Kwaku Alston is an American photographer. His editorial work has been featured in The New York Times Magazine, Rolling Stone, Time, Men’s Health, Essence, and Men’s Journal, among many others. He has photographed ads for a wide range of clients, including Coca-Cola, BlackBerry, Target, and Verizon. He has also photographed President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama on several occasions, including for Essence. Alston is based in Venice, California, and is represented by Stockland Martel.
Catch an exclusive interview with celebrated celebrity photographer Kwaku Alston.
Read the full story at magazine.ucla.edu
published: 07 Nov 2023
Kwaku Alston
Celebrity photography is more than getting a star to smile. Kwaku Alston shares techniques and insights on getting great portrait photos.
published: 23 Feb 2009
Photographer Kwaku Alston Talks About His Journey to Picking Up the Camera and More
Our Editor-in-Chief Eric K. Thomas chats with world-renowned photographer Kwaku Alston about what got him into photography, what he thinks about advancing technology and advice he gives to up and coming photographers.
published: 11 Mar 2022
#LeicaConversations - Black Hollywood: Here Before Now - Kwaku Alston
What does today’s Black Hollywood look like through the lens of a seasoned Black photographer? What does it mean to be positioned as a standard bearer or gatekeeper of sorts, when it comes to the creation of imagery that will ultimately be used to sell to and be relatable to diverse audiences? What is the view from the intersection where deep experience, sweat equity, and professional growth meet the demands of cultural commerce and the institutions that still hold sway in determining which photographers get which assignments?
Alston examines how he chooses to represent himself, a person of color, within the context of commercial photography and advertising. The emerging black aesthetic is grounded in dynamic and debatable notions of black authenticity and cultural relevance. He will pres...
published: 27 Feb 2021
Campus Connection: Photographer Kwaku Alston returns to RIT
Kwaku Alston, known for his creative photographic portraits of celebrities, returned to his roots at Rochester Institute of Technology, where he was recognized at this year's Distinguished Alumni Awards. Alston is internationally known as a celebrity, advertising and journalistic photographer who has crafted memorable images for well-known publications and companies including The New York Times, Time, Essence, People, Target and Verizon. His portraits of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, statesman and activist Nelson Mandala and celebrities Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Aniston and Drew Barrymore highlight Alston's unique ability to capture the expressive nuances of his subjects' personalities.
published: 20 Apr 2012
Djimon Hounsou x Dylan George x Arri
I was asked by Dylan George to create images for their men’s Fall capsule collection featuring Djimon Hounsou.
My creative partners at @ARRIChannel reached out to me that same week to try their new line of Signature Zooms and this was the perfect opportunity to bridge two brands with great talent and direct a motion piece.
Motion footage shot on the Arri Alexa Mini LF with DP @bartenal_dp / Wardrobe stylist @ashleynorthstyle / MUA @oliviafischamakeup
published: 29 Sep 2022
Nikon Live at PhotoPlus Expo 2018: Kwaku Alston
Watch as Kwaku Alston talks about Capturing Iconic Portraits at PhotoPlus Expo 2018 in New York, NY.
published: 02 Nov 2018
Mixed Reality Film Set | Future of Photo/Video Shoots ft Kwaku Alston | Arri Orbiter | Unreal Engine
Thanks Arri for Having us out! Check out the new Arri Orbiter - https://microsites.arri.com/orbiter/
Shoutout to Kwaku Alston for Hanging out with us! Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kwakualston/ | Website - https://kwakualston.com/ | Blog https://artofstudioblog.wordpress.com/
♪♪ Music for this video from Epidemic - Try Free https://bit.ly/31sWjuc
►GEAR
Camera Gear I use for Youtube - https://kit.co/PotatoJet/my-favorite-camera-gear
Favorite Budget Friendly Camera Gear - https://kit.co/PotatoJet/favorite-budget-friendly-gear
My Favorite Camera Gear for Pro Work - https://kit.co/PotatoJet/favorite-pro-cinema-camera-setup
My Editing Setup - https://kit.co/PotatoJet/my-editing-setup
►Vlog Channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/genenagata
►Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/genena...
published: 04 Jan 2022
Who is your favorite photographer? Kwaku Alston is mine!
Our Editor-in-Chief Eric K. Thomas chats with world-renowned photographer Kwaku Alston about what got him into photography, what he thinks about advancing techn...
Our Editor-in-Chief Eric K. Thomas chats with world-renowned photographer Kwaku Alston about what got him into photography, what he thinks about advancing technology and advice he gives to up and coming photographers.
Our Editor-in-Chief Eric K. Thomas chats with world-renowned photographer Kwaku Alston about what got him into photography, what he thinks about advancing technology and advice he gives to up and coming photographers.
What does today’s Black Hollywood look like through the lens of a seasoned Black photographer? What does it mean to be positioned as a standard bearer or gateke...
What does today’s Black Hollywood look like through the lens of a seasoned Black photographer? What does it mean to be positioned as a standard bearer or gatekeeper of sorts, when it comes to the creation of imagery that will ultimately be used to sell to and be relatable to diverse audiences? What is the view from the intersection where deep experience, sweat equity, and professional growth meet the demands of cultural commerce and the institutions that still hold sway in determining which photographers get which assignments?
Alston examines how he chooses to represent himself, a person of color, within the context of commercial photography and advertising. The emerging black aesthetic is grounded in dynamic and debatable notions of black authenticity and cultural relevance. He will present images that span a 25 year career that has visually contributed to the black narrative in Hollywood. Portraits and editorial work from Hollywood glossy magazines to key art for movie posters, and rare behind-the-scenes images of day to day Black Hollywood. Additionally, he will share some of the insights and stories behind the image-making process.
This Leica Conversation is presented in partnership with Photoville.
BIO:
Kwaku has photographed some of the most famous faces of our time—from Oscar and Grammy winners to Barack Obama and the First Family. His many and diverse clients include The New York Times Magazine, Time and Essence Magazine, global brands like Amgen, Pfizer, Coca-Cola, Target and Verizon, and media giants such as Universal Studios, Disney, Amazon, Sony Music and ESPN. His portraits have a fresh, unaffected feel, and yet they celebrate the extra-ordinariness of his subjects, striking a balance between contemporary documentary photography and classic celebrity portraiture. After graduating from the Rochester Institute of Technology, Kwaku launched his career in New York City and began shooting for major magazines and ad agencies while in his early 20s. Today he bases himself out of both New York and Los Angeles and his photos have appeared on everything from movie posters, to the covers of best selling books, to advertising spreads for international brands such as Apple and HBO. Kwaku has also partnered with a variety of charities and nonprofits, including the Design-A-Cure Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, the Black AIDS Institute, and the Smiley Faces Foundation. Giving both his work and his time, he traveled to Ethiopia to document a “shoe drop” by TOMS Shoes, which donates footwear to children in need worldwide. Kwaku’s world travels continue to inform his work and remind him that curiosity, encouragement and sincerity are universal languages. As the Director of Photography on a documentary titled In Search of Voodoo, he has made multiple trips to West Africa, and is inspired to bridge still photography and film-making to tell great stories.
What does today’s Black Hollywood look like through the lens of a seasoned Black photographer? What does it mean to be positioned as a standard bearer or gatekeeper of sorts, when it comes to the creation of imagery that will ultimately be used to sell to and be relatable to diverse audiences? What is the view from the intersection where deep experience, sweat equity, and professional growth meet the demands of cultural commerce and the institutions that still hold sway in determining which photographers get which assignments?
Alston examines how he chooses to represent himself, a person of color, within the context of commercial photography and advertising. The emerging black aesthetic is grounded in dynamic and debatable notions of black authenticity and cultural relevance. He will present images that span a 25 year career that has visually contributed to the black narrative in Hollywood. Portraits and editorial work from Hollywood glossy magazines to key art for movie posters, and rare behind-the-scenes images of day to day Black Hollywood. Additionally, he will share some of the insights and stories behind the image-making process.
This Leica Conversation is presented in partnership with Photoville.
BIO:
Kwaku has photographed some of the most famous faces of our time—from Oscar and Grammy winners to Barack Obama and the First Family. His many and diverse clients include The New York Times Magazine, Time and Essence Magazine, global brands like Amgen, Pfizer, Coca-Cola, Target and Verizon, and media giants such as Universal Studios, Disney, Amazon, Sony Music and ESPN. His portraits have a fresh, unaffected feel, and yet they celebrate the extra-ordinariness of his subjects, striking a balance between contemporary documentary photography and classic celebrity portraiture. After graduating from the Rochester Institute of Technology, Kwaku launched his career in New York City and began shooting for major magazines and ad agencies while in his early 20s. Today he bases himself out of both New York and Los Angeles and his photos have appeared on everything from movie posters, to the covers of best selling books, to advertising spreads for international brands such as Apple and HBO. Kwaku has also partnered with a variety of charities and nonprofits, including the Design-A-Cure Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, the Black AIDS Institute, and the Smiley Faces Foundation. Giving both his work and his time, he traveled to Ethiopia to document a “shoe drop” by TOMS Shoes, which donates footwear to children in need worldwide. Kwaku’s world travels continue to inform his work and remind him that curiosity, encouragement and sincerity are universal languages. As the Director of Photography on a documentary titled In Search of Voodoo, he has made multiple trips to West Africa, and is inspired to bridge still photography and film-making to tell great stories.
Kwaku Alston, known for his creative photographic portraits of celebrities, returned to his roots at Rochester Institute of Technology, where he was recognized ...
Kwaku Alston, known for his creative photographic portraits of celebrities, returned to his roots at Rochester Institute of Technology, where he was recognized at this year's Distinguished Alumni Awards. Alston is internationally known as a celebrity, advertising and journalistic photographer who has crafted memorable images for well-known publications and companies including The New York Times, Time, Essence, People, Target and Verizon. His portraits of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, statesman and activist Nelson Mandala and celebrities Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Aniston and Drew Barrymore highlight Alston's unique ability to capture the expressive nuances of his subjects' personalities.
Kwaku Alston, known for his creative photographic portraits of celebrities, returned to his roots at Rochester Institute of Technology, where he was recognized at this year's Distinguished Alumni Awards. Alston is internationally known as a celebrity, advertising and journalistic photographer who has crafted memorable images for well-known publications and companies including The New York Times, Time, Essence, People, Target and Verizon. His portraits of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, statesman and activist Nelson Mandala and celebrities Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Aniston and Drew Barrymore highlight Alston's unique ability to capture the expressive nuances of his subjects' personalities.
I was asked by Dylan George to create images for their men’s Fall capsule collection featuring Djimon Hounsou.
My creative partners at @ARRIChannel reached out...
I was asked by Dylan George to create images for their men’s Fall capsule collection featuring Djimon Hounsou.
My creative partners at @ARRIChannel reached out to me that same week to try their new line of Signature Zooms and this was the perfect opportunity to bridge two brands with great talent and direct a motion piece.
Motion footage shot on the Arri Alexa Mini LF with DP @bartenal_dp / Wardrobe stylist @ashleynorthstyle / MUA @oliviafischamakeup
I was asked by Dylan George to create images for their men’s Fall capsule collection featuring Djimon Hounsou.
My creative partners at @ARRIChannel reached out to me that same week to try their new line of Signature Zooms and this was the perfect opportunity to bridge two brands with great talent and direct a motion piece.
Motion footage shot on the Arri Alexa Mini LF with DP @bartenal_dp / Wardrobe stylist @ashleynorthstyle / MUA @oliviafischamakeup
Thanks Arri for Having us out! Check out the new Arri Orbiter - https://microsites.arri.com/orbiter/
Shoutout to Kwaku Alston for Hanging out with us! Instagram...
Thanks Arri for Having us out! Check out the new Arri Orbiter - https://microsites.arri.com/orbiter/
Shoutout to Kwaku Alston for Hanging out with us! Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kwakualston/ | Website - https://kwakualston.com/ | Blog https://artofstudioblog.wordpress.com/
♪♪ Music for this video from Epidemic - Try Free https://bit.ly/31sWjuc
►GEAR
Camera Gear I use for Youtube - https://kit.co/PotatoJet/my-favorite-camera-gear
Favorite Budget Friendly Camera Gear - https://kit.co/PotatoJet/favorite-budget-friendly-gear
My Favorite Camera Gear for Pro Work - https://kit.co/PotatoJet/favorite-pro-cinema-camera-setup
My Editing Setup - https://kit.co/PotatoJet/my-editing-setup
►Vlog Channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/genenagata
►Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/genenagata/
Thanks Arri for Having us out! Check out the new Arri Orbiter - https://microsites.arri.com/orbiter/
Shoutout to Kwaku Alston for Hanging out with us! Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kwakualston/ | Website - https://kwakualston.com/ | Blog https://artofstudioblog.wordpress.com/
♪♪ Music for this video from Epidemic - Try Free https://bit.ly/31sWjuc
►GEAR
Camera Gear I use for Youtube - https://kit.co/PotatoJet/my-favorite-camera-gear
Favorite Budget Friendly Camera Gear - https://kit.co/PotatoJet/favorite-budget-friendly-gear
My Favorite Camera Gear for Pro Work - https://kit.co/PotatoJet/favorite-pro-cinema-camera-setup
My Editing Setup - https://kit.co/PotatoJet/my-editing-setup
►Vlog Channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/genenagata
►Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/genenagata/
Our Editor-in-Chief Eric K. Thomas chats with world-renowned photographer Kwaku Alston about what got him into photography, what he thinks about advancing technology and advice he gives to up and coming photographers.
What does today’s Black Hollywood look like through the lens of a seasoned Black photographer? What does it mean to be positioned as a standard bearer or gatekeeper of sorts, when it comes to the creation of imagery that will ultimately be used to sell to and be relatable to diverse audiences? What is the view from the intersection where deep experience, sweat equity, and professional growth meet the demands of cultural commerce and the institutions that still hold sway in determining which photographers get which assignments?
Alston examines how he chooses to represent himself, a person of color, within the context of commercial photography and advertising. The emerging black aesthetic is grounded in dynamic and debatable notions of black authenticity and cultural relevance. He will present images that span a 25 year career that has visually contributed to the black narrative in Hollywood. Portraits and editorial work from Hollywood glossy magazines to key art for movie posters, and rare behind-the-scenes images of day to day Black Hollywood. Additionally, he will share some of the insights and stories behind the image-making process.
This Leica Conversation is presented in partnership with Photoville.
BIO:
Kwaku has photographed some of the most famous faces of our time—from Oscar and Grammy winners to Barack Obama and the First Family. His many and diverse clients include The New York Times Magazine, Time and Essence Magazine, global brands like Amgen, Pfizer, Coca-Cola, Target and Verizon, and media giants such as Universal Studios, Disney, Amazon, Sony Music and ESPN. His portraits have a fresh, unaffected feel, and yet they celebrate the extra-ordinariness of his subjects, striking a balance between contemporary documentary photography and classic celebrity portraiture. After graduating from the Rochester Institute of Technology, Kwaku launched his career in New York City and began shooting for major magazines and ad agencies while in his early 20s. Today he bases himself out of both New York and Los Angeles and his photos have appeared on everything from movie posters, to the covers of best selling books, to advertising spreads for international brands such as Apple and HBO. Kwaku has also partnered with a variety of charities and nonprofits, including the Design-A-Cure Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, the Black AIDS Institute, and the Smiley Faces Foundation. Giving both his work and his time, he traveled to Ethiopia to document a “shoe drop” by TOMS Shoes, which donates footwear to children in need worldwide. Kwaku’s world travels continue to inform his work and remind him that curiosity, encouragement and sincerity are universal languages. As the Director of Photography on a documentary titled In Search of Voodoo, he has made multiple trips to West Africa, and is inspired to bridge still photography and film-making to tell great stories.
Kwaku Alston, known for his creative photographic portraits of celebrities, returned to his roots at Rochester Institute of Technology, where he was recognized at this year's Distinguished Alumni Awards. Alston is internationally known as a celebrity, advertising and journalistic photographer who has crafted memorable images for well-known publications and companies including The New York Times, Time, Essence, People, Target and Verizon. His portraits of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, statesman and activist Nelson Mandala and celebrities Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Aniston and Drew Barrymore highlight Alston's unique ability to capture the expressive nuances of his subjects' personalities.
I was asked by Dylan George to create images for their men’s Fall capsule collection featuring Djimon Hounsou.
My creative partners at @ARRIChannel reached out to me that same week to try their new line of Signature Zooms and this was the perfect opportunity to bridge two brands with great talent and direct a motion piece.
Motion footage shot on the Arri Alexa Mini LF with DP @bartenal_dp / Wardrobe stylist @ashleynorthstyle / MUA @oliviafischamakeup
Thanks Arri for Having us out! Check out the new Arri Orbiter - https://microsites.arri.com/orbiter/
Shoutout to Kwaku Alston for Hanging out with us! Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kwakualston/ | Website - https://kwakualston.com/ | Blog https://artofstudioblog.wordpress.com/
♪♪ Music for this video from Epidemic - Try Free https://bit.ly/31sWjuc
►GEAR
Camera Gear I use for Youtube - https://kit.co/PotatoJet/my-favorite-camera-gear
Favorite Budget Friendly Camera Gear - https://kit.co/PotatoJet/favorite-budget-friendly-gear
My Favorite Camera Gear for Pro Work - https://kit.co/PotatoJet/favorite-pro-cinema-camera-setup
My Editing Setup - https://kit.co/PotatoJet/my-editing-setup
►Vlog Channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/genenagata
►Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/genenagata/
Kwaku Alston is an American photographer. His editorial work has been featured in The New York Times Magazine, Rolling Stone, Time, Men’s Health, Essence, and Men’s Journal, among many others. He has photographed ads for a wide range of clients, including Coca-Cola, BlackBerry, Target, and Verizon. He has also photographed President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama on several occasions, including for Essence. Alston is based in Venice, California, and is represented by Stockland Martel.
... her wit and warmth with viewers for seven decades,” the Postal Service said in announcing the stamp, which depicts a smiling White based on a 2010 photograph by celebrity photographer Kwaku Alston.
... her wit and warmth with viewers for seven decades,” the Postal Service said in announcing the stamp, which depicts a smiling White based on a 2010 photograph by celebrity photographer Kwaku Alston.
... her wit and warmth with viewers for seven decades,” the Postal Service said in announcing the stamp, which depicts a smiling White based on a 2010 photograph by celebrity photographer Kwaku Alston.
DOMINIC GENETTI The Telegraph, Alton, Ill. WASHINGTON, D.C. — Her star shined brightly across generations for decades, and now the U.S ... "Dale Stephanos created the digital illustration based on a 2010 photograph by Kwaku Alston ...Listen now and subscribe.
... her wit and warmth with viewers for seven decades,” the Postal Service said in announcing the stamp, which depicts a smiling White based on a 2010 photograph by celebrity photographer Kwaku Alston.
Betty White, who died in 2021 after a decades-spanning career in television, will be honored with a postage stamp in 2025, the U.S.Postal Service announced Friday. The stamp is based on a 2010 photograph by Kwaku Alston and was ... .
A beloved American actress will once again bring joy to households nationwide but in a completely different format ... The stamp is a digital illustration created by Dale Stephanos of a 2010 photograph by Kwaku Alston ... WatchWPXI NOW ... ....
The U.S ... The digital illustration of White was created by Dan Stephanos, based on a 2010 photo taken by Kwaku Alston, and the stamp was designed by GregBreeding, an art director for the Postal Service... More nation ... ....
Betty White, known for her role as Rose Nylund on 'Golden Girls,' dies ...The U.S ... The stamp shows the late "Golden Girls" star grinning on a violet background, a digital illustration created by Dale Stephanos based on a 2010 photo by Kwaku Alston.
The late actor Betty White will be honored with a US postage stamp bearing her likeness starting in 2025, according to officials ... The stamp features a digitally created portrait of White based on a 2010 photograph of her taken by Kwaku Alston ... USPS ... .
The U.S.Postal Service announced Friday that it would release a stamp in 2025 featuring a digital illustration based on a 2010 photograph by Kwaku Alston of White dressed in purple ... The show ran from 1985-92 ... .