Celebrity Portrait Photography – 10 Influential Creators Behind the Glamorous Genre

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 Hitchcock, 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!

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