If you’ve followed my work as a Las Vegas Celebrity Photographer for a while, you know my photography is all about capturing the mood of a room. Whether it is a high-energy corporate event or a massive music festival, finding the authentic energy is everything. When I look back at some of my favorite assignments, one in particular stands out for bringing a completely different, highly intimate energy to the table. I had the incredible privilege of going behind the scenes with the undisputed Queen of Burlesque, Dita Von Teese, as she prepared for her Las Vegas residency.
Working as a Las Vegas celebrity photographer is a unique discipline. My ultimate goal stepping into that room was simple: to come back with truly iconic photos of her, because that is exactly who she is. Here is a look at how I approached this unforgettable assignment.
The Currency of Trust in Celebrity Photography
When I am asked to do a “behind the scenes” photoshoot with a high-profile talent, the most important element isn’t my camera gear—it’s trust. I was literally standing in Dita’s dressing room, stepping into her private space right before a major performance.
You have to be deeply respectful of the boundary between documenting the moment and interrupting it. There is no stage here. There is no controlled press line. It’s quiet, focused, and intimate. As a professional, you have to honor the atmosphere they are creating while making sure you get the shots your client needs.
Understanding the Editorial Assignment
A massive part of succeeding as a Las Vegas celebrity photographer is understanding exactly who you are shooting for. This specific feature was for WWD (Women’s Wear Daily). Because of the publication’s audience, I knew the imagery had to be incredibly fashion-forward.
I couldn’t just focus on standard portraiture; the fashion—both on and off her—had to be a major part of the narrative. This is where my love for tight, intimate shots really paid off. To tell the whole editorial story, I made sure to capture:
- The intricate, sparkling details of her burlesque costumes hanging in the background.
- Dedicated, macro-style stills of her stunning jewelry.
- Her hands as she perfected her signature red lip.
- The cinematic reflections in her vanity mirror.
Dita doesn’t just put on makeup; she creates a masterpiece. My job was to document that transformation.
The Gear: Fast, Compact, and Intentional
I had about an hour with her. From a portrait perspective, an hour is a luxury! But practically speaking, it’s nowhere near enough time to set up complex, multi-point studio lighting—especially when you are working entirely alone in a tight dressing room. I had to be able to move quickly and efficiently without dragging massive umbrellas around her private space.
My camera of choice for this shoot was the Nikon Z9, an absolute powerhouse. I primarily shot with the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S lens, which gave me the versatility to capture both wider contextual shots and tight, intimate details without constantly swapping gear. When I needed to adapt to the tight quarters or grab something specific, I also utilized my Z 14-30mm f/4 and the incredibly compact Z 40mm f/2.
For lighting, my solution was a single Godox AD200 used off-camera and modified with a MagMod MagSphere.
This compact setup was the absolute key to the shoot’s success. It gave me the beautiful, soft light I needed to flatter the subject and highlight the fashion, while still giving me the mobility to physically navigate the tight space. I kept my camera in “M” mode (Yes, put it in manual mode—don’t be scared!), constantly tweaking my exposure to balance my off-camera flash with the warm, dramatic glow of her vanity mirrors.
The Final Result
Getting to see an icon’s transformation up close is exactly why I love what I do. It requires you to be ambidextrous with your brain: deeply engaged in the quiet elegance of the moment, while your technical side is rapidly processing exposure, composition, and gear logistics.
If you want to see the final results of this shoot, you can check out the full gallery of my images featured over at WWD’s exclusive gallery here.
As always, I encourage fellow photographers to pause in the moment. Understand your assignment, build trust with your subject, and find what you love. Pursue that, and you will soon realize you have developed your own photographic style.
To see more of my work capturing the energy of the city, check out my full portfolio. If you have an upcoming project or event and are looking for a Las Vegas celebrity photographer, feel free to contact me—I would love to connect!
