"Celebrities provide an escape from the mundane. They are photographed so we can worship them—so they are worthy of our worship."

-- David LaChapelle

"A photographic portrait is a picture of someone who knows he is being photographed."

-- Richard Avedon

In this episode Antonio and Ward take on the world of celebrity portraiture — from the classic work of masters like Irving Penn, Avedon, and Karsh to modern takes by photographers such as Platon and Tyrell Hampton. Their discussion starts with Oscar Isaac’s recent GQ shoot and spirals into a larger conversation about what it means to photograph fame: whether we’re seeing the real person or a performance crafted for the camera. They weigh how much control the celebrity, the photographer, and the publication each have in shaping these images, and how context — from lighting to location — turns a portrait into a cultural artifact.

The two also reflect on why celebrity portraits endure long after the marketing fades, comparing timeless images like Audrey Hepburn’s portrait by Irving Penn and Platon’s unnerving shot of Vladimir Putin. Along the way, they contrast authenticity and artifice, recalling famous stories behind iconic portraits — from Churchill’s scowl to Meryl Streep’s unretouched close-up. 

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Show Links:

Antonio M. Rosario's Website, Vero, Instagram, Bluesky, and Facebook page

Ward Rosin’s Website, Vero, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook page.

Ornis Photo Website 

The Unusual Collective

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