Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN) — Whether he’s behind the scenes at the Academy Awards, or shooting posters for the “James Bond” series, photographer Greg Williams has been positioned in places that most celebrity photographers dream of getting to.
The former war photographer captured intimate moments for a number of Hollywood stars.
Over the past six years, the British photographer has shared single photos with more than 1.2 million followers on Instagram.
He has also published a new book, Photo Breakdowns: The Stories Behind 100 Portraits, in which he recounts his favorite photo occasions.
In the introduction, he hoped to be able to help budding photographers in their own craft by explaining how it works.
Here are five photos and the occasion for taking each of them, as mentioned in his book!
Credit: Greg Williams/Cider Mill Press
Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara
The photo was taken after Joaquin won Best Actor for Joker.
This picture reflects a love story. It is clear that in front of you are two people in love.
Despite their great fame, they are very humble. It shows Ronnie wearing Converse shoes, while eating a veggie burger with Joaquin.
Credit: Greg Williams/Cider Mill Press
Cate Blanchett
Williams captured Cate Blanchett at the 2020 Venice Film Festival. He used no lighting for the above photo, other than sunlight.
“I’m probably on tiptoe, telling her to move her head so that the sun’s rays fall right on her face,” Williams said.
He continued, “The lesson is that if you can’t move your light, you have to move your subject to the light.”
Credit: Greg Williams/Cider Mill Press
William Dafoe
“I took this picture of Willem Dafoe at the Venice Film Festival,” Williams wrote.
“I get it,” William said at the time. “It all looks great, but it’s not what you want.”
After they searched for something to do, there was a small fountain that William decided to play with.
In doing so, Williams’ pants were doused with water, making it look like he had peed himself.
“Sometimes you take a picture, sometimes you create a picture, other times you make a picture with your subject,” the British photographer wrote.
Credit: Greg Williams/Cider Mill Press
Kate Winslet
It is among Williams’ favorite photos from the past two years.
Winslet is shown standing in the ocean, not far from where she lives.
Winslet wished to bring her into the sea, but he imagined a long sandy beach, and nothing like such a violent and violent scene.
He wrote, “Before, shooting this scene would have required hundreds of assistants, costume assistants, and special effects crews..and people would bring in extra machines to make sure the water was rippling enough..but we did it!”
“Her husband was helping me, I even had to borrow his rain boots,” he added.
Credit: Greg Williams/Cider Mill Press
Olivia Colman
Williams took the photo above when Olivia Colman was promoting “The Crown.”
After buying all of these crowns for the photo shoot, Coleman said, “Oh my God, my daughter is going to love them.”
And the British photographer wrote: “I told her to take whatever she wanted .. Then she put a crown on her head, then another on her head, and I just laugh, and encourage her. And she continued to stack them.”
The lesson for anyone trying to capture hilarious photos like this is that it’s not over until everyone has left the building.
“You never know when the spontaneous moments will come,” he explained.
