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Portrait photography is about capturing the unique essence of your subject, but what if your subject is well-known, often internationally?
Celebrity portrait photography combines the glamour of working with the stars with the complicated craft of taking distinctive portrait photos. Learn about the creators that influenced the genre by reading on or watching our masterclass by Dan Kennedy.
Dan Kennedy
Celebrity Portrait Photography:
The Ultimate Guide by Dan Kennedy
Interested in the world of celebrity photography? Check out the detailed guide by Dan Kennedy – celebrity portrait photographer from London.
Trailer
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Sneak-peek
1
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Intro
31
What is celebrity photography?
56
Pre-production
173
Pre-production tools
361
Preparing a shot list
521
Shoot day
676
Essential camera equipment
871
Accessories
975
Lenses
1027
Camera settings
1108
Camera Evolution
1265
Editing
1441
Skills needed
1725
5 key learnings
1948
Breaking the rules
2477
Finding inspiration
2588
Favourite shots
2665
Tips & tricks
2762
Wrap up
2942
Meet Dan
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What you’ll learn
Be reactive & move quickly: Both on shooting day and in general.
Gear up: Bring extra memory cards and batteries.
Creativity is a muscle: Practice makes perfect, also in celebrity photography.
Make it simple: Stick to one light only and focus on the subject.
Be a people’s person: Enjoy working with others and have others enjoy working with you.
Stay technology-updated: Know about changes in technology and the industry itself.
New to photography? Explore everything you need to know with photography 101.
10 Iconic celebrity photographers
The following noteworthy photographers left their mark on the industry. Read more about 10 iconic creators behind iconic celebrity portraits.
1. Annie Leibovitz
Renowned for her dramatic conceptual portraits, Annie Leibovitz is often called the photographer to stars. Her photos stun, amaze, and often shock viewers. She worked with celebrities ranging from Leonardo DiCaprio, John Lennon, LeBron James, and even Queen Elizabeth II.
Her long and successful career is filled with accomplishments, like working as chief photographer for Rolling Stone magazine and shooting covers for Vanity Fair and receiving an honorary Clio award.
2. Mario Testino
Mario Testino, a native of the fashion industry, made his mark on celebrity portrait photography. The Peruvian artist is known for his evocative and vivid portraits, which capture his subjects in engaging moments. He worked with Kate Moss, Gwyneth Paltrow, Princess Diana, and Robbie Williams.
Testino got published in international magazines such as Vogue and Vanity Fair and worked with Gucci, Burberry, Versace, and more.
3. Peter Lindbergh
German filmmaker and photographer Peter Lindbergh advanced the genre of photography. He introduced narrative storytelling into fashion images and preferred to shoot most of his portraits in black and white.
One of the most influential contemporary photographers, Lindbergh worked with models like Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, and Linda Evangelista.
4. Martin Schoeller
Munich-born photographer Martin Schoeller began his career in the US as assistant to Annie Leibovitz from 1993 to 1996. He gained recognition for his celebrity portrait photography with his signature high-contrast extreme close-ups.
Beyond celebrities, Schoeller enjoys working with ordinary people as the focus of his art. His most notable photos feature celebs like Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Emma Watson, and Jack Nicholson.
5. David LaChapelle
David LaChapelle works as a director and photographer in many fields, including advertising, fine art, and fashion. His hyper-saturated photos often combine art history with social commentary and pop culture.
LaChapelle worked with Amanda Lepore, Miley Cyrus, Angelina Jolie, and Kim Kardashian.
6. Irving Penn
American photographer Irving Penn is known for his striking approach to several photography genres such as fashion, portraiture, and still life. His refined, elegant images pushed boundaries in terms of technological innovation and subject matters.
His most famous works featured Marlene Dietrich, Salvador Dalí, Martin Scorsese, and Nicole Kidman.
7. Mark Mann
Known celebrity and sports photographer Mark Mann got published in magazines such as Esquire, Men's Health, and Billboard amongst many.
His celebrity portraiture features his subjects in authentic, sympathetic ways that allow viewers to really connect. His famous models include Al Pacino, Jennifer Aniston, and former president Barack Obama.
8. Richard Avedon
Richard Avedon was one of the leading mid-20th-century photographers. He had a keen eye for portraiture from a young age, and his minimalistic photos received recognition worldwide.
His work was featured in Harper's Bazaar and Vogue several times, and his most famous clients included Alfred Hitchco*ck, Marilyn Monroe, Andy Warhol, and Audrey Hepburn.
9. Helmut Newton
German-Australian artist Helmut Newton had his break into celebrity portrait photography with his provocative, erotically charged photos. His controversial work was often published in Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Queen magazines.
His celebrity models included Isabella Rossellini, Claudia Shiffer, and Sigourney Weaver.
10. Philippe Halsman
Philippe Halsman, born in the former Russian Empire that became Latvia, was an influential photographer working in the mid-20th century.
His bold, spontaneous style won critical acclaim. He was one of the earliest contributors to surrealist photography, leaving his mark on the genre. He photographed major celebrities of his era, like Audrey Hepburn, Salvador Dalí, and Jean Cocteau.
Closing thoughts
These iconic and captivating photos inspired many to try their luck at celebrity portrait photography. But making it in the industry isn't easy.
Dive deep into the portfolios of the influential creators above, or master the craft of portrait photography with our tips.
Happy shooting!
About the instructor
Dan Kennedy is a London-based celebrity and fashion photographer regularly commissioned in the UK and USA to shoot for advertising clients, magazines, and celebrity agents.
FAQs
Which photographer is known for celebrity portraits?
Annie Leibovitz, Mario Testino, and Peter Lindbergh are amongst the best celebrity portrait photographers of all time.
Who is the most famous celebrity photographer?
Annie Leibovitz is the most famous celebrity photographer.
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Renting Film Gear from Local Filmmakers
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Celebrity Portrait Photography
Celebrity portrait photography is a specialized genre that combines the glamour of working with celebrities and the craft of capturing distinctive portrait photos. It involves capturing the unique essence of well-known individuals, often internationally recognized. Celebrity portrait photographers use their skills and creativity to create captivating and iconic images of celebrities.
Influential Creators in Celebrity Portrait Photography
Several photographers have made significant contributions to the field of celebrity portrait photography. Here are some notable photographers and their contributions:
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Annie Leibovitz: Renowned for her dramatic conceptual portraits, Leibovitz is often called the photographer to the stars. She has worked with celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio, John Lennon, and Queen Elizabeth II .
-
Mario Testino: Testino, a native of the fashion industry, has made his mark on celebrity portrait photography with his evocative and vivid portraits. He has worked with celebrities like Kate Moss, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Princess Diana.
-
Peter Lindbergh: Lindbergh introduced narrative storytelling into fashion images and preferred to shoot most of his portraits in black and white. He has worked with models like Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford.
-
Martin Schoeller: Known for his extreme close-up portraits, Schoeller gained recognition for his celebrity portrait photography. He has photographed celebrities such as Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, and Emma Watson.
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David LaChapelle: LaChapelle is known for his hyper-saturated photos that combine art history, social commentary, and pop culture. He has worked with celebrities like Miley Cyrus, Angelina Jolie, and Kim Kardashian.
-
Irving Penn: Penn was known for his striking approach to fashion, portraiture, and still life photography. His refined and elegant images pushed boundaries in terms of technological innovation and subject matters. He photographed celebrities like Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn.
-
Mark Mann: Mann is a known celebrity and sports photographer whose work has been published in magazines such as Esquire and Men's Health. He has photographed celebrities like Al Pacino, Jennifer Aniston, and Barack Obama.
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Richard Avedon: Avedon was one of the leading mid-20th-century photographers known for his minimalistic and impactful portraits. He photographed celebrities like Marilyn Monroe and Andy Warhol.
-
Helmut Newton: Newton's provocative and erotically charged photos made him a prominent figure in celebrity portrait photography. He worked with celebrities like Claudia Schiffer and Isabella Rossellini.
-
Philippe Halsman: Halsman was an influential photographer known for his bold and spontaneous style. He photographed celebrities like Audrey Hepburn and Salvador Dalí.
These photographers have left a lasting impact on the field of celebrity portrait photography and continue to inspire aspiring photographers.
Tips and Tricks for Celebrity Portrait Photography
The article you provided also mentions some tips and tricks for celebrity portrait photography. Here are a few key points:
- Be reactive and move quickly on shooting day and in general.
- Gear up by bringing extra memory cards and batteries.
- Practice creativity, as it is a muscle that improves with practice.
- Keep it simple by focusing on one light source and the subject.
- Be a people's person and enjoy working with others.
- Stay updated on changes in technology and the industry itself.
These tips can help aspiring celebrity portrait photographers improve their skills and capture compelling images.
Please note that the information provided above is based on the content you shared and the search results available at the time of writing.
