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SNL’s Top Photographer Reveals How She Captures Celebrity Hosts in 3 Seconds!

BBG News

For mere three-second intervals, her breathtaking images appear on the screen, making an indelible impact on one of the most renowned programs in American television history.

Mary Ellen Matthews is the creative mind responsible for capturing stunning, movie-like images used as transitions during commercial breaks on Saturday Night Live, showcasing the week’s hosts and musicians.

For the past 25 years, her camera has chronicled a moving belt of global fame, skillfully composing them within astonishing stage photographs, ranging from oversized martini glasses to inflatable rubber chickens, as she perfectly encapsulates Saturday Night Live’s comedic spirit.

Currently, the longstanding official photographer for the show, who is 59 years old, has selected a number of her preferred photos from the approximately 4,000 images broadcast over the years for her upcoming publication titled “The Art of SNL Portraits.

She shared during an exclusive chat with DailyMail.com, while stopping by our Manhattan office for a discussion about her preferences in the 272-page book, that she enjoys fostering a lively atmosphere where people are always active and enjoying themselves.

I’m constantly seeking inspiration. The world around me is brimming with potential ideas, or even just small sparks that could ignite new concepts.

After initially assisting her mentor, Edie Baskin, in photographing rock bands and celebrities in New York City, Matthews eventually succeeded Baskin in the role following her departure.

Yet, she infuses the character with her unique, eccentric flair, creating complex, vibrant, unpredictable scenes alongside renowned actors that are as captivating as a billboard advertisement or an eye-catching album cover.

Stars might appear more relaxed, eccentric, even a bit exaggerated – perhaps nudged beyond their usual selves due to an unexpected event like a teacup being hurled at them, intended to elicit a response.

Regarding her renowned subjects, who were often showered with unwavering admiration, she comments: “Well, since these photo sessions tend to be more relaxed, expect a bit more enjoyment than usual.

There are certain advantages to appearing on the program and taking part in these photo sessions, which undeniably allow us to explore more deeply.

Matthews takes photos every Thursday at the identical 8H studio within the CBS TV complex situated at Rockefeller Plaza, where the program airs on Saturday.

Surrounding her, there’s a flurry of activity everywhere. Normally, she has just about two hours to perform her magic once all the meticulous setup is complete, due to the star’s numerous obligations related to the show commemorating its 50th anniversary.

She remarks that during our filming, the band is practicing simultaneously, and everything is in constant motion, with sets being rearranged… It’s like a bustling circus. This lively chaos generates an extremely dynamic atmosphere.

Sometimes she plots a shoot down to the last detail. Other times it’s a wilder ride.

As an ardent enthusiast, I can say that the path isn’t always straightforward; it hinges on the subject matter and the creator themselves. At times, there’s a clear objective, a vision in my mind, a destination I strive to reach. Other times, it veers off course, taking unexpected turns, leading us to places we never imagined. Sometimes, it’s about seeing where the journey takes us.

Depending on the shoot, catching the star turn unawares is in the plot.

Matthews mentions that he occasionally uses a prop, and it’s hard to predict exactly what it might be. He may also spontaneously toss an item to someone and tell them, “Ready. You’ll catch something.

As a devoted admirer, I perceive these completed visuals much like high-profile billboards, glossy magazine covers, or captivating album artworks. They radiate an alluring polish, a vibrant sparkle, and a shimmering sheen that truly sets them apart.

In my professional opinion, when it comes to these shows, I always advocate for more screen time! Rather than mere three-second glimpses, let’s stretch it to 30 seconds. She chuckles, acknowledging this. Furthermore, in the narrative we create, they now have a permanent residence, though not all characters may be fortunate enough to have one.

Here Matthews reveals an inside story of shooting some of the book’s classic images.

Travis Kelce, March 2023

Matthews found the idea for his extraordinary photo of NFL star Kelce, reminiscent of rock icon Jimi Hendrix igniting his Fender Stratocaster guitar during the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival, as inspiration.

The tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, after winning the Super Bowl, lit up a cigar with a fiery football, a sparkle in his eyes.

Matthews shares his admiration, saying, “I’m captivated by the boldness of this shot by Travis. It’s like a Jimi Hendrix-style move, but he elevates it even more by lighting a cigar with the football. He fully embraced that moment and was completely on board with the idea.

Travis exudes charm. While he’s well-known for his love of sports, it turns out that he also excels on camera, making him a joy to collaborate with and a source of amusement.

We set a football ablaze, but naturally, we couldn’t give it to him due to safety concerns. However, a touch of digital artistry was involved – a bit of Photoshop was used. I drew the concept first, and he understood perfectly well how the final product would appear.

Alec Baldwin, February 2009

In the initial sequence of the 1972 hit film The Godfather, Marlon Brando portrays Don Corleone while holding a wandering cat. This scene served as inspiration for a unique adaptation by Mathews, where she introduced a surprising variation for Baldwin, who has hosted the show an unprecedented 17 times.

She mentioned that it was likely Alex who originated the idea for The Godfather, to which I suggested to our costume department lead if they could assemble him.

Instead of acquiring a real cat, we ended up with a plush one instead. That particular scene feels like it belongs in the SNL universe to me.

This idea contains a comedic element, it’s quite absurd, and let me tell you, we’re not reproducing it exactly; instead, we’re crafting our unique interpretation of it.

Baldwin’s presence, remarkably, echoes Don Corleone from the film. She describes him as embodying Marlon Brando’s character, but with a twist of Saturday Night Live. “We certainly amplified this resemblance,” she explains, “by incorporating the SNL logo in similar typography to add the final touches.

“Alex is an exceptional actor I’ve had the pleasure of working with numerous times on our series. Beyond our professional relationship, we’ve collaborated in other contexts as well. He’s truly remarkable, simply put. His creativity knows no bounds, and he brings a wealth of cinematic ideas to the table. He even has an impressive collection of archival film references that greatly contribute to our work.

Dave Chappelle, November 2016

Stand-up comedian legend Dave Chappelle has a unique habit when appearing on Saturday Night Live: it appears that he’s the only one permitted to smoke on set, as suggested by this photograph.

We were simply engaging in conversation, sharing our thoughts. He was puffing on a cigarette, and it struck me as a particularly insightful, intimate moment that would make for compelling footage.

The atmosphere there feels less tense. Appearing in the program during that period held significant value for him. Some say he’s the unique individual allowed to smoke on the set, and it’s all because he is none other than Dave Chappelle.

Jennifer Lopez, February 2010

The renowned photographer praises Jennifer by saying, “She’s simply one of the most delightful individuals I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside.” He also comments on her generosity and teamwork, stating, “Her nature is incredibly selfless, making her a joy to work with.

Regarding this captivating photograph, she remarks: “Prior to this shoot, we weren’t acquainted. It’s not always straightforward to determine precisely what I expect from someone, particularly when they’re unknown to me.

This type of dance is similar to having a conversation. As time passes, connections form and you learn more about the other person over time.

With Jennifer, I felt the need for an intimate shot, and it simply felt fitting. She was capturing our connection perfectly.

Justin Bieber, February 2020

The outfit Justin Bieber wore during the shoot – it was a pale blue and white ensemble – served as the inspiration for this particular image, according to Matthews.

I found it quite amusing as he resembled a cloud in his outfit. There seemed to be a possibility of him descending from the heavens, yet it appeared equally likely that he might ascend. To add a touch of whimsy, let’s imagine an orange sky instead. Why not, indeed?

Previously, I had collaborated with him, and it was a relaxed environment. Typically, I try to keep things brief as both the host and musical performers have other duties to attend to.

‘So this is meant to be a little bit easy and I don’t want them to think too hard about it.’

About Justin Bieber, who has recently sparked concern among his fans regarding his health, she expresses: “Justin was charming to meet, and this was one of his numerous appearances on the show.

Timothee Chalamet, November 2023

Matthews mentions that the actor up for Best Actor at this year’s Oscars for A Complete Unknown suggested their meeting in Central Park, New York City. He expressed a desire to be outdoors, so they arranged for security and decided to see where things would lead.

In order to avoid being noticed, we hastened our pace and didn’t stop, knowing fully well he would be detected. Spectators caught a glimpse of him and he took it all in stride, showing a friendly demeanor.

We walked along this path, and I asked him to perform the well-known clicking of heels together. To my delight, he executed it flawlessly. It was somewhat reminiscent of dancing in the rain, minus the actual rainfall, on a stunning autumn day.

Regarding her choice to shoot it in black and white, she comments: “There was a timeless quality to him with his black coat and black umbrella.

Aubrey Plaza, January 2023

In a nod to Sharon Stone’s famous chair scene from the 1992 psychological thriller “Basic Instinct,” filmmaker Matthews chose to replicate it with actress-comedian Plaza. However, this remake took an unforeseen turn.

She came up with the idea while riding in a taxi en route to the set, she shares. There’s an undeniable quality about Aubrey that seemed perfect for capturing that particular moment – a strength akin to Sharon Stone’s, and she felt this role suited her well.

She embraced the concept wholeheartedly, and the props team managed to gather all necessary items to bring it to life. When I presented it to Aubrey, she reacted as if to say, “Can you guess who’s arrived?

remarkably, Sharon happened to be at the studio as well, sharing the stage with Sam Smith, the evening’s musical performer. It was an unusual and exhilarating experience indeed.

In the movie, we matched the lighting to a specific still of Sharon during an interrogation scene. Aubrey, who gives a remarkable performance, infused life into that moment while making it uniquely hers. There’s a certain flair in her portrayal, from her acting style to her body language, that truly feels like Aubrey embodying Sharon, not just imitating her.

Kieran Culkin, November 2021

In a charming manner, Matthews shares that Culkin, the winner of this year’s Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in A Real Pain, happens to be one of his personal favorites.

For the very first time, she captured the sibling of Macaulay Culkin, the famous Home Alone actor, on camera. “We all enjoyed ourselves immensely,” she shares, referring to the entire filming team.

In our shoot, we aimed for a vibrant color-tint effect, and I’m a fan of dynamic action. He wore an oversized coat, necessitating a slight prolongation of the shutter, which in turn reduced its speed. Consequently, the colors subtly bleed into the photograph as he moved around.

Sydney Sweeney, March 2024

According to Matthews, the actress from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood possesses an enchanting quality. She describes her as a lively young woman who exudes charm and has a touch of playful allure.

The remarkable monochrome snapshot of Sweeney appeared following what seemed to be a glimpse related to a crystal orb or a miniature snow globe.

Initially, I had planned for it to be cold outside with snow, but decided to keep her indoors instead. However, she seems eager to leave. This unexpected turn of events wasn’t part of my original plan. Instead, I spontaneously introduced an object for her to play with, and surprisingly, she took a liking to the idea.

In another image from the book, Sweeney is depicted backstage during the shoot, elegantly dressed in a captivating low-cut red gown nestled within a colossal martini glass. This snapshot evoked memories of vintage burlesque performances, with their glamorous dancers, martinis, and feet propped up. Interestingly, she shared an affinity for this retro charm as well.

Mick Jagger, May 2010

Matthews typically handles global figures effortlessly, yet she confessed that encountering the Rolling Stones’ icon, Mick Jagger, left her feeling awestruck.

She expressed: “I was absolutely thrilled… speechless, overwhelmed, you name it! It was unbelievable, having a musical idol! As I was representing the show, I felt compelled to step up my game. So, that experience was truly amazing. He’s graced our stage multiple times before, and this was the second time I had the privilege of capturing his image.

In the beginning, I didn’t use any props. That was when I first began exploring ideas and scenarios. However, I believe he can stand alone without needing anything else.

Lady Gaga, November 2013

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but be captivated by the sight of the petite, pristine Kleinway piano belonging to this young prodigy, standing next to his towering boots, a stark contrast against the diminutive stool. And there he is, framed through the giant glasses, poised instinctively, a spectacle that leaves me in awe.

As a creative enthusiast, I found myself surrounded by various props, which I keep handy for sudden inspirations. In this instance, what I did simply felt fitting at the time. And there’s something truly captivating about Lady Gaga effortlessly assuming that pose – it’s the essence of organic creativity.

Lady Gaga and her co-star Bradley Cooper worked together on the hit song “Shallow” from the movie soundtrack A Star is Born. This song received the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2019 and also earned a Golden Globe that year.

According to Matthews, she’s incredibly skilled and performing exceptionally well. Everything she accomplishes is impeccable, and she’s raising the standard for everyone else.

Janet Jackson, April 2004

Matthews suggested that Janet should portray a character, and what followed was a stunning interpretation of jazz singer Billie Holiday, who passed away in 1959. It turned out to be an excellent decision as she embraced the concept enthusiastically.

In our attempt, we secured the gardenia bloom and skillfully took on the role of a fashion stylist to assemble the ideal gown and matching blossom. Given the extra time at hand, we devised no less than six distinct ensembles for that photoshoot.

We switched our clothes multiple times and she also introduced her pet dog into the mix. Since I’m fond of canines, I always think more dogs are wonderful!

Scarlett Johansson, April 2007

Matthews expresses his fondness for a martini glass while praising the stylish shot featuring Johansson, who was the world’s top-earning actress in both 2018 and 2019.

I absolutely adore that photo. The sheer joy and radiance in her eyes are simply captivating, and they sparkle so brilliantly. I might tell her something like, ‘You’re always ready to celebrate life, just like a party girl, here’s to raising a glass to it!’ That’s essentially what I meant.

‘Scarlett is one of my absolute all-time favorites.’

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2025-04-07 19:09

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