Phillip Leeds never considered being a photographer, but after growing up surrounded by his father's Nikon cameras and being an artistic kid, it was in some ways inevitable. During his career of managing a number of hip hop artists and rappers—Kelis, N.E.R.D, Pharrell, and Riff Raff (pictured here)—he got in the habit of snapping polaroids, which form the content of his new book.
After being particularly inspired by the 'Andy Warhol: Red Books' exhibit, Leeds picked up a Polaroid "Big Shot" camera—a clunky 70s model that Warhol used toward the end of his career—and started snapping hip hop and fashion celebs (like model Louise Donegan) that came through the showroom of his new employer, the Billionaire Boys Club.
Louise Donegan Courtesy Phillip Leeds via Rizzoli USA
“In the same way the warm sounds of vinyl records, with the crackles of time and love, ad character to music, the imperfections of film and the vintage camera enhance the feeling of the photos,” Leeds writes in the intro of Big Shots, which features polaroid portraits of artists such as Tristan 'Mack' Wilds (seen here).
Mack Wilds Courtesy Phillip Leeds via Rizzoli USA
Aside from Warhol, Leeds has been influenced by a number of iconic music photographers—Janette Beckman’s shots of punk culture, Jonathan Mannion’s album covers, Chi Modu’s snaps of the best rappers on either coast. He also shot fellow artists like the famous fashion photorapher Terry Richardson (pictured).
With Polaroid no longer in the film game (other than the gamble of expired film) and replacements being pricey or inconsistent in quality, there may be an expiration date on how many big shots—like Coltrane Curtis, here—are left to shoot.
“I’m shooting big shots until I can’t get film or magic cube flash bulbs which are also required for this camera,” Leeds told the Daily Beast. “Hopefully I get enough for book two before supplies run out and the camera becomes the art.” Pictured here, filmmaker Antonio Scarlata.
Big Shots is available through Rizzoli New York, April 4th.
Rita Ora, Courtesy Phillip Leeds via Rizzoli USA
