Alfred Eisenstaedt

Daydreaming Marilyn, Hollywood, California, 1953

Alfred Eisenstaedt Alfred Eisenstaedt was a German-born American photographer whose photography and photojournalistic skills made him an international household name. He was born in 1898 to a Jewish family. Born in West Prussia, the family moved to Berlin in 1906. Eisenstaedt developed a passion for photography from an early age. As an 11-year-old, he took photos using an Eastman Kodak Folding Camera. However, his career as a photographer took a massive boost after he started freelance photography at Pacific and Atlantic Photo's in Berlin. Over the years, Alfred amassed a lot of experience as a photographer. He quickly rose among the ranks within a short time. By 1929, the now 'photographer extraordinaire' worked at the Associate Press’ office in Germany. He went on to work for the then biggest publishing company, Illustrierte Zeitung. He went on to freeze historical moments in photos, such as the first meeting between Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler. His most famous photograph was taken at the V-J day celebration in Times Square. He used a Leica Illa to capture an American sailor who grabbed and kissed a woman on the street, taking the photo moments after Japan had surrendered, putting a stop to World War II. Alfred Eisenstaedt's photos and exemplary works made a name for him. Unlike other photographers and photojournalists of the time, most of his iconic photographs were captured using different variations of the 35mm Leica Rangefinder camera. He opted for the small portable camera in place of large bulky ones. He had numerous achievements throughout his career. He captured more than 2500 assignments, eighty-six of which were cover spreads for LIFE magazine. Among these LIFE covers included pictures of John F. Kennedy, Albert Einstein, Marilyn Monroe, and Winston Churchill to name a few. Additionally, his photos are included in different exhibitions such as the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the Philadelphia College of Art, and the International Center of Photography. Alfred Eisenstaedt's photography left a mark in the industry. His photos are also included in the permanent collections of renowned institutions such as the Royal Photographic Society (London), New York's International Center of Photography, and the George Eastman House in Rochester, New York. His eye for historic moments has left a trail of famous photographs which are still recognizable to this day.