William Claxton (1927–2008) was a trailblazing American photographer celebrated for his iconic portraits of jazz legends.. Raised in Pasadena, California, Claxton began capturing the vibrant jazz scene of 1950s Los Angeles while studying at UCLA, photographing emerging talents like Chet Baker.
His eye for elegance and edge led to a career that spanned fashion, film, and celebrity portraiture—most notably his striking images of actor Steve McQueen.
In 1967, the trio collaborated on Basic Black, a short film that broke new ground in fashion filmmaking. Over the course of his career, Claxton’s photographs graced the pages of major magazines, film posters, and gallery walls, capturing a dynamic era with enduring style. His work is included in the permanent collections of institutions such as The Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.