Greg Gorman was born in 1949 in Kansas. He graduated from the Department of Photojournalism at the University of Kansas, and in 1972 from the University of California, he received a Master of Fine Arts degree in cinematography. It was then that he first became interested in portrait photography. It all started with his love of rock ‘n’ roll and a series of photographs taken at rock concerts in the late 1960s. In addition to portraits, he has also created music videos, television advertisements and magazine layouts.
Gorman made the final choice in favour of photography rather quickly. Already in the late 1980s, he became one of the most sought after photographers in Hollywood. He was solicited by Robert De Niro, Anthony Hopkins, Al Pacino, Christopher Walken, Mickey Rourke, Jamie Lee Curtis, Keanu Reeves, Kim Basinger, Sophia Loren. Through his photographs, one can study the celebrity cult so characteristic of the 20th century. Each frame demonstrates both the external attributes of creating the image of a star and the individual character of the person being portrayed. The photographs included in the books In Their Youth and Framed deserve special attention, these are previously unpublished portraits of Andy Warhol, Iman, Leonardo DiCaprio, Viggo Mortensen, Johnny Depp, Rupert Everett, Keanu Reeves, Jude Law and Tom Cruise. In the field of cinematography, Gorman has worked on many advertising campaigns, in particular, such films as «Tootsie», «Pirates of the Caribbean», «Pearl Harbor».
Gradually, Gorman expanded his range of interests by shooting in the nude genre. Shot without a background, in contrasting lighting, and nude figures appear in his photographs as equivalents of antique sculptures. Nothing is intended to shock the viewer, on the contrary, many models seem vulnerable and a little unsure of their beauty. «I think I was betting on innocence and vulnerability,» says Gorman. «For me, this is what adds sexuality and sensuality to the models.» His books As I see It and Just Between Us, based on nude photographs, have become as popular with viewers as portraits of celebrities.
Greg Gorman is recognized by professionals and the general public for his contributions to the world of photography. Among his awards are the Lifetime Achievement Award (2013) from the Professional Photographers of America, the Achievement in Portraiture Award (2012) from the Lucie Foundation and the Stars Design Award (2010) from the Pacific Design Center. The photographer also helps charities The Elton John Aids Foundation and Aids Healthcare Foundation.
