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Capturing the Capturer: Vintage Photos of Celebrities with Their Cameras

There’s something uniquely captivating about seeing a celebrity behind the lens, rather than in front of it. Vintage photos of stars posing with their cameras offer a fascinating glimpse into their personal lives and creative passions beyond the spotlight.

These images reveal a different side to the icons we admire. We see them not as glamorous figures on the red carpet, but as individuals with a curiosity about the world and a desire to capture its beauty through their own eyes. Some hold vintage cameras, showcasing a love for the craft and its history. Others sport sleek, modern models, hinting at a tech-savvy side.

These photographs also serve as a reminder that, in a world before smartphones, photography was a more deliberate act. It required skill, patience, and a keen eye for composition. By taking up the camera, these celebrities weren’t just documenting their lives; they were actively engaging with their surroundings and expressing their creativity.

There’s an intimacy to these images that’s often absent from staged studio portraits. We see candid smiles, playful poses, and a genuine enthusiasm for photography. It’s a reminder that even the most famous among us have hobbies and passions that ground them, connecting them to the everyday world.

#2 Grace Kelly taking Frank Sinatra’s photo with a Hasselblad

#7 Buzz Aldrin shot by Neil Armstrong (who you can also see in the helmet reflection). Buzz is holding his Hasselblad and Neil is using one to take the photo.

#23 James Dean taking a photograph of Anna Maria Pierangeli with a Rolleiflex

#24 Angelina Jolie with a large format bellows camera

#26 Paul McCartney self portrait with a twin reflex camera

#28 Robert Plant and Jimmy Page with Nikon F2 cameras

Written by Heather Brown

Heather Brown is a writer and historian with a passion for all things vintage. She shares her knowledge of the past through her blog, with a particular focus on historical photos and the stories they tell.

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