Michael Joseph
Photography
Great Britain
About the artist
"I always have a camera at hand, every minute of my life".
Michael Joseph was born in 1941 in Kimberly, the capital of South Africa's Northern Cape Province. His father was heavily involved in the anti-apartheid movement, mainly fundraising, which brought Michael into contact with politicians and social reports from South Africa at an early age. His artistic journey began after his arrival in the UK in 1962, when he studied at the London College of Printing and Graphic Arts. Michael Joseph is a photographer best known for his work on the Rolling Stones' classic album Beggar's Banquet.
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While at university, a unique opportunity arose for Michael: he was sent to Vietnam by the Sunday Times to photograph the war. The images he took on this trip were a testament to his extraordinary talent and led to 33 years of varied advertising assignments. As a result, he advanced to become one of the best-known advertising photographers in Europe. Michael Joseph's extensive advertising portfolio eventually led to his being chosen by the Rolling Stones to photograph the legendary Beggar's Banquet cover. In June 1968, Michael spent two days with the Rolling Stones at Sarum Chase in Hampstead and Swarkestone Hall Pavilion, Derbyshire, photographing a series of images destined for the cover of the Beggars Banquet album. His photographs of the band became famous worldwide and are now widely regarded as some of the best ever taken of the band. A long-time assistant and later partner and friend of Michael Joseph's is Manfred Vogelsaenger, who made a name for himself in Germany in commercial photography after working with Michael for many years. According to Manfred, Michael Joseph is Simply the Best as a photographer, which is testimony to the recognition and esteem Michael enjoys in the industry. Michael Joseph has established a firm place for himself in the world of photography. His images stand out for their uniqueness and ability to capture what is special in each moment. Michael Joseph is undoubtedly a photographer who pushes the boundaries of creativity and never fails to impress us with his extraordinary visual narratives. Even today, Michael is rarely seen without his camera, which illustrates his tireless passion for photography.
