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Michael Grecco is an award-winning internationally renowned director and photographer of celebrity portraits, advertising and editorial commissions, private collections and fine art.

One of the most respected and sought after visual storytellers in the world, his conceptual vision and signature dramatic lighting create distinctive images that are evocative, sophisticated and comedic. Grecco has been shooting iconic portraits of the most recognized entertainment stars such as Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Will Ferrell and Penelope Cruz.

Known not only for his high-concept imagery and his ability to light like no other, Grecco is also valued for his innate ability to connect with each subject to bring out surprising nuance and a conceptual twist that makes even the most recognizable faces intriguing and fresh. Photographing intimate portraits of celebrities, boxers, rappers, scientists, and business leaders, Grecco’s images captivate our attention and imagination. Thus he delivers on every aspect of his client’s vision, satisfying the most recognized brands including Apple, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Direct TV, and Pfizer.

On the pulse point of cutting edge technology and innovation, Grecco is a regarded expert and celebrated speaker on creativity, photography and his signature lighting and directorial technique worldwide. As a Hasselblad Master he is a sought after trainer, traveling the globe speaking and leading informative and hands on workshops.

His provocative documentary movie and accompanying book Naked Ambition has earned critical acclaim. His award winning still images are published the world over in magazines such as Esquire, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone and Time.

Grecco is often referred to as the Master of Lighting. He is the author of the best-selling photographer’s guidebook: Lighting and the Dramatic Portrait: The Art of Celebrity and Editorial Photography, which is now available as an eBook. His lectures on photography are popular and he has been profiled extensively in key photographic trade journals.

Michael Grecco is based in Los Angeles. He is a devoted father to three children. In his spare time he can be seen exploring his hometown subcultures on his Triumph Bonneville with his favorite camera in tow, ready to find, capture and inspire.

Q&A with Michael Grecco

Q1: How would you describe the aesthetic of your website in three words?

MG: EVOCATIVE. CINEMATIC. INSPIRATION.

Q2: How do you choose the work you display on your homepage?

MG: I worked closely with my film editor in picking images, Cinemagraphs and motion segments that would work together in the director’s real. All the images are from the portfolios on the site and then he made the final selects to use in the finished piece.

Q3: What is your favorite feature of liveBooks?

MG: That they have an already formatted backend that makes changing the content easy.

Q4: What’s one piece of advice you’d offer to someone designing their website?

MG: Take your time and do it right. We redid things that did not work, and it makes a difference in the end product.

Q5: Tell us about a recent project that you’re proud of.

MG: I am currently working on a 6-part documentary TV series, documentary film, book and fashion line based on some of my archival images.

“To shoot dramatic and conceptual portraits, I create moments to capture with my lens that unlock the hidden story of our innermost being to reveal the drama, comedy, and irony of who we really are.” – Michael Grecco

See more of Michael Grecco’s work here: www.michaelgrecco.com

Jessica Punter is a freelance fashion stylist, grooming journalist, brand consultant and copy writer with over 15 years experience, specializing in the menswear industry. Her first break was in 2001, an internship at a magazine called FHM Collections, which was a spin-off fashion title to FHM, the biggest selling men’s magazine in the UK at the time. From there she worked her way up from Fashion Assistant to Fashion Director. She joined British GQ in 2011 and was there until she went freelance last Autumn.

In addition to styling many celebrities she has also interviewed some of the world’s most famous sporting personalities, actors, musicians and designers including David Beckham, Justin Timberlake and Tom Ford.

Q&A with Jessica Punter

Q1. How would you describe the aesthetic of your website in three words?

JP: Clean, clear, simple.

Q2: How often do you typically update your website?

JP: Usually once a season when I have fresh editorials to upload.

Q3:. How do you choose the photos that you display on your homepage?

JP: I go with my personal favorites plus a selection to show the breadth of my work: that I can do celebrity, sportswear, formal tailoring and that I cast diverse models and work with great set designers.

Q4: What is your favorite feature of liveBooks?

JP: With my previous website I was limited to just a single image for my home page. Now have a landing/home page that uses multiple images and gives potential clients an instant overview.

Q5: What’s one piece of advice you’d offer to someone designing their website?

JP: It’s so much easier to design it than it looks.