Ethan Hawke for The Rake

Photographer Charlie Gray @charliegraystudio /
Stylist Grace Gilfeather @gracegilfeather /
Groomer Melissa Dezarte @melissa.dezarte /

Vandervoort Studio has long been a canvas for bold creative expression. But few moments felt quite as electric as the day Ethan Hawke walked through our doors—accompanied by a live hawk, no less—for a cover story with The Rake that celebrated both his storied career and his unyielding artistic spirit.

Photographed by the ever-refined Charlie Gray, styled by Grace Gilfeather, and groomed by Melissa Dezarte, the shoot captured Hawke in a mood both regal and raw. Poised next to a majestic bird of prey—his near-namesake—the actor embodied a man in full flight, still pushing boundaries decades after his breakout in Dead Poets Society.

The energy on set was quietly intense. The lighting was sharp, the shadows deliberate. Every click of the shutter echoed with purpose. Ethan’s presence filled the studio—not in a flashy way, but in that steady, magnetic way only seasoned actors possess. He stood still, hawk perched and unflinching, eyes fixed on the lens. Silence, then: “Perfect.” That was Charlie.

The symbolism of the bird wasn’t lost on anyone. It nodded to The Rake’s themes of grace, legacy, and watchfulness—attributes Hawke carries in spades. From Todd Anderson’s trembling bravery in Dead Poets Society to his masterful turns in Linklater’s Before trilogy, and most recently, his plunge into the Marvel universe, Hawke has always been an actor in motion—soaring, never settling.

During a break, the team gathered near our kitchen area, coffee in hand, swapping stories about working with Robin Williams, about Hawke’s love of theatre, and his take on American vs. British acting philosophies. In a world increasingly defined by fast fame, his deep respect for mentorship and craft felt like a breath of fresh air.

The shoot wrapped with one last series of quiet portraits—just Hawke and a single spotlight, his gaze unwavering. As he changed out of wardrobe, he took a moment to thank the team, then turned to one of us and said, “This place has a soul.”

At Vandervoort Studio, we aim to be more than a backdrop. Shoots like this one remind us why we built this space: to give artists—whether seasoned legends or emerging voices—a setting that adapts, inspires, and supports. Sometimes that means flying in a falconer. Sometimes it just means giving someone the light and quiet they need to deliver something unforgettable.

The Ethan Hawke cover for The Rake wasn’t just a photoshoot. It was a meditation on legacy, rebellion, and the fire that keeps an artist evolving. We’re honored to have hosted it—and we’ll be seizing the day for a long time to come.