Michael Joseph (born 1941) is a South African-born British professional photographer best known for his advertising photography and his iconic images of The Rolling Stones.
Early life and education
Joseph was born in Kimberley, the capital of South Africa’s Northern Cape Province. He was raised in a politically charged environment due to his father’s involvement in the anti-apartheid movement, which had a lasting influence on his worldview and work.
Following the death of his father in the late 1950s, Joseph relocated to England. He studied at the London College of Printing and Graphic Arts, where he honed his photographic skills. His influences include Bill Brandt, Lord Snowdon, Hieronymus Bosch, and Pieter Bruegel, which shaped his distinctive approach to photography.
By the early 1960s, Joseph had set up a darkroom in his Harley Street apartment and was gaining recognition within the advertising industry.
Career
In 1964, Joseph accepted an assignment to photograph the Vietnam War. He later described the experience as « the most harrowing of his life, » yet the images proved to be a significant turning point for his career.
His Vietnam work led to opportunities in advertising, where he became known for his ability to photograph large group compositions. His talent in this area became so prominent that a group image featuring up to 50 people was colloquially referred to as a « Michael Joseph. »
A notable early success was his 1965 campaign for Courage beer, which featured a photograph of an elderly woman enjoying a pint. The image became widely recognized across England on billboards.
Joseph’s most iconic work came in 1968 when he was commissioned to photograph The Rolling Stones for their album Beggars’ Banquet. The shoot took place at Sarum Chase, a mansion in Hampstead, North London, and was directed by art director Mike Peters.
The visual concept was partly inspired by Luis Buñuel’s 1961 film Viridiana, specifically its notorious banquet scene.
Joseph later recalled, “One of the reasons I was chosen for the Rolling Stones shoot was that, among other things, I was the only photographer in town who knew where to find and handle animals.” The resulting photographs became historically significant and continue to be exhibited and sold through galleries worldwide, including Iconic Images Gallery in London.
In addition to Beggars’ Banquet, Joseph considered photographing Harold Macmillan delivering the historic « Wind of Change » speech in Cape Town in 1960 one of his most important moments, reflecting the political influences of his youth.
In the late 1960s, Joseph also founded a successful lookalikes agency, recognizing a gap in the market for commercial shoots. Among its most notable clients was Jeannette Charles, who became famous for her career as a Queen Elizabeth II lookalike. His agency also supplied talent for advertising campaigns, including a notable Nike campaign featuring a John McEnroe lookalike in the 1980s.
Joseph’s advice to aspiring photographers is: “Always keep a camera handy, every minute of your living day.”
Legacy and recognition
Joseph’s work is part of several notable collections.
A color print of his Beggars’ Banquet photograph is part of the National Portrait Gallery’s permanent collection in Trafalgar Square, London.
His Rolling Stones works are available via the Iconic Images Gallery in London. Other notable and popular works can be viewed and purchased on this website, which is managed by Michael’s daughter, Justine.
Personal life
Joseph was married to Julia Lilian Joseph (7 December 1942 – 8 October 2019), who played a key role in managing the two businesses they ran together for over three decades.
References
The Rolling Stones’ Beggars’ Banquet – my best photograph | The Guardian
The London Magazine – Interview: Michael Joseph on the Rolling Stones Beggars Banquet shoot
Flashbak: Michael Joseph’s notorious 1971 orgy advertising campaign for Fernet Branca
Iconic Images: Michael Joseph Gallery
The Rhapsody: The story behind Beggars Banquet by Michael Joseph
