait photographer. To see more of his work or to get in touch, visit www.matsmithphotography.com

And here's Mat's photo on the front cover of Vanish Magazine, May 2018.

Vanish magazine May 2018 front cover featuring Maddox Magic

All photographs on this blog are Copyright Mat Smith Photography 2026 unless otherwise indicated.

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