Philippe Halsman

Philippe Halsman (1906–1979) was born in Latvia but established his career in Paris, where he became known as one of the most promising photographers of his generation. In 1940, he emigrated to the United States, where his career promptly soared a he began working for LIFE magazine, shooting a record 101 LIFE covers. His original style of portraiture brought a candid feeling to even the most elaborately posed pho­tographs. For his famous “jump” series, he photographed his subjects—including President Nixon and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor—as they jumped in the air. Halsman’s contributions to the art of portraiture are innumerable, and his photographs will forever remain the defining images of mid-century American popular culture.