Albert Eisenstaedt

Alfred Eisenstaedt was a German-born American photographer best known for his candid black-and-white shots of celebrities, politicians, and captivating street shots. His most famous work remains the iconic VJ Day in Times Square (1945), an indelible image taken at the end of WWII of a sailor and nurse’s celebratory embrace. In 1931, the freelance photojournalist worked with both Pacific and Atlantic Photos (now the Associated Press) and for various publications upon his move the United States in 1935, completing numerous assignments for LIFE magazine throughout his storied career. Born on December 6, 1898 in Dirschau, Prussia (now Tczew, Poland), Eisenstaedt attended the University of Berlin and taught himself photographic techniques after serving in World War I. “The reason for my success in photographing, people just say I don't push people around. I treat people like I like to be treated, with gentleness,” the artist said. His photographs have been exhibited at many prestigious institutions, including The Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, the Philadelphia College of Art, and the International Center of Photography in New York. Eisenstaedt died on August 23, 1995 in Oak Bluffs, MA. courtesy Artnet