By Marie Lodi, CNN
Los Angeles (CNN) — It’s been over a century since theater mogul Sid Grauman introduced the concept of the Hollywood red carpet at the 1922 premiere of “Robin Hood.” Ever since, the Tinseltown tradition has seen stars attend film premieres, festivals and award ceremonies bedecked in couture, debuting new looks or new relationships (or, perhaps, subtly hinting at a breakup) with photographers capturing their every move.
These behind-the-lens creatives are a crucial link between celebrity and civilian; their work serving as an arbiter of trends and beauty and aspiration in the moment, as well as visual time capsules for years to come. Photographer Chelsea Lauren has documented the red carpet scene for the photo agency Shutterstock for nearly a decade.
Every year, from January to April, Lauren shoots most of the major awards ceremonies — the Golden Globes, Emmys, Grammys, alongside other industry events like the Costume Design Guild Awards and Independent Spirit Awards. It’s a hectic time.
Billed as the celebrity event of the year, with its 900-foot-long red carpet that sweeps down Hollywood Boulevard and into the Dolby Theatre, the Oscars are on another level.
There’s a hierarchy to the arrivals — non-famous attendees take a less central route down the red carpet, while the biggest stars arrive last. But Lauren admits it can be overwhelming, even for some of the seasoned celebrities in attendance. It’s noisy — photographers vie for the attention of stars by calling out their names — and despite a sea of professional lights, camera flashes go off all around as live TV cameras roll.
“I have a lot of (actors) tell me they look for me on the carpet because it makes them feel calmer and safe,” Lauren told CNN. “It’s a lot to be screamed at like that… Sometimes, they’ll break from posing and run over to me on the carpet to give me a hug.”
Having worked the circuit for several years, Lauren says many celebrities have begun to feel comfortable in her presence — some have even become friends. She cites the likes of Paris Hilton (Lauren took her wedding photos), singer Janelle Monáe and actor and 2024 Oscar nominee Colman Domingo. “He is the most beautiful, wonderful human being in the whole world,” she said of the “Rustin” star. “I’m so proud of him and seeing him flourish this season.”
While the stars step out in their finery, the photographers at the Oscars have to put on a show too. It’s one of the only awards shows where there is a dress code, even for those covering the event: Long gowns for women and suits for men.
Sartorial mishaps are a major concern for celebrities in the media eye; Lauren recounts a time when one helped her create a bond with actor Daniel Kaluuya at a pre-Oscars party after someone spilt red wine on his suit. “I had a stain remover in my purse that I had just gotten that day… We spent like 20 minutes trying to get this stain out,” she recalled. When they weren’t successful, Lauren helped sneak him out of the party so the other photographers wouldn’t catch it. The next day on the Oscars red carpet, Kaluuya pointed at Lauren and yelled “You’re my G!” “It’s just the little moments like that,” she said. “I treat people like people and not like ATMs. Those result in some fun photos sometimes.”
While undoubtedly fun, being a red carpet photographer is not all glamour. Lauren says that people don’t realize how much there is to be done at the same time — from recognizing, by name, the hundreds of celebrities who come past her lens to getting a variety of images of each person.
Every year for the Oscars, Lauren’s assignment changes. Sometimes, it’s shooting the show, executive arrivals or the afterparty. This year, she is only shooting arrivals — since she’ll be on a plane the very next morning to shoot studio portraits at South by Southwest. “Once that’s done, maybe I’ll get to sleep,” she laughed.
With a warm demeanor and talent behind the lens, Lauren is a natural celebrity photographer, but her career began as a hobby. (Growing up in the LA suburbs, Lauren also worked as a child actor herself, but now says she’s much happier as a “celebrity adjacent.”) “When I was younger, my grandparents got me a nice camera, and I used to take it everywhere,” she told CNN. Eventually, when her portfolio was strong enough, Lauren went for a job at an agency. “I brought in a big book of photos, all old-school, and plopped it down,” says Lauren. She landed the job, working for the agency for about seven years until Shutterstock hired her.
A lot has changed since Lauren first began her career. Back then, she was one of “very few” women on the red carpet — only 30 percent of the press pack she estimates, with the rest being “men who were significantly older.”
“I don’t like conflict at all,” Lauren said. “And other photographers would try to push me around or try to claim their territory and say, ‘You can’t do this. You go over here.’ Now, I’m like, ‘No, I’m good here.’ I’m gonna stand my ground. I wish I’d been a little more aggressive about that,” she said.
Now, however, the gender split is closer to 50/50 which has brought about changes at events. “I have definitely seen a shift. Certain behaviors aren’t so acceptable anymore, which is really wonderful because it became a more welcoming place for women to work,” she said. “Diversity is increasing in general, which is wonderful.”
Even though she’s been photographing the stars for over 15 years, Lauren hasn’t lost her perspective. “I’m grateful to be around the most creative, talented, artistic, beautiful human beings in the world,” she said. It’s easy to forget when you’re in the midst of working, but if you take a step back from yourself, it’s like, ‘wow, I have a dream job.’ It’s really special.”
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In the final countdown to the total solar eclipse, North Texans are planning for the day and preparing to capture this once-in-a-lifetime moment.
Saturday, photographer David Downs shared his expertise with the Heard Nature Photography Club on how to best capture the moment the sun, the Earth, and the moon align next month.
“If you live in this area, it’s like that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so we’re trying to take advantage of it,” said Downs.
Like glasses are essential for those hoping to watch, Downs explained photographer’s tools.
“You should get a solar filter if you have a camera,” he said.
Downs added Mylar, which will likely be the most accessible and affordable option, while glass filters are another.
“We don’t have to travel anywhere to go see it. It’s right here in literally our own backyards,” said club member Steven Earls.
Earls among those here polishing skills first practiced last fall during the annular eclipse.
“I figured out, I can do it,” he said.
With thousands expected to flock to North Texas communities on April 8th, Downs reminded those planning to take part to arrive early and to prepare for crowds.
He also encouraged them to take a break from the viewfinder to soak in a moment most will never experience again.
“They say a picture’s worth a thousand words. I think a photograph doesn’t do this justice,” he said.
You’re taking more than a “walk on the wild side” when you use your camera out on the streets today. Pursuing that perfect moment could quickly transform into a matter of life or death.
It’s dangerous out there, and the first thing you DON’T want to be is “that” guy. You’ve seen him, Mr. Red Dot with stylish black cameras draped around his neck and a Billingham bag or two hanging off his shoulders. Don’t do that; blend in with the crowd and become disarmingly inconspicuous.
How can you avoid conflict? It’s easy, shoot like Diane Arbus.
Rather than delving into Diane Arbus’ unique compositional style, focus, instead, on her preferred street camera…the Rollei Rolleiflex Twin Lens Reflex (TLR) camera. While initially using a 35mm Nikon F camera for her street photography, she switched to the Rolleiflex based on one signature trait of the TLR–a waist-level viewfinder which provided her with an unparalleled access to street life.
What you’ll need:
or,
Finally,
A waist-level viewfinder causes the photographer to look down onto the focusing screen of the camera. Therefore, your big mug isn’t staring into the lives of your subjects, rather it’s facing downward and hidden from view. This photographic technique renders you virtually invisible to most street denizens.
This same invisibility can be achieved by using a right angle viewfinder attachment that is available for most popular 35mm film cameras (see Figure 5). Furthermore, you can also use a tilting LCD panel found on most popular digital cameras as a waist-level surrogate (see Figure 6).
One final aspect of “going incognito” on the street is selecting a chrome camera body versus a black body. Yes, this flies in the face of conventional wisdom, but holding a large black box in your hands is typically seen as some form of modern technology. Conversely, a chrome camera body looks innocuously “antique” (e.g., “Hey, Dad, get with the 2000’s!”) and is seen as less of a threat (see Figure 7).
It’s easy to stalk your elusive public prey, like the two characters in Figure 8, by looking down at your feet while holding a small silver camera that sets your inner Lou Reed free to “hit the streets, looking for soul food.”
The Pittsburg County 4-H Photography Contest is patterned after Section 302 in the County Fair Book. 4-H members can utilize these entries for the 2024 County Fair but could not have entered these items in the 2023 County Fair. We had 59 entries this year. Results for this event were as follows:
Junior Grand Champion (grades 3-7)
Brytne McCombs, Blocker 4-H
Junior Reserve Grand Champion
Harley Durossette
Senior Grand Champion (grades 8-12)
Hailey Stephan, Frink-Chambers 4-H
Senior Reserve Grand Champion
Ember Duffy, Haileyville 4-H
Ribbon winners were as follows:
Blue Ribbons-
Blocker 4-H-Crystal Hollingshead, Samantha Shafer, Lucas Allen (3 ribbons), Brytne McCombs (2), Josiah Durossette (2), Harley Durossette (2); Crowder-Solar Starr (2); Frink-Chambers-Hailey Stephan, Marco Martinez, Louis Martinez, Jagger McCabe, Addie Dixon, Landri Henry, Sadie Miller, Landyn Willie; Haileyville-Asyrian Seegel (3), Ember Duffy, Aleah McGuire, Kristian Langton, Aubrie Whitehouse (2); Lakewood-Brielle Roberts (2); Parker 4-H-Teagan Devries (2); Puterbaugh 4-H-Eyan Madden.
Red Ribbons-
Blocker 4-H-Samantha Shafer, Crystal Hollingshead (2); Frink-Chambers-Adalyn Yancey, Sayler Melton, Louis Martinez, Jagger McCabe (2), Addie Dixon; Haileyville-Asyrian Seegel; Lakewood-Jessica Gragert (2), Jadelynn Gragert (2).
Green Participation Ribbons (Clover-buds grades K-2)-
Blocker 4-H-Emmerlynn Allen (2 ribbons), Gabriel Durossette (2); Frink-Chambers-Ansley Willie, Raelyn Willie; Haileyville-Rylee McGuire, Jade Isom.
For more information about this and other 4-H events and activities please give us a call at 423-4120 or email me at greg.owen@okstate.edu.
Miriam Munguia. All images courtesy of Chronicle Book, shared with permission
Spurred by the belief that art changes lives, Florence and Elias Katz founded Creativity Explored in 1983, a San Francisco-based nonprofit studio and gallery designed for disabled neurodivergent artists. More than 135 people currently participate in its programming, learning techniques across painting, drawing, clay, textiles, and more. They also sell and exhibit their works in museums, galleries, and art fairs worldwide.
A new book edited by Ann Kappes, Creativity Explored’s director of artist partnerships, celebrates the organization’s 40th anniversary and continued support of artists with a diverse range of abilities. Art Is Art: Collaborating with Neurodiverse Artists at Creativity Explored features hundreds of works organized by themes like “Dance Party!,” “I Speak Through My Art,” and “Blackiful.” While some chapters highlight single artists, others, like “Mail Art Club,” situate an ongoing group project within the broader realm of art history.
Originating in the 1960s with the Fluxus movement, mail art resurged during the pandemic, including with the artists of Creativity Explored. Teachers began connecting with their students via USPS and Zoom, sending each other letters and packages containing their artworks when they were unable to gather in the studio. This imaginative way of exchanging art and ideas continues now that artists are back together in person, and the Mail Art Club still meets regularly.
Another chapter is dedicated to Camille Holvoet, who’s been working with the organization since 2001, and creates mixed-media renderings of pills and syrups to remedy any issue. Titled “Medicine Helps,” the section presents several of her stylized, witty pharmaceuticals and their purposes, from “Anti-Worrying Pills about Anything” to “A Pill for Doing What I Am Supposed to Do.” Along with a description of her practice and thinking, Holvoet relatably adds, “Making art is the hardest part of art.”
Art Is Art is published by Chronicle Books and available from Bookshop.
Yukari Sakura
Joseph Omolayole
Christina Fong
James Miles
Albert Duong
Kevin Roach
Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article ‘Art Is Art’ Celebrates the Vast and Varied Creativity of Hundreds of Disabled Neurodiverse Artists appeared first on Colossal.
