Joel Brodsky

Joel Brodsky (1939–2007) was an American photographer whose iconic portraits defined the visual language of 1960s and ’70s rock music. After studying commercial art at the School of Industrial Art in New York City, he opened his own studio in the early 1960s, quickly attracting clients in the burgeoning music scene. Brodsky’s breakthrough came when he was hired to shoot album covers for Atlantic Records, where his evocative images captured both the glamour and grit of emerging artists.

His most celebrated series, “Young Lion” portraits of Jim Morrison and The Doors, introduced a moody, cinematic style that became synonymous with the band’s mystique. Brodsky went on to photograph legends including The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, and Michael Jackson—often creating unforgettable visuals like the shadow‑drama on The Doors’ self‑titled debut and the playful performance stills for Jackson’s Music & Me. He was known for his inventive use of lighting, props, and simple backdrops to draw out the personality behind the performer.

In the decades that followed, Brodsky expanded into advertising and editorial work for magazines such as Rolling Stone and Vogue, while his music photographs found new life in retrospectives and gallery exhibitions worldwide. His archive is represented by Magnum Photos and held in collections like the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Brodsky’s pioneering blend of portraiture and graphic flair continues to influence photographers who seek to capture not just a likeness, but the spirit of an era.