The best entertainment photos of 2025

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Our photographers have traveled extensively this year – from a doll shop in Valencia to Dublin and even the Coachella festival. They’ve photographed leading musicians, actors, and TV personalities, capturing both serious and lighthearted moments. They also share stories from behind the scenes and explain how they achieved their most iconic photos.

Britt Lower, Adam Scott and Dichen Lachman (above)

By Jason Armond in Los Angeles

When I started working on this project, I really wanted to make an image that felt as unsettling and strange as the show itself. But beyond just the mood, I was focused on showing the complicated connection between Britt Lower, Adam Scott, and Dichen Lachman’s characters – that dynamic was key to what I wanted to capture.

At first, it took a moment for the crew to grasp what I was aiming for, but after I showed them a sample image, they immediately understood and were eager to work together. The whole shoot only took about eight minutes, but that was plenty of time.

The images became incredibly popular online very quickly. Many people thought they were created using artificial intelligence or were heavily edited, but surprisingly, every aspect of the photos was captured directly with the camera, without any digital manipulation.

You won’t believe what happened on set! Near the end of filming, someone on the crew totally stepped on a mirror – it shattered! Everyone immediately started joking about seven years of bad luck, which, as a movie buff, I always take seriously. But thankfully, that superstition didn’t hold true. A few months later, Britt Lower actually won the Emmy for Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her incredible work on “Severance.” It was amazing!

Richard Kind

By Christina House at Sunset Gower Studios in Hollywood

Richard is truly unique, and I mean that sincerely! He kept us entertained with songs, jokes, and stories while we worked. We were shooting outdoors in bright sunlight, and he was dressed warmly in a vest and coat, so we needed to be efficient. I’m always fascinated by the process of filmmaking, and for this shot, I wanted to capture the energy of a busy set, so I included the lights and even my assistant Jonathan’s hands in the frame.

Cynthia Erivo

By Jason Armond in Los Angeles

The photoshoot with Cynthia Erivo happened in a studio close to Beverly Hills, right after she finished recording her new album. I originally planned to photograph her sitting by an old piano, but she had a different idea in mind – which is why I always have a few different setups ready when photographing artists. I quickly switched to a setup with a bold, geometric wooden wall. As I was setting up the lights, I noticed her amazing outfit, with high slits that showed off her tattoos. That’s when I realized she preferred standing, as it allowed her to truly showcase her style and personality. I adjusted the lighting to highlight her confident and captivating presence. Her decision to stand really brought energy to the photos. The final image is incredible – she brought the shoot to life and needed very little direction from me. All I had to do was press the shutter button.

Bella Ramsey

By Bexx Francois at the London in West Hollywood

I wasn’t aiming for a particular expression; I was more interested in creating a sense of calm and using repeated movements to emphasize even the smallest actions. I envisioned Bella’s face in profile as both the central focus and the repeating beat of the photograph. She was immediately enthusiastic about exploring a more artistic approach. It was a spontaneous process, relying on feeling and mutual trust. We experimented with different options, but her profile ultimately achieved the best combination of a traditional portrait and a more imaginative interpretation.

Lee Jung-jae and Hwang Dong-hyuk

By Justin Jun Lee at the “Squid Game Experience” in New York

I was immediately struck by how much the space felt like a real “Squid Game” film set. The huge Young-hee doll from the “Red Light, Green Light” game was instantly recognizable. I wanted the photos to capture the show’s tense and dramatic atmosphere, and I think that came across in the way Lee Jung-jae and Hwang Dong-hyuk looked and carried themselves.

Yungblud

By Hon Wing Chiu at the Hollywood Palladium

I was only allowed to photograph the first three songs at the Hollywood Palladium. I decided to shoot the first two from close up, and then take a risk with the last song by shooting from the back of the crowd. It was hard to see anything past the fans, but I was hoping the final song would offer a surprising shot.

The moment Yungblud stepped on stage, the energy in the room went wild. The lights flashed rapidly, and he was constantly in motion – running, jumping, and really connecting with the audience. It felt like he was too big for the stage! The fans were screaming and reaching out, totally lost in the experience. I managed to get some shots from the front row, then I changed lenses hoping for one final, perfect opportunity.

That last song… wow. Everything just clicked. Yungblud came right to the edge of the stage, so close you felt like you could reach out and touch him. The crowd went wild, hands shooting up, desperate to connect, and he matched that energy, throwing his arm up like he was trying to lift the whole room with him. For one perfect second, the lights, the crowd, and his performance all just lined up. I snapped a picture, hoping I’d captured that moment.

While it wasn’t the most exciting part of the whole concert, it was the best moment I could photograph, and it resulted in the picture I’d been hoping to capture all evening.

Olivia Cooke and Robin Wright

By Jennifer McCord in London

I only saw the trailer for “The Girlfriend” when we were filming, but I was already drawn to the concept of unreliable storytellers, which seemed to be a key theme.

Paul Thomas Anderson

By Christina House at the Aster in Hollywood

I knew PTA wasn’t comfortable having his picture taken, having worked with him before. He’s a really kind person, but definitely camera shy. After his interview with Glenn Whipp, he came over to where I was set up – a chair by a window – and I explained my idea for the photo. I was shooting from inside the closet to create some depth, and he was on board with it. We took a few pictures, chatted about our dogs (he told me his dog even brings him the L.A. Times every morning!), and as he was leaving, he apologized for being difficult. I quickly reassured him that he hadn’t been difficult at all.

Fernanda Torres (‘I’m Still Here’)

By Annie Noelker in Los Angeles

I was struck by how graceful, elegant, and genuinely kind she was. Her team was wonderful to work with, and we quickly took some photos on the hotel balcony – it only took about ten minutes. The whole shoot felt natural and was a really positive experience for everyone involved.

Adrien Morot, Kathy Tse and M3GAN dolls

By Carlin Stiehl in Valencia

As a huge fan, getting a peek behind the scenes of a movie like “M3GAN” was incredible. You always wonder if seeing how the magic is made will ruin the illusion, but with Adrien and Kathy’s work, it actually made it more amazing. The dolls were unbelievably realistic, and it wasn’t even their eyes that got to me – it was the skin! Seeing rows of doll faces waiting to be painted created this strangely unsettling, almost horror-movie vibe, like something out of a film about… well, you get the picture. But that’s where the brilliance was! It was so well done, I almost believed they were real. That’s what inspired the photo – I wanted to recreate those slightly awkward family portraits you see in people’s homes, the ones with the forced smiles. The dolls felt like their children, so I thought, why not get the ‘kids’ together with ‘Mom and Dad’ and show off how precious they are to our guests?

Saagar Shaikh and Asif Ali

By Bexx Francois on the Disney Studios lot in Burbank

I went into the shoot with just a general idea of what I wanted, a mix of classic poses and some funny situations I wasn’t even sure would work. I’d seen their show, “Deli Boys,” and figured they’d be game for some playful ideas. When Saagar and Asif showed up, I shared my vision, and they immediately loved it! After we got the first funny shot, everything just took off. They naturally fell into the roles of their characters, and things got hilarious – like when we actually lifted Asif a few feet in the air! By the end of the shoot, we were all crying with laughter.

Dan Brown

By Cheryl Senter in Rye Beach, N.H.

I have two rules: always trust my instincts and never wear pink. But leading up to this photoshoot, I had a strong feeling I wanted to capture the author in front of a wall of mirrors. Surprisingly, on the day of the shoot, I decided to break my rule and wore a bright pink shirt I’d found at a thrift store, ditching my usual all-black outfit. When I arrived at the author’s home, I spent about an hour with his assistant looking for a suitable spot – but there wasn’t a wall of mirrors anywhere. Just before leaving, I asked the author himself, and he led me to a tiny, curved bathroom with a copper door. It was incredibly cramped, especially with the door closed. Luckily, my pink shirt actually came in handy – I could easily check my angles in the mirrors. At one point, the author caught me trying to appear thinner and burst out laughing. Soon, we were both laughing. His assistant, waiting outside, cautiously asked if everything was alright.

Penn Badgley

By Matt Seidel in Los Angeles

This photoshoot with Penn Badgley was typical – our planned 30 minutes quickly shrunk to just seven, so we had to work quickly. I briefly greeted Penn, explaining I wanted to capture the perfect photo and get him back on schedule. There wasn’t time for a lot of direction, so I gave him a single note about the character and let him take it from there. I wasn’t trying to photograph his character, Joe Goldberg, from the show ‘You,’ or the ‘sexy serial killer’ image. I wanted to capture the real Penn Badgley – someone saying goodbye to that role, processing its darker aspects, and looking forward to new beginnings.

Spike Lee

By Victoria Will in New York

Spike Lee is a true icon of Brooklyn, so it felt right to photograph him in Fort Greene, close to his office where everyone knows him. He and the borough have a deep, mutual connection built on shared history and a strong sense of place. It was clear how well-loved he is – almost every passerby greeted him warmly, like an old friend, and he made sure to acknowledge each and every one of them. It was a display of genuine kindness and respect.

Sombr

By Evelyn Freja at Pier 17 in New York

The photo was taken on the bare floor of the pier where he performed that night. It was a really quick shoot just before he went on stage – he had a cold and was trying to conserve his energy for the concert. Even though he wasn’t feeling well, he and his whole team were incredibly kind and easy to work with. I used red lighting to capture the energy of his music and create a moody atmosphere that matched the vibe of his songs, fitting for Sombr.

Elle Fanning

By Christina House at the Toronto International Film Festival

I’d worked with Elle a few years prior, and she’s a joy to photograph. She’s naturally talented at posing, so I don’t need to give her much direction. This photo was taken at our studio during the Toronto International Film Festival. It’s usually a really busy and hectic time with people constantly coming and going for portraits, but you wouldn’t know it looking at Elle – she’s completely calm and collected. She’s a true professional.

Lena Dunham and Megan Stalter

By the Tyler Twins in New York

The playlist featured popular artists from the ’90s like Alanis Morissette, The Cranberries, and Jewel, creating a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere. Megan and Lena had great chemistry and seemed very comfortable on camera. We all bonded over our connection to Ohio, and it felt like we were filming friends rather than conducting an interview.

Domhnall Gleeson

Jennifer McCord in Dublin

The photoshoot with Domhnall took place in a Dublin studio – those kinds of studio sessions are always special! It was a small team – just Domhnall, his makeup artist Lucy, and me. We listened to the new Fontaines D.C. album, which created a really relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. I especially appreciate it when actors are open to collaboration and experimentation, and this photo was one of the last we captured. The other images are more lively, so it was great to finish with this softer, more personal shot.

Karol G

By Bexx Francois in El Segundo

When you don’t have much time with an artist, it’s easy to feel stressed. But the moment Karol G arrived on set, a sense of calm settled over everything. She was incredibly gentle and naturally beautiful, which was really inspiring. I was thinking of the classic portraits by Irving Penn, using simple backgrounds to draw your focus to the subject. We kept the set very minimal, using just a V-flat. Even with a strong fan creating a lot of movement around her, Karol remained completely in control, both of her space and her performance, and she connected with the camera exactly when and how she needed to, with a really focused energy.

Benson Boone and Brian May

By Allen J. Schaben at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival

Photographing Benson Boone’s energetic performance at Coachella, especially his signature jumps, felt like connecting different generations of music fans. It was extra special having Queen’s Brian May on stage with him. Getting the shot was tricky – I had to work my way through a crowd of people and their phones! I got low to the ground to show the height of Boone’s jump and make it feel like you were in the audience, making sure both artists were visible. Then, during a powerful moment with crashing cymbals and a guitar solo, Boone ran to the piano, leaped into the air above May, and it was all over in a flash. These are the moments that make my job so fulfilling, and I know this performance by Boone and May will be one I always remember.

Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Mike Leigh (‘Hard Truths’)

By Christina House at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica

Marianne and Mike had great rapport and seemed to connect easily. I wanted to give them something to do during the photoshoot, so we decided on this pose. We shot it in a hotel boardroom using a plain backdrop.

Mariska Hargitay

By Victoria Will in New York

I’ve been lucky enough to photograph Mariska Hargitay several times, and over time, we’ve built a strong, trusting working relationship. She’s incredibly generous with both her time and her willingness to collaborate. As always, during this shoot, she was down-to-earth, self-assured, fully engaged, and had a great sense of humor.

Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites of the Lumineers

By Robert Gauthier at the Sunset Marquis in West Hollywood

I’ll always remember photographing The Lumineers. I had to crawl into a dense patch of ferns at the Sunset Marquis Hotel to get the shot. While crouching behind a fountain, twisting myself into awkward positions to get the right angle, I couldn’t help but wonder if the band thought I was a little crazy.

Luis Guzmán, Jenna Ortega and Catherine Zeta-Jones

By Jennifer McCord in London

I really love the show “Wednesday” and all three of these actors, so working with them was a fantastic experience. As with most shoots, we were a bit rushed for time, but thankfully we filmed at the beautiful Raffles hotel in London, and Luis, Catherine, and Jenna were all incredibly cooperative and pleasant to work with.

Mark Hoppus of Blink-182

By Robert Gauthier in Los Angeles

Mark Hoppus’ house is a fantastic location for photography. Its Midcentury Modern design features unique shapes, textures, colors, and lighting. He was very cooperative, happy to pose wherever I suggested. We ended up shooting in a few spots, including under a skylight that filled a hallway with beautiful natural light. It’s a straightforward photo, and you could even say it captures one of life’s little moments.

Stephen Graham

By Sophia Spring in London

I shot these portraits of Stephen in a temporary studio I created in a conference room at Netflix’s London offices. It was before the release of his show, “Adolescence,” and all I knew about the plot was that his character was the father of a son accused of murder. I wanted the photos to reflect the show’s intense and complicated atmosphere. After a brief greeting, I explained my vision, and for the next 20 minutes, Stephen showed everyone why he’s such a talented actor. He brought incredible energy and dedication to the shoot. I was so happy – but not surprised – to see him win an Emmy a few months later.

True Whitaker

By Christina House at the London Hotel in West Hollywood

True was lovely to meet – warm, friendly, and gave us both a hug! She wasn’t feeling her best that day, but she was still cheerful and happy to follow my instructions. It was a pleasure working with the star of “I Love LA.” I used natural light from the window to create a soft, but slightly dramatic, look.

Jessie Murph

By Annie Noelker in Los Angeles

We photographed Jessie at NeueHouse Venice Beach (may it rest in peace) and were lucky enough to find a beautiful skylight in the backroom. The sunlight created a gorgeous glow, and the timing was perfect. I asked Jessie to stand in the light and look up, using a small reflector to brighten her face. We captured a peaceful, reflective moment – a calm before a very busy year for the singer-songwriter.

Danielle Brooks

By Bexx Francois in Los Angeles

I’d just returned from New York, where I’d recently been to the movies with my nephews, ages 6 and 11. Seeing their excitement while watching “Minecraft” was a great memory. I also saw Danielle Brooks give an amazing performance in the Broadway revival of “The Piano Lesson” in 2022 – she earned a standing ovation! So, when I was asked to photograph her, I immediately agreed. I was secretly thrilled, and I hoped to capture the same joy she’d brought to my nephews and me in the movie theater.

Laverne Cox and George Wallace

By the Tyler Twins in New York

Laverne Cox made a stunning entrance wearing a classic Thierry Mugler outfit. We quickly connected over our mutual passion for fashion, as she really knows her history! George Wallace, who played her father on the Prime Video show “Clean Slate,” was incredibly warm and engaging. Their on-screen father-daughter relationship felt genuine, and Laverne playfully posed and interacted with him throughout the shoot.

Tonatiuh

By Christina House at Hollenbeck Park in Los Angeles

This place held a special meaning for him because it was where he’d grown up. He seemed relaxed and happy to be back home, especially during the whirlwind of promoting his movie, “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” with Jennifer Lopez. It’s important to find moments of calm amidst the chaos. We walked towards the pond in the center of the park and took some photos in the lovely natural light. He shared that he wasn’t self-conscious about the scar on his face and was comfortable having it photographed.

Laurence Fishburne

By Jason Armond in Los Angeles

When I photographed Laurence Fishburne for the movie “The Amateur,” I thought of myself as a storyteller. I always try to tell a story with my portraits, even when photographing celebrities. For this shoot, I used strong lighting to match the film’s suspenseful mood. Fishburne had broken his toe and needed to sit down for most of the session, but this actually sparked my creativity. I focused on close-up shots, letting his powerful expressions and genuine laughter shine through in the photos.

Fujii Kaze

By Jason Armond in El Segundo

I photograph a lot of celebrities during awards season, and it pushes me to come up with fresh ideas for every shoot. I believe the secret to making great photos is being open to inspiration from anywhere. This really came together when I photographed J-pop artist Fujii Kaze at the L.A. Times. On the way to the studio, I spotted some simple black chairs and immediately thought they could be part of the shoot. They ended up creating a really impactful and unique background for a portrait, and trusting my gut helped me capture something special.

Michael Koman and Greg Daniels

By Jason Armond in El Segundo

When I was asked to take photos of Michael Koman and Greg Daniels, the creators of “The Paper,” I wanted the pictures to reflect the show’s unique and funny style. I decided to create a set made entirely of newspapers. Luckily, we were shooting at the L.A. Times, so I collected lots of old papers and imagined Michael and Greg surrounded by them—a lively and playful way to capture the energy of their show. The concept turned out great.

After our meeting, I showed Koman and Daniels around the newsroom. Daniels was really interested in everything – he asked lots of questions about how the newsroom worked each day and what each space was used for. His genuine curiosity showed how committed he is to journalism.

I playfully volunteered to help with their show before Koman and Daniels departed, but they haven’t contacted me. That’s perfectly fine with me, as I’m enjoying my job at the L.A. Times.

Billy Crudup

By Bexx Francois in Los Angeles

When we arrived at Netflix, we headed to our shooting location. I spotted a charming teddy bear chair in a waiting room and immediately asked for it to be brought to the set. We tested a couple of regular chairs first, but the teddy bear chair just felt right. We hoped it would make Billy Crudup, who plays Jay Kelly, smile, and it definitely did! We ended up spending a lot of time laughing and capturing relaxed, natural moments with Billy comfortably settled in that cozy chair, and it resulted in one of my favorite photos from the shoot.

Cyndi Lauper

By Larsen&Talbert at Jack Studios in New York

From the very beginning, it felt more like a collaboration than an assignment.

As soon as we knew what she was going to wear, we all looked at different colors of backdrop paper, trying to find the perfect one – it felt like choosing paint colors. Blue quickly seemed like the best choice, and we started setting up. Everything was going well until Cyndi Lauper rushed back into the room a few minutes later.

“We can’t do blue!” she said, laughing. “My hair is blue today.”

She was absolutely right.

We quickly switched to using orange as our backdrop. It looked fantastic against her blue hair and the striking pink outfit she was wearing – the combination was full of life and exactly what we needed.

While some models require a lot of guidance, Cyndi is different. She instinctively understands posing, movement, and how to connect with the camera. She’s proactive and offers strong ideas, so our role was to be prepared and capture the amazing results she creates.

The photoshoot was incredibly smooth, natural, and fun – exactly the kind of experience that highlights the power of teamwork and shows you what makes truly great artists stand out.

Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme

By Dutch Doscher at Blonde Studios in New York

I was thrilled when I received the assignment and instantly envisioned a vibrant, candy cane-themed circus setting. I wasn’t sure how to make it happen, but Broderson Backdrops saved the day with a custom 25-by-25-foot backdrop. Their publicist loved the idea right away, and after that, the concept really came together – I knew the performers needed gold outfits to complete the look.

They were relaxed and natural in front of the camera, and it’s easy to suspect some partnerships are just for work. But being with them, it was obvious they had a genuine, close friendship. That real connection made the photoshoot flow smoothly, and I believe that authenticity shines through in the final image.

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2025-12-23 14:05