The New York Times and the Photographers They Spotlight
From celebrity portraits to camera-less art, these photographers featured in The New York Times reframe how we see the world.
This article, which is about photographers and their works, has no photographs in it! I’d invite you to click through on any of the free gift article links and enjoy the full article with samples of their work. Your time will be well-spent.
As a photographer, I’ve come to appreciate yet another reason to love The New York Times: they consistently shine a light on photographers doing meaningful, lifelong work. Some are widely known, but many work behind the scenes or in overlooked corners of the world. These stories reveal the deep, often unseen artistry behind the lens.
To make it easy to dive in, the links below are gift articles—no paywall, even if you’re not a subscriber. NYT subscribers get ten of these a month to share, and I’ve used mine so you can explore the work of these remarkable image-makers.
Mary Ellen Matthews – The Face Behind SNL’s Bumpers
You may not know her name, but if you’ve ever watched Saturday Night Live, you’ve seen her work. Mary Ellen Matthews has been the show’s official photographer since 2000, creating the stylized images of hosts and musical guests that air between sketches and commercials.
Her photos feature oodles of celebrities, but she’s tasked with doing more than just taking portraits—she brings fresh, unexpected ideas to each shoot. Her challenge? Capturing something memorable that airs for just a few seconds. Now, her unique style is celebrated in a newly released photo book.
Marcia Resnick – Documenting New York’s “Bad Boys”
A recent profile introduced me to Marcia Resnick, whose photographs immediately pulled me in. Her gritty, intimate portraits include Mick Jagger, Ed Koch, Chris Stein and Debbie Harry (of Blondie) lounging on a bed, and a young, pensive Anthony Bourdain.
At one point, Resnick deliberately focused her lens on men, challenging the long-standing tradition of male photographers framing women. She even captured the last official portraits of John Belushi before his death. Her website showcases a wide body of work that’s well worth exploring.
Kunié Sugiura – Bending the Rules of Photography
Some artists expand the boundaries of their medium. Kunié Sugiura is one of them. She creates large-format photograms—camera-less images made using light-sensitive paper—capturing full-body portraits and abstract forms.
Born in Japan, Sugiura originally dreamed of becoming a scientist but faced gender barriers. At age 20, she moved to the U.S. to study art in Chicago, despite not speaking English. Her experimental spirit led her to combine science and art in the darkroom, forging a distinctive and enduring career. This article offers a rich look at her life and visionary work.
Rosalind Fox Solomon – Capturing Emotion Through the Lens
Some photographs demand your attention. Rosalind Fox Solomon’s images linger, drawing you in with their deep emotional pull. Her portraits are filled with subtle tension—moments of vulnerability, strength, and sorrow.
Early in her career, she visited Japan and found that her Instamatic camera helped bridge cultural divides. Encouraged by mentors who saw promise in her early work, she began a decades-long journey into documentary and portrait photography. Her work is powerful and intimate—and hard to forget.
Beuford Smith – Documenting Black Life in America
Beuford Smith has spent his life photographing Black communities in New York and beyond—capturing the sorrow after Dr. King’s assassination, everyday life in Harlem, and the vibrant energy of jazz musicians and Lower East Side residents.
After working as a freelance photographer in the 1960s, he founded his own photo agency in 1977. He also reflected on how racism influenced the reception of his work: after Dr. King’s death, Smith offered powerful images—including one of a grieving man—to Life, Look, and other major magazines. None accepted them.
Rotimi Fani-Kayode – A Short Life of Unflinching Work
Rotimi Fani-Kayode was born in Lagos, Nigeria in 1955, but fled to London with his family following political unrest. His photography explored identity—particularly his Blackness, African heritage, and sexuality—through surreal, emotionally charged images.
Though his career lasted only six years, his legacy remains profound. He died of AIDS-related complications in 1989 at just 34. In one essay, he wrote:
“On three counts I am an outsider: in matters of sexuality, in terms of geographical and cultural dislocation, and in the sense of not having become the sort of married professional my parents might have hoped for.”
Final Thoughts
Each of these artists brings something rare: a singular way of seeing the world. If you’re a photographer, or simply a fan of great storytelling through images, these profiles are a treasure trove. I hope you find something that inspires you—as they did for me.