Henry Diltz, the Serendipitous Photographer Behind Rock's Iconic Moments, Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award

Henry Diltz, a renowned photographer, considers his successful career in music photography to be a fortunate accident. Without any formal training or job prospects in photography, Diltz began taking pictures of his musician friends and enjoyed the adventurous lifestyle that came with it. His organic and unposed style captured private moments and unique perspectives of rock legends like David Crosby, Joni Mitchell, and The Eagles. Diltz's ability to connect with these musicians on a personal level allowed him to capture their true essence. This Wednesday, he will receive the Icon prize at the Abbey Road Music Photography Awards. Diltz recalls the beginnings of his photography career when he stumbled upon Japanese cameras at a second-hand store during a band tour. He and his friends started taking pictures and eventually held monthly slideshows showcasing their adventures. One fateful encounter with Stephen Stills led to Diltz photographing Buffalo Springfield and selling one of his pictures for $100, marking his first-ever earnings from photography. Another iconic photograph captured the formation of Crosby, Stills, and Nash, but a mishap prevented them from retaking the photo in the correct order. Diltz also had a serendipitous opportunity to photograph Paul McCartney and Linda Eastman for the cover of their RAM album. Throughout his career, Diltz maintained a documentary approach and never interfered with his subjects' natural behavior. As a result, he captured genuine moments of musicians such as Keith Richards drinking Jack Daniels, The Doors posing in front of the Morrison Hotel, and more. Diltz's talent and luck have immortalized him as an iconic music photographer.