Celebrity Photographer in Los Angeles
For 27 years, David Christopher Lee has photographed the faces the world recognizes — actors, musicians, athletes and public figures at the height of their careers. Red carpets, press lines, editorial portraits and private sessions: this is celebrity photography done by someone who has done it thousands of times.
This is the working photographer's site. If you want the portfolio, start there — then come back when you're ready to book.
What I do
Red carpet and press. Premieres, award shows, after-parties — the controlled chaos of the press line, shot clean.
Editorial portraits. Magazine and publicity portraits with a point of view, lit and directed.
Live performance. Concerts, appearances and stage moments, caught without killing the energy.
Private sessions. Discreet one-on-one portrait sessions for public figures who need new images without the circus.
Why 27 years matters
Celebrity photography is 10 percent camera and 90 percent everything else: reading a room, earning trust in minutes, knowing when to shoot and when to disappear. Twenty-seven years of red carpets, press tours and private sessions means there is no situation I have not handled — and no timeline I cannot hit.
Speed without panic. Tight schedules, tighter turnarounds. I deliver.
Discretion as default. What happens on set stays on set.
Images with presence. The difference between a picture of a famous person and a portrait that matters.
Browse the celebrity portfolio for selected work, or read what a celebrity photographer costs before you reach out.
Who books these sessions
Publicists and managers. New headshots, press kits, tour imagery — fast, polished, on-brief.
Editorial clients. Magazines and outlets that need a celebrity portrait with a point of view.
Brands and agencies. Campaigns, endorsements and appearances that need a photographer who won't miss.
The subjects themselves. Actors, musicians and public figures who want portraits that actually look like them — only better.
What a session feels like
Sessions are calm, fast and directed. I light and pose with intention, keep the energy up, and get a full range of looks before anyone checks the time. Whether it's a 20-minute press portrait or a half-day editorial, you leave with images that feel effortless — because the effort happened before you arrived.
Most sessions include hair and makeup coordination, wardrobe guidance, and a pre-shoot consultation so nothing is improvised on the day.
Call +1 (510) 326-4934 to talk through your session.
- Reach out. Tell me about the session — who, where, when — through the contact page.
- Lock the details. Date, location, shot list, usage. You'll get a clear quote, not a mystery.
- Pre-production. Styling, hair and makeup, lighting plan — handled before shoot day.
- Shoot day. Calm, fast, directed. I run the set so you don't have to.
- Delivery. Edited, retouched selects delivered on the timeline we agreed — ready for press, print or social.
Start with step one: the contact page.
How celebrity sessions work
Every celebrity shoot starts with the purpose.
Album cover, luxury brand campaign, editorial, personal portraits. Each one gets a different approach. An album cover needs edge. A brand campaign needs polish. Tell me the vision and I'll build the shoot around it.
Studio or on location? Both.
My natural light studio gives you controlled, flattering light with white walls and backdrop options. On location, I shoot with the same natural light philosophy, no strobes. I have shot portraits backstage at award shows, on red carpets, and on set. Wherever the moment is, that is where I shoot.
Twenty seven years of this.
I have photographed Lady Gaga, the Kardashians, Richard Branson, and Britney Spears. My work has appeared in GQ, Vogue, InStyle, People, Teen, Men's Health, and Departures. When the stakes are high and there are no second takes, this is what I do.
What kind of celebrity photography do you do? Album covers, luxury brand campaigns, editorials, red carpet, and personal portraits. Each gets a different creative approach based on the purpose.
Do you shoot in studio or on location? Both. My natural light studio in Los Angeles, or on location anywhere. I have shot backstage at award shows and on red carpets.
What is your target budget range for celebrity sessions? Every project is custom. Contact me with the scope and I will put together a proposal.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a celebrity photographer cost? Rates depend on usage, location and production. For a detailed breakdown, read what a celebrity photographer costs, then contact for a quote.
How far in advance should I book? For studio portraits, a week or two is usually enough. For red carpet or event coverage, book as soon as the date is set — the calendar fills fast.
Do you travel for sessions? Yes. Based in Los Angeles, available worldwide.
Can I keep the session private? Yes. Discretion is standard — no social posts, no portfolio use without your written approval.
What do I get after the shoot? Edited, retouched selects delivered digitally, ready for press, print or social — on the timeline we agree before the shoot.
How do I book? Through the contact page, or call +1 (510) 326-4934.
