Terry O'Neill: Capturing Celebrity
A new exhibition at the Maddox Gallery in Gstaad, Switzerland shows off some of his best work, alongside his recollections.
For more than 60 years, British photographer Terry O'Neill, who died in November 2019, photographed many of the biggest names from the worlds of film, fashion and music.
The Beatles, London, 1963
Audrey Hepburn, South of France, 1966
"During breaks between scenes filming Two for the Road, someone set up a beach cricket game.
"Audrey jumped right in and started to play."
"These are great shots of not only a beautiful woman, but I hope these portray what she was like off-camera. She was one of the most kind and generous people I've ever worked with."
"She lit up a room and never took a bad picture. My job was easy - I just had to be there and press the button."
Frank Sinatra, Miami boardwalk, 1968
"Taken in black and white on the set of the 1968 film Lady in Cement, O'Neill's first encounter with Frank Sinatra was the start of a working relationship that would last nearly 30 years."
"In collaboration with digital artist Mariona Vilarós, O'Neill re-worked the image in colour."
"After that day, I could go anywhere with Frank. He allowed me to become a better photographer by simply letting me do my job. It was a real honour to work with the man, a privilege."
"I remember how nervous I was to finally meet Sinatra. And I remember the colours of the Miami sky and how blue the ocean was."
Peter Sellers and Roger Moore, Beverly Hills, 1970s
"People ask me all the time what my favourite Elton John picture is. And I can never really answer that because Elton graciously gave me so many opportunities to take a great picture."
"But this one really stands out. It's his confidence that he developed over time when in front of the camera - my camera - and, of course, the outfit. This is signature Elton."
Faye Dunaway, the morning after her Oscar win, March 1977
"I explained the idea to Faye and told her, 'listen, if you win, meet me by the pool at dawn. And bring the Oscar."
"This photo was just us. There was no stylists or PR, no lighting or assistants. And it only took a few moments."
"A few years later, I married her. A few years after that, we divorced."
"She would have fit right in with us back in 1964."
"She's another one where it's impossible to take a bad photo and that's why she's been at the top of her game since she started. I was lucky enough to be there at the start of her career, to take these portraits."
"She was delightful to work with. A real professional with a bit of fun."
Terry O'Neill, Iconic Images courtesy of Maddox Gallery
