Michael Childers

Since the 1960s, Michael Childers has been photographing famous people within the broad genre of portraiture. His long connection to the world of celebrity has given him access to many iconic film stars, artists, actors, and writers of our time—particularly those who make up the creative culture of Southern California and with ties to Palm Springs. His subjects have included Andy Warhol, David Hockney, E. Stewart Williams, Sissy Spacek, Demi Moore, Ringo Starr, and numerous others.

Childers’ father gave him his first camera at age 14. He began to shoot portraits of his friends, provided photographs for his high school newspaper, and early on demonstrated an interest in fashion and film photography. In 1962, he moved to Los Angeles and began studying at UCLA, which at that time had become a major center for art and photography and where he received his degree. To support himself, he began photographing friends, musicians, and actors, and, over time, he met Hollywood golden era film stars, including Norma Shearer, Agnes Moorehead, and Rosalind Russell.