The Key To A Good Celebrity Shoot? Don’t Make It Feel Like A Trip To The Dentist

Poolside with Diddy? Check. Naked with Chlo Sevigny? Check. On stage with Joss Stone? Check. During his 20-year career as a celebrity photographer for the likes of GQ, W, and Vogue, Michael Thompson has gained access to some of the most legendary names in Hollywood and the music industry, from Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts to Sting and Britney Spears. The proofs in his new book, Portraits.

Pride of placethe covergoes to the star Thompson remembered most fondly out of all the celebrities hes worked with: Diddy. He arrived on set at a giant mansion in Malibu, with the whole entourage and it was just a crazy day, Thompson told Style.com at Bar Basque last night, where he celebrated the book with friends, including Leelee Sobieski and Adam Kimmel (above, with Thompson), Glenn OBrien, Marcus Wainwright, David Neville, and Gucci Westman. He always comes to the set with an idea in mind and this time, it was sort of Great Gatsby, done in a P. Diddy way.

Thats the Diddy way. The Thompson way? I try to create a relaxed atmosphere during hair and makeup, so it doesnt feel like going to the dentist to get photos done, the photographer revealed. I wanted them to lose themselves in the process. Theres one in particular hes hoping will undergo that process soon: Robert De Niro. If he would open himself up to a great still session, it would be wonderful, Thompson said with a smile.

tags: Adam Kimmel, David Neville, Glenn O’Brien, Gucci Westman, Leelee Sobieski, Marcus Wainwright, Michael Thompson

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