Ben Baker: Photographing the World's Most Powerful People

From humble beginnings as a photographer’s assistant in Adelaide, Ben Baker has cultivated a life photographing the most powerful people in the world.



Through his work with Time Magazine, Fortune, Politico, and The Sunday Times, Ben has photographed media moguls such as Rupert Murdoch, superstar celebrities the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio and Hugh Jackman, visionary innovators like Elon Musk, and political heavyweights including Michael Bloomberg, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.

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Happy 57th birthday President Obama. A joy to publish this unseen portrait from a magazine shoot just as a junior Senator was to be become the 44th President.

A post shared by Ben Baker (@benbakerphoto) on Aug 4, 2018 at 4:04pm PDT

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#tbt to photographing Don Cheadle at the Toronto film festival for Premiere Magazine. Cheadle is one of those actors with incredible range. From Boogie Nights, to Oceans Eleven, Hotel Rwanda and even the Marvel series. He got his start in one of my favorite comedies, Moving violations. Those who like Police Academy or Airplane will love it.

A post shared by Ben Baker (@benbakerphoto) on Jul 12, 2018 at 2:21pm PDT

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We know we that time changes how we judge events and people. When George Bush was in office he would often say just that. I don’t think at the time he thought it would only take 8 years and a reality tv host to do it. Today he turns 72 years old. This pic was from a magazine shoot at his Presidential library in Dallas. #happybirthdaymrpresident #howdoyoulikemenow

A post shared by Ben Baker (@benbakerphoto) on Jul 6, 2018 at 9:11am PDT

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#tbt to a very early shoot in NYC with a much younger Adam Levine of Maroon 5. A band I had never heard of or thought would still be here 15 years later. Shot for US magazine.

A post shared by Ben Baker (@benbakerphoto) on Jun 28, 2018 at 12:36pm PDT

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Here's little #bts of my time with Senator Flake. I found him very reserved and almost shy. In many ways he reminded me of the first time I photographed Mitt Romney, who is also quiet, thoughtful and considered. Maybe it's their similar religious background. He showed me his family portrait and just like Mitt he has the best looking all American kids. I am yet to read his book but I should. I remember Obama speaking at a commencement address that for us to come together we need to get out of our tribal bubbles and listen to what others are saying. I have tried that with my Apple news feed and its incredible to read the different headlines from the same news story. Try reading the news from the Huffpost and Fox on the same day...

A post shared by Ben Baker (@benbakerphoto) on Jun 14, 2018 at 1:00pm PDT

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the 2018 midterms are on the horizon but there's a number of people not in the race ater deciding it was time to wrap up their DC days. I shot a project for Politco Magazine in the US Capitol spending some time with the retirees. Some have had enough and some realise in todays polarized climate it just wasn't worth it. The first face in the series is Senator Jeff Flake, the Arizona Republican who's been a lone opposition voice against the Trumpification of the Republican party. He maybe preparing to run or maybe he just wants out, we shall see. Here are a few of his best lines and worth remembering regardless of party. "Between the mighty and the modest, truth is the great leveler." "If we compromise the truth for the sake of our politics, we are lost."

A post shared by Ben Baker (@benbakerphoto) on Jun 14, 2018 at 11:06am PDT

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What’s the biggest news this week, Nuclear Armageddon is off the table, The Muller investigation is about to heat up or that the US primaries have proved we are more polarized then ever before? Or maybe the Olson twins turning 32 today. Cheers. #fromthearchives

A post shared by Ben Baker (@benbakerphoto) on Jun 13, 2018 at 4:00pm PDT

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Presidents’ Day 1992-2018

A post shared by Ben Baker (@benbakerphoto) on Feb 19, 2018 at 7:24am PST

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#tbt to probably the last time this guy was on his roof. I have a feeling this post will get a few comments.

A post shared by Ben Baker (@benbakerphoto) on Sep 21, 2017 at 12:42pm PDT

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It's only fitting that my final Obama post is the one that means the most to me. This image was taken at the end of the Fortune Magazine shoot in North Carolina. During the shoot I kept asking Obama if I could travel with him on his plane, which he laughed at. I asked if I could get in his car with him, that was a no. I settled on photographing him walking outside and getting in his SUV. I didn't think much would be gained but you never know. I decided on a very low angle to emphasize his height and to get a clean background. Obama came right over to me, pointing his finger inches from the lens, and just as quickly jumped in his SUV and was off. There was only enough time for one frame but sometimes that's all it takes.

A post shared by Ben Baker (@benbakerphoto) on Jan 20, 2017 at 5:01am PST

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Yes, I guess you realize by now I've enjoyed photographing the First Lady over the years. I remember this moment, we were talking about her let's move program and how we both love tennis. While we were talking about that I was also thinking about a million other things..cameras, lights, magazine layouts, time left, next shot and making it all count.

A post shared by Ben Baker (@benbakerphoto) on Jan 18, 2017 at 3:04pm PST

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Text, image and video via Henry Thong [  Follow Makers Who Inspire ]

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