Frederike Helwig
Frederike Helwig for the National Portrait Gallery
January 9, 2026
In December 2025, photographer Frederike Helwig’s portrait of the Sugababes joined the National Portrait Gallery’s permanent collection.
“I photographed the Sugababes in April 2001, immediately after returning from covering the Gumball Rally to St Petersburg for Intersection magazine. They were very young at the time, and I approached the session with a sense of openness and playfulness, aiming for something natural and serious. I wanted the portrait to feel unforced—like three school friends spending an afternoon together—rather than a constructed image of a pop group.
It was an absolute pleasure working with them, and it is a particular honour to see this portrait recognised in such a significant way.”
Frederike Helwig