Norman Parkinson

Norman Parkinson
Born
Ronald William Parkinson Smith

(1913-04-21)21 April 1913
London, England
Died15 February 1990(1990-02-15) (aged 76)
StylePortrait and fashion photographer
Spouses
Margaret (Peggy) Mitchell-Banks
(m. 1935)
Thelma Woolley née Blay
(m. 1942)
Wenda Rogerson
(m. 1951)
AwardsCBE
32 Landford Road, Putney
Blue plaque, 32 Landford Road

Norman Parkinson CBE (21 April 1913 – 15 February 1990) was an English portrait and fashion photographer. His work revolutionised British fashion photography, as he moved his subjects out of the studio and used outdoor settings. While serving as a Royal Air Force photographer in World War II, he started with Vogue magazine, discovering several famous models. He became an official royal photographer in 1969, taking photographs for Princess Anne's 19th birthday and the Investiture portrait of Charles III as Prince of Wales. Many other royal portraits included official portraits of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother for her 75th birthday. He was known for using elements of humour in his photographs. Parkinson received many honours during his life including the Royal Photographic Society's Progress Medal, the Lifetime Achievement Award of the American Society of Magazine Photographers, a Google Doodle, and a British postage stamp.