Photography Saturday: David LaChapelle




LACHAPELLE'S STYLE
David LaChapelle is known world wide for his extravagant and colorful art photography full of nudity, nonrealistic settings and irony. In some of his shots he uses religious symbols and elements in a contemporary and often also controversial way. Basically you can say that he creates his own world with his photos - a world with different rules, behavior and style.

THE STORY ABOUT MY ENCOUNTER WITH LACHAPELLE'S WORK
I was first introduced to his art when I was walking through a book store with my boyfriend. He picked out LaChapelle's 10X13 inch hardcover book from 2006 "Heaven to Hell" and said: "Julie, you have to see this guy's work, it is so amazing". And it sure was, because before we knew of it, we were sitting on the bookstore carpet floor looking at each picture with amazement.
          After having sat on the floor for an hour or two (because bookstores apparently don't know the concept of chairs) we realized that we had both experienced something special. Not being able to afford the book we walked out knowing that we would always remember his name and his work. (Later in 2010 the book was released again for only 60 dollars (in Denmark) and on amazon.com you can now get it for only 26 dollars - go get it!!).

INFO
  • His website is www.lachapellestudio.com and www.davidlachapelle.com
  • David LaChapelle started out working with photography in the 80's at galleries in NYC.
  • He went to North Carolina School of Arts and later in NY he enrolled at the ARt Students League and the School of Visual Ars.
  • He got hired at this first professional photography job by Andy Warhol at the Interview Magazine.
  • He has taken photos of so many celebrities so to name a few: Michael Jackson, Rolling Stones, Eminem, Angelina Jolie, Leonardo DiCaprio and Britney Spears.
  • He has also directed numerous music videos for e.g. Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears and No Doubt.
  • He also built a huge set for > Elton John's red piano tour.
  • He sued Rihanna for having used scenes and costumes in her "S and M" music video that look too similar to the ones of LaChapelle. So far it looks like she is losing 'cause it is unmistakably a copy of his work. > Comparison of Rihanna and LaChapelle.