Steven Paul Whitsitt

Steven Paul Whitsitt (born October 25, 1960) is an American portrait, architecture, and fashion photographer. He was Michael Jackson’s personal photographer from 1994 to 1996, during the HIStory period

Early life Born in Port Huron, Michigan. He also covered Jackson’s philanthropy work with hospital visits and with the Heal the World Foundation.

In 2017, Whitsitt appeared as a guest at Kingvention, the annual Michael Jackson fan convention in London, where he exhibited a selection of previously unseen photographs of Jackson from his personal archive.

Charlie Chaplin and the "Smile" single album cover Jackson always had an affinity toward Charlie Chaplin, and especially his film "The Kid." In 1994, Michael wanted to shoot a single cover for the song “Smile” in the same style as a scene from the movie where Charlie Chaplin's character sits on a stoop with Jackie Coogan in a publicity photo. He helped produce the shoot and took the photo used on the album cover. He also shot several close-up portrait shots of Michael while Michael was in the Charlie Chaplin costume. The Chaplin photos were also featured at the Yuz Museum Shangai's "Charlie Chaplin. A Vision" exhibition in 2018. This is a touring collection established by the Musée de l'Élysée. and later moved to North Carolina.

Architectural photography He has worked as a residential and commercial architectural photographer since 2003, and has authored/co-authored 6 books on architectural photography, all published by Schiffer Publishing Ltd.:

Arts & Crafts Houses Lowcountry Plantations: Georgia & South Carolina Esherick, Maloof, and Nakashima: Homes of the Master Wood Artisans Handmade Houses The Kitchen Guide Built with Stone: Eight Contemporary Artisans

He has received 6 Houzz awards for Best of: Design and Best of: Service from 2014 to 2017.