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.
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.
