Jake Chessum (b. 1967, London) is an acclaimed portrait and street photographer known for his graphic clarity and spontaneous energy. Introduced to photography by his father, he earned a BA in Graphic Design from the Saint Martins School of Art before launching his career in the 1990s. As a defining visual chronicler of London’s cool era, he shot regularly for The Face and Arena, capturing rising stars like Kate Moss, Beck, LL Cool J, and David Bowie.

In 1999, Chessum relocated permanently to New York City. His relaxed, collaborative approach led to major assignments for The New York Times Magazine and iconic portraits of figures like Barack Obama, Robert De Niro, Amy Winehouse, Jay-Z, Quentin Tarantino, and Snoop Dogg. Today, three of his seminal works reside in the permanent collection of London's National Portrait Gallery. Beyond editorial work, Chessum is a dedicated street photographer and author of The New York Look Book. His extensive archive serves as an extraordinary cultural time capsule, highly valued by institutions and contemporary collectors alike.