Matt Irwin dead: Tributes paid to celebrity photographer who has died aged 36

British photographer was close friends with One Direction

Matt Irwin was known for his celebrity portraits and his friendship with One Direction (Instagram/Matt Irwin)

Tributes have been paid to celebrity photographer Matt Irwin, who has died at the age of 36.

The photographer was know for his work and subsequent friendship with boyband One Direction, as well as for photographing some of the biggest names in the entertainment and music industries.

He is believed to have passed away suddenly on 6 May but his cause of death is not known.

Mr Irwin was known for taking photographs with famous celebrities like actress Daisy Ridley (Instagram/Matt Irwin)

Nicki Minaj (Instagram/Matt Irwin)

Model Alexa Chung (Instagram/Matt Irwin)

One Direction fans have paid tribute to the photographer who became close with the band, particularly Harry Styles, over the five years he worked with them on Twitter using the hashtag #RIPMattIrwin.

One fan wrote: "A celebrity photographer, and also a good friend of the boys, has passed away. Such a cruel world we live in."

Mr Irwin last posted on Instagram three days ago when he shared a link to Kate Bush's Moments of Pleasure and expressed excitement with a dancing emoji.