Jake Chessum

Jake Chessum is a British photographer known for his relaxed, intimate portraits of some of the most recognisable figures in music, film and contemporary culture. Growing up in Croydon, South London, he studied Graphic Design at St. Martins School of Art before turning to photography.

During the 1990s, Chessum became a regular contributor to The Face, photographing artists and actors including Beck, the Beastie Boys, Aaliyah, Quentin Tarantino and Ice Cube at a formative moment in their careers. He later moved permanently to New York, where he continued to build a career across editorial, portrait and commercial photography.

Over the years, Chessum has photographed an extraordinary range of subjects, including David Bowie, Heath Ledger, Robin Williams, Nicole Kidman, Elisabeth Moss, Snoop Dogg, Robert De Niro, Jay-Z, Natalie Portman, Emma Stone and Martin Scorsese. His work is characterised by an ease and directness that allows personality to come through without feeling overly staged.

Alongside his editorial work, Chessum has produced limited-edition fine art portraits, including photographs of Amy Winehouse, Robbie Williams, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg and Jay-Z. His photographs combine the immediacy of magazine portraiture with a strong sense of character, timing and human presence.