David Lachapelle

David LaChapelle, born on March 11, 1963, in Hartford, Connecticut, is an American photographer, music video director, and film director. His early life involved moves from Hartford to Raleigh, North Carolina, and then to Fairfield, Connecticut. At age 15, he ran away to New York City and worked as a busboy at Studio 54. His initial foray into photography involved a picture of his mother on a family vacation in Puerto Rico, an act he credits for shaping his art direction. He later attended the North Carolina School of the Arts.

LaChapelle’s career began significantly when Andy Warhol hired him as a photographer for Interview magazine when LaChapelle was 17. Warhol encouraged him with the instruction, “Do whatever you want. Just make sure everybody looks good.” This early exposure led to his work appearing in numerous international publications. His photographic style, described as “hyper-real and slyly subversive” and “kitsch pop surrealism,” became recognizable for its meticulous detail, vibrant colors, and often humorous, provocative, or socially critical themes. A significant milestone in his early commercial work was the 1995 “kissing sailors” advertisement for Diesel, which sparked discussions on LGBTQ+ representation at a time of political debate.

Over his career, LaChapelle transitioned from primarily commercial and fashion photography to focus more on fine art. This shift was partly influenced by a personal move to a solar-powered, off-the-grid home in Maui, Hawaii, which encouraged a return to his artistic roots. His later fine art photography explores themes of salvation, redemption, paradise, and consumerism, often incorporating religious symbolism. His work has been featured in major exhibitions globally, and he has published several books, including “LaChapelle Land” (1996) and “Heaven to Hell” (2006). He has received numerous awards, recognizing his contributions to photography and directing.