In 1940, Halsman moved to the United States after leaving France during World War II. His career expanded significantly in America, particularly through his relationship with Life magazine. Halsman eventually produced numerous photographs for the magazine and created many memorable covers. His portraits of famous people helped define the visual culture of the period.
He photographed a remarkable range of personalities, including Marilyn Monroe, Albert Einstein, Audrey Hepburn, Winston Churchill, Alfred Hitchcock, John F. Kennedy, and Salvador Dalí. His ability to work with very different subjects demonstrated his versatility as a photographer. Whether he was photographing a scientist, movie star, artist, or political leader, he searched for a visual idea that would make the portrait distinctive.
