What a celebrity photographer does on the Oscars red carpet

the Angels
cnn
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It’s been more than a century since theater magnate Sid Grauman introduced the concept of the Hollywood red carpet in 1922. premiere of “Robin Hood”. Since then, Tinseltown tradition has seen stars attend movie premieres, festivals and awards ceremonies decked out in couture, debuting new looks or new relationships (or, perhaps, subtly hinting at a breakup) with photographers capturing every one of his movements.

These creatives behind the lens are a crucial link between celebrities and civilians; her work serves as an arbiter of the trends, beauty and aspirations of the moment, as well as visual time capsules for years to come. Photographer Chelsea Lauren has documented the red carpet scene for photo agency Shutterstock for nearly a decade.

Each year from January to April, Lauren photographs most of the major awards ceremonies: the Golden Globes, the Emmys, and the Grammys, along with other industry events such as the Costume Design Guild Awards and the Independent Spirit Awards. It’s a hectic time.

Considered the celebrity event of the year, with its 900-foot-long red carpet running down Hollywood Boulevard to the Dolby Theatre, the Oscars are on another level.

There’s a hierarchy to arrivals: Non-celebrity attendees take a less central route down the red carpet, while bigger stars arrive at the back. But Lauren admits it can be overwhelming, even for some of the seasoned celebrities in attendance. It’s loud (photographers compete for the stars’ attention by shouting their names) and, despite a sea of ​​professional lights, camera flashes go off everywhere as TV cameras record live.

“A lot of (actors) tell me that they look for me on the carpet because it makes them feel calmer and safer,” Lauren told CNN. “That’s a lot of reason to be yelled at like that… Sometimes they stop posing and run up to me on the carpet to give me a hug.”

Having worked the circuit for several years, Lauren says that many celebrities have begun to feel comfortable in her presence; some have even become friends. She cites people like Paris Hilton (Lauren took her wedding photos), singer Janelle Monáe, and actor and 2024 Oscar nominee Colman Domingo. “He is the most beautiful, wonderful human being in the world,” she said of the “Rustin” star. “I’m very proud of him and watching him flourish this season.”

While the stars show off their best, Oscar photographers also have to put on a show. It is one of the only awards shows where there is a dress code, even for those covering the event: long dresses for women and suits for men.

Sartorial mishaps are a major concern for celebrities in the media; Lauren recounts a time when one of her helped her bond with actor Daniel Kaluuya at a pre-Oscars party after someone spilled red wine on her suit. “I had a stain remover in my purse that I had just received that day… We spent like 20 minutes trying to get this stain out,” she recalled. When they were unsuccessful, Lauren helped carry him out of the party so the other photographers wouldn’t see him. The next day on the Oscars red carpet, Kaluuya pointed at Lauren and yelled “You’re my G!” “It’s just little moments like that,” she said. “I treat people like people and not like ATMs. Sometimes they result in some fun photos.”

While it’s undoubtedly fun, being a red carpet photographer isn’t all glamour. Lauren says people don’t realize how much there is to do at once: from recognizing, by name, the hundreds of celebrities who pass through her lens to getting a variety of images of each person.

Every year for the Oscars, Lauren’s assignment changes. Sometimes it’s filming the show, executive arrivals, or the after-party. This year, she is only photographing arrivals, as the next morning she will be on a plane to photograph studio portraits at South by Southwest. “Once that’s done, maybe she can sleep,” she laughed.

With a warm attitude and talent behind the lens, Lauren is a celebrity photographer by nature, but her career began as a hobby. (Growing up in the Los Angeles suburbs, Lauren also worked as a child actress, but she now says she’s much happier as a “celebrity neighbor.”) “When I was younger, my grandparents gave me a nice camera and I used to take it everywhere,” she told CNN. Finally, when her portfolio was strong enough, Lauren looked for work at an agency. “I brought a big book of photographs, all old school, and I dropped it in,” says Lauren. She got the job and worked for the agency for about seven years until Shutterstock hired her.

A lot has changed since Lauren began her career. Back then, she was one of “very few” women on the red carpet: she estimates only 30 percent of the press pool, and the rest were “significantly older men.”

“I don’t like conflict at all,” Lauren said. “And other photographers were trying to pressure me or claim their territory and say, ‘You can’t do this.’ You go here.’ Now I say, ‘No, I’m fine here.’ I’m going to stand firm. I wish I had been a little more aggressive about it,” she said.

Now, however, the gender split is approaching 50/50, which has led to changes in events. “I’ve definitely seen a change. Certain behaviors are not as acceptable anymore, which is really wonderful because it became a more welcoming place for women to work,” she said. “Diversity is increasing overall, which is wonderful.”

Although she has been photographing stars for more than 15 years, Lauren has not lost perspective. “I am grateful to be around the most creative, talented, artistic and beautiful human beings in the world,” she said. It’s easy to forget when you’re working, but if you take a step back, it’s like, ‘wow, I have my dream job.’ “It’s really special.”