-
Overview
"I want my pictures to tell a story, not sell a story. have always tried to give people dignity in my pictures. That is what it’s all about for me.”
Terry O’Neill is one of the world’s most collected photographers with work hanging in national art galleries and private collections worldwide. From presidents to pop stars he has photographed the frontline of fame for over six decades.
O’Neill began his career at the birth of the 1960s. While other photographers concentrated on earthquakes, wars and politics, O’Neill realized that youth culture was a breaking news story on a global scale and began chronicling the emerging faces of film, fashion and music who would go on to define the Swinging Sixties. By 1965 he was being commissioned by the biggest magazines and newspapers in the world. The Terry O’Neill archive embraces the span of fame like no other. He photographed The Beatles and The Rolling Stones when they were still struggling young bands in 1963, pioneered backstage reportage photography with David Bowie and Elton John and worked with such luminaries as Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Frank Sinatra, Michael Caine, Audrey Hepburn, Faye Dunaway, Raquel Welch, Brigitte Bardot, Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Amy Winehouse and countless others.
Terry O’Neill was awarded the Royal Photographic Society Centenary Medal in 2011 in recognition of his significant contribution to the art of photography and an Honorary Fellowship of The Society. O’Neill was awarded a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for services to Photography in 2019’s Queen’s Birthday Honors list. O’Neill noted at the time that it was “a huge honor. And I’m incredibly humbled by it. It’s a real recognition for the art of photography, as well. This isn’t just for me of course, it’s for everyone who has helped me along the way. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”
-
Select Photography By Terry O'Niell
-
-
Series
Terry O'Neill
Jagger Hair CutSilver Gelatin Print16 x 20 in
40.6 x 50.8 cmSigned, Edition of 50Series: Mick JaggerCopyright The ArtistTerry O'Neill's photograph of Mick Jagger getting a haircut is a candid and intimate glimpse into the life of one of rock music's most iconic figures. Taken during a moment...Terry O'Neill's photograph of Mick Jagger getting a haircut is a candid and intimate glimpse into the life of one of rock music's most iconic figures. Taken during a moment of quiet preparation amidst the whirlwind of stardom, this image captures Jagger in a rare state of vulnerability, revealing a side of the legendary Rolling Stones frontman that is seldom seen by the public.
In the photograph, Jagger sits calmly in a barber's chair, his famous locks being tended to by a skilled hand. The act of having his hair cut, a routine ritual for most, takes on added significance when applied to someone as emblematic as Jagger. Here, O'Neill captures the transformation of a rock 'n' roll icon from his larger-than-life stage persona to a more human and relatable figure, reminding viewers that even the most legendary figures have moments of quiet introspection and vulnerability.
O'Neill's composition is simple yet powerful, focusing the viewer's attention squarely on Jagger's face and the skilled hands of the barber. The lighting is soft and diffused, lending the image an aura of intimacy and warmth. Through his lens, O'Neill captures the essence of Jagger's magnetic charm and charisma, even in the most ordinary of moments.
This photograph of Mick Jagger getting a haircut is more than just a documentation of a mundane task; it is a testament to O'Neill's ability to capture the humanity behind the celebrity façade. It serves as a reminder that even icons like Jagger are, at their core, just people, with their own fears, insecurities, and moments of quiet contemplation. In this sense, O'Neill's photograph transcends its subject matter to become a timeless meditation on the nature of fame, identity, and the human condition.
News-
Now On View
September 2024 September 3, 2024Keith Haring’s Pop Shop 6 Quad showcases the artist's iconic style and vibrant use of color. This silkscreen print, composed of four panels, captures Haring's...Read more -
Capturing Brigitte Bardot
Terry O'Neill's Intimate Portraits of an Icon May 23, 2024Terry O'Neill and Brigitte Bardot shared a professional relationship that produced some of the most iconic and sought-after images in photographic history. O'Neill , a...Read more -
Faye Dunaway Through the Lens of Terry O'Neill
A Glimpse of Glory April 9, 2024A deep dive into one of Terry O'Neill's most iconic photographs, Faye Dunaway The Morning After the Oscars.Read more -
Elton John Through the Lens of Terry O'Neill
Shooting Stardom March 1, 2024In the world of iconic collaborations, there exists a captivating intersection where music meets imagery, personified by the enduring partnership between Elton John and Terry...Read more -
The Collection of Sir Elton John
Top Highlights of the Christie's Auction February 22, 2024The highly anticipated Christie's New York Auction of Sir Elton John's collection brings us into the iconic contemporary collection of a living music legend. From...Read more -
Iconic Impressions
Terry O'Neill's Legacy in Photography February 22, 2024Renowned photographer Terry O'Neill , whose lens immortalized some of the most iconic figures of the 20th and 21st centuries, left a lasting legacy that...Read more -
Terry O'Neill on view at the Arlo Hotel
A conversation about the artist's legacy December 20, 2023In conversation with Guy Hepner and the Arlo Hotel, discussing the iconic legacy of Terry O'Neiil's photography. Faye Dunaway, Brigitte Bardot, Audrey Hepburn, Mick Jagger, and more.Read more