About Sid Avery

After World War II, picture magazines such as Life and Look became popular. They featured photo-journalism and looked for in-depth stories on celebrity including information about their private life and children, subjects which the studio publicity machines had played down. Sid Avery, whose work appeared in the Saturday Evening Post, Look, and Colliers, was among the preeminent photographers working in this genre. He was invited into the stars homes to take candid shots, and bring the stars down to earth. They were seen in their cars, kitchens, living rooms, back yards, at their parties, and with friends. Glamour was played down and similarities to readers was emphasized. With the rise of television, many of these magazines disappeared and Avery began a successful career as a director of television commercials. Sid Avery, a renowned and influential celebrity photographer, died of cancer at the age of 83.