The Beatles were photographed in London on 25 April 1963 by photographer Fiona Adams, capturing one of the most iconic early images of the group — the so-called “jumping Beatles” shot.

The photograph, taken in a bomb-damaged wasteland near the junction of Euston Road, Hampstead Road, and Tottenham Court Road, later appeared uncredited on the cover of the Twist And Shout EP, released in July 1963.

Adams had only recently returned to England after several years in Australia and was working for Boyfriend magazine when she was assigned to photograph the band — at a time when she had not yet heard of them. The shoot itself was informal and spontaneous.

“They hadn’t been in London much before, and I don’t think they had a manager with them or anything. It was all very casual… I got down in the hole, and then I had the idea of getting them to jump.”
— Fiona Adams

Standing above her on unstable rubble and wearing Cuban-heeled boots, each Beatle leapt into the air in their own style, resulting in the dynamic and playful image that would become one of their earliest visual trademarks.

Adams later recalled that the shoot followed an earlier studio session and a meeting during a television appearance. The group travelled together by taxi to the location, where she climbed into a bombed-out cellar to frame the shot from below.

“Taken on this single roll of film was the jumping shot… which John Lennon and Tony Barrow chose for the cover of the Beatles EP ‘Twist and Shout’.”
— Fiona Adams

Although Adams initially believed the session took place on 18 April, contemporary records confirm the correct date as 25 April 1963. The resulting EP featured four tracks from Please Please Me, including ‘Twist And Shout’, ‘A Taste Of Honey’, ‘Do You Want To Know A Secret’, and ‘There’s A Place’.

Adams went on to photograph many leading artists of the 1960s, including Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Dusty Springfield, and David Bowie, and continued working with The Beatles on several occasions.

“They were great fun and we always had a laugh.”
— Fiona Adams

FAQs

What is the “jumping Beatles” photo?

An iconic 1963 image of The Beatles mid-air, taken by Fiona Adams during a London photoshoot.

Where was the photo taken?

In a bomb-damaged wasteland near Euston Road in London.

Where was the image used?

On the cover of the Twist And Shout EP, released in July 1963.

Did Fiona Adams know The Beatles beforehand?

No — she had not heard of them prior to being assigned the shoot.

Why is this photoshoot significant?

It produced one of the earliest and most recognisable images of The Beatles during their rise to fame.