Jake Chessum grew up in Croydon, South London. After studying Graphic Design at Central Saint Martin's School of Art he started working as a photographer.
He was a regular contributor to The Face magazine throughout the 90s, capturing images of stars such as Beck, The Beastie Boys, Aaliyah, Quentin Tarantino, Tori Amos and Ice Cube near the start of their careers. Jake was part of a wave of British photographers who made an impact in New York at this time and he moved to the city permanently in 1999.
In his 30 year career Jake Chessum has worked for an impressive mix of editorial and advertising companies from all over the world and his clients include Apple TV+, IBM, Pentagram, T-Mobile, Levis, HSBC, Vanity Fair, The New York Times Magazine, Esquire, HBO amongst many others. His subjects have included David Bowie, Heath Ledger, Robin Williams, Nicole Kidman, Elisabeth Moss, Kirk Douglas, Barack Obama, Rupert Murdoch, Snoop Dogg, Bill Murray, Robert De Niro, Jay Z, Natalie Portman, Emma Stone, Martin Scorcese, amongst many, many others. He has published two books: The New York Look Book, in conjunction with New York Magazine. The best selling book chronicled stylish New Yorkers captured on the street, and a self-published title: Rubbish, which depicts discarded items on the street.
"I think the dream for me, is that you want to take a picture of someone that somehow defines them."- Jake Chessum
