Famous portrait photographers and their works

Historical figures are best remembered through their iconic photographs, says Arie Eric De Jong. But who’re the people behind the lens who made it all possible? Today’s blog features a few famous photographers whose portraits of famous personalities helped immortalize their subjects throughout history.

Annie Leibovitz

Annie Leibovitz is one of America’s most famous portrait photographers, says Arie Eric De Jong. She is best known for her portraits of celebrities and is the author of the iconic photo of John Lennon lying naked and firmly grabbing his wife, Yoko Ono. Leibovitz has worked with Rolling Stones and Vanity Fair magazines. She is the first woman to present her work at Washington’s National Portrait Gallery.

Yousuf Karsh

Yousuf Karsh is widely believed to be the most famous portrait photographer in history. According to Arie Eric De Jong, this Armenian-Canadian photographer is famous for his portrait of celebrities, politicians, and royalty. His catalog includes photos of Winston Churchill, Ernest Hemingway, Queen Elizabeth II, and Albert Einstein. A trivia about Yousuf: In 2000, the International Who’s Who released 100 of the most notable people of the 20th century and no. 51 on the list Yousuf Karsh has photographed. He himself is even on the list. He is the brother of another great photographer - Malak Karsh.

Philippe Halsman

Philippe Halsman is a genius of a photographer, says Arie Eric De Jong. Halsman’s unique style is best depicted in his iconic works with Salvador Dali, such as Dali Atomicus and Voluptas Mors (Voluptuous Death). Another great personality he has worked with is director Alfred Hitchcock. Halsman is also famous for his jumping portraits, which he believed reveals the realness of the subject - “one only has to snap it with a camera.”