Sid Avery: The Art of the Hollywood Snapshot

James Dean on the set of Rebel Without a Cause; Audrey Hepburn on her bike with pet dog in tow; Marlon Brando taking out the garbage; Rock Hudson emerging from the shower; Elizabeth Taylor soaking up the sun. These are just a few of the iconic images for which Sid Avery is responsible. This sumptuous volume is a long overdue tribute to his prolific talent. The renowned photographer was one of the greatest names working in Hollywood from the 1940s to the 1960s, and became known for his candid portraits of the stars. He made history as the only photographer to shoot both the original 1960 cast of Ocean’s Eleven and the 2001 remake, recreating his iconic group shot around the pool table. Avery was also responsible for establishing Mptvimages: the Motion Picture and Television Photo Archive. Run today by Avery’s son, Ron, this publication has been produced together with mptvimages with full access granted to the depths of the archive. This complete anthology of Avery’s work includes outtakes and contact sheets, with over half of the material never-before-seen.

Sid Avery (1918–2002) was one of the biggest names in Hollywood portraiture in the 1950s and 1960s. He later also became one of the top names in advertising photography, as well as a successful commercial director. In the 1980s, he established the Motion Picture and Television Photo Archive. Avery’s son, Ron, has continued this legacy and under his ownership, Mptvimages is today recognized as one of the greatest archives of Hollywood imagery.