David LaChapelle is one of the biggest names in photography, but his work is not limited to portraits as he has directed numerous commercials and music videos. His photographs are in the collections of the National Portrait Gallery in London and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Who is David LaChapelle?
David LaChapelle was born in 1963 in Fairfield, Connecticut. Raised in a family of two children, he always credited his mother for his passion for photography. Part of David LaChapelle's style originates from the way his mother would stage the family to take a picture.
After graduating from the North Carolina School of Arts, he moved to New York at the age of 19 and two years later presented his first exhibition there. He also met many artists such as Keith Haring, Robert Mapplethorpe and Andy Warhol. Warhol, attracted by LaChapelle's photos, helped him get his first job as a professional photographer for Interview magazine.
David LaChapelle's style
Greatly influenced by surrealism and pop art, David LaChapelle's style stands out for its explosion of colors and the intersection of fashion and fine art, contemporary figures and classical art.
Another aspect of his style is the use of nudity, partial or total, with a touch of humor. Thanks to this intelligent, creative and brilliant approach to nudity, David LaChapelle's work, while often provocative and shocking, never veers into the vulgar. Highly regarded in his field, he has worked with many celebrities and his art extends to music videos, commercials, short films and movie trailers.
His notable works
In no time, David LaChapelle's style attracted the biggest names in show business. Very popular with celebrities, his photos have been published in the biggest magazines: Rolling Stone, New York Times Magazine, Vogue or Vanity Fair. Among the celebrities he has photographed are Angelina Jolie, Elizabeth Taylor, Leonardo DiCaprio, Madonna and Hillary Clinton.
But David LaChapelle's work is not limited to photography, as he has directed numerous music videos, including the famous "Dirrty" by Christina Aguilera, "Take me to church" by the Irish singer Hozier, "It's my life" by No Doubt for which he won an award and "Everytime" by Britney Spears.