Photography: David la chapelle

1. David LaChapelle
David LaChapelle was born 11 march 1963
in Fairfield, Connecticut. is a photographer
and video/commercial/film director who
works in the fields of fashion, advertising,
and fine art photography, and is noted for
his surreal, unique and often humorous
style.
He Studied at Art Student’s League and
School of Visual Arts.
In time, LaChapelle became something of a
one-man industry, as one of the three or
four most in-demand fashion and
commercial photographers of the early
21st century.

2. Background
Early life
LaChapelle attended the North Carolina School of the Arts and
School of Visual Arts in New York City. His first photograph was of his
mother, Helga LaChapelle, on a family vacation in Puerto Rico. He
became extremely interested in photography at the age of just six
years old.
Andy Warhol offered him his first professional job as a photographer
for Interview after meeting him at Studio 54 where LaChapelle was
working at the time. Has been a professional fashion photographer
of celebrity portraits for such magazines as Details, Vanity Fair, The
Face, Vogue, Interview, Rolling Stone etc. since 1987. He quickly
became one of the most famous fashion and entertainment
photographers in the world.

3. Background
Career
LaChapelle has four published books of his photographs, including LaChapelle
Land, Hotel LaChapelle, Heaven to Hell, and Artists and Prostitutes. All four
books contain vivid and surreal portraits of celebrities such as Whitney Houston,
Marilyn Manson, Naomi Campbell, Gisele Bündchen, David Bowie, David
Beckham, Björk, Shakira, Drew Barrymore, Shirley Manson, Courtney Love, Lil'
Kim, Lance Armstrong, Angelina Jolie, Pamela Anderson, Britney Spears,
Cameron Diaz, Uma Thurman, Brook Shields, Leonardo Dicaprio, Amanda
Lepore, Cher, Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, Hugh Hefner, Madonna, Pink,
Olga Rodionova, Rihanna, Kylie Minogue, Paris Hilton and recently Lady GaGa.
LaChapelle directed singer Elton John's show, The Red Piano at Las Vegas'
Caesars Palace, which premiered in 2004. The show features extensive use of
video technology on an LED screen backing the show that, when built, was
promoted as the largest and brightest of all time. Several of John's songs during
the performance are accompanied by short films by LaChapelle.
Also, he has directed advertisements for major brands.
In 1996 “Applied Photography of the Year Award” from the International centre
of photography.

4. Imagery
"My pictures are about getting as far away from reality
as possible. Dreams should be part of our everyday
life."
"I never wanted to be famous. I always wanted to take
famous photographs."
David LaChapelle mainly bases
his work on celebrities and
bright surreal surroundings.
He is most known for
photographing fashion images
although he does take
photographs of other themes
like musicians and flowers.

5. Imagery
LaChapelle's work has been described as surrealist, grotesque, shocking and
ironic. Ingrid Sischy, long-time editor of Interview magazine, has said there are
three main aspects to his "strong and individualistic" photography: a sense of
humour, political awareness and social awareness. His use of celebrities
exaggerates aspects of their personalities and their personal lives.
In September 2007 an anonymous
source told the New York Post that
LaChapelle refuses to work with
top pop divas including, Gwen
Stefani, Madonna and Christina
Aguilera.
LaChapelle has two published
books of his photographs,
LaChapelle Land and Hotel
LaChapelle, both containing vivid
and bizarre portraits of celebrities.

6. Bibliography
Websites used:
http://en.wikipedia.org
http://www.imdb.com
http://2.bp.blogspot.com
http://www.monstersandcritics.com
http://movies.yahoo.com