Must-watch photographers movies that capture the art behind the lens
As you, my lovely readers, have appreciated my earlier article on the best artist biopic films, I thought it was time to give photographers the spotlight they deserve. This list is a personal selection of photographers movies, intended to inspire anyone who appreciates the art of capturing the world through a lens.
Just a note before we begin: I’ve consciously left out films focused on war photographers or heavy photojournalism. That kind of work deserves immense respect, but I find it hard to emotionally connect with the act of photographing trauma. My focus here is on artistic photographers, those who explore beauty, oddity, or intimacy through their lens. So, grab a cup of tea and let’s talk about six unforgettable films that explore the lives of photographers.
Here are 6 photographers movies that are definitely worth your time.
Mapplethorpe
This film is a bold, often unflinching portrait of Robert Mapplethorpe, known for his elegant floral still lifes as much as for his deeply provocative portraits of New York’s underground scene. “Mapplethorpe” doesn’t shy away from complexity: it shows his hunger for beauty, his fearless curiosity, and his refusal to sanitise life or art. I loved how the film captured the duality of his work, delicate orchids on one hand, leather-clad bodies on the other. Both equally sincere, both equally beautiful in his eyes. Watching this felt like stepping into a darkroom, where beauty slowly reveals itself in layers.
Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus
This isn’t your average biopic, it’s part fantasy, part mood piece, and all Diane Arbus. Nicole Kidman plays Arbus as she tiptoes out of her buttoned-up life into the raw, surreal world of outsiders and misfits. While the film takes plenty of liberties with historical fact, it absolutely nails the spirit of Arbus’ work: deeply human, tender, strange, and fearless. I’ve always admired her ability to look at the world slantwise and still make it feel like home. The movie lingers with you, much like Arbus’s photographs, you’re never quite sure what you’re feeling, but you know it’s something real.
Everlasting moments
This Swedish film is one of those quiet, powerful stories that sneak up on you. Maria Larsson, a working-class mother in early 20th-century Sweden, unexpectedly discovers photography after winning a camera in a lottery. Her world is hard, marked by poverty, a difficult marriage, and endless chores, but through the lens, she finds beauty, independence, and quiet resistance. What I loved about this film was its meditative pace; you feel the weight of every photograph she takes. It made me reflect on how accessible photography is today, and how easily we forget what a wonder it once was to capture a single moment. If you need a reminder of how transformative photography can be, this one’s for you. There’s also a website that has archived her photographs and business cards, which is well worth exploring.
Life
This beautifully shot film tells the story of Dennis Stock, the Life magazine photographer who took some of the most iconic images of James Dean. Set in the 1950s, it explores the evolving relationship between Stock (played by Robert Pattinson) and Dean (played by Dane DeHaan), just before Dean’s meteoric rise to fame. The dynamic between the two is subtle, almost quiet, but full of emotional tension. I found myself mesmerised by how the film portrays the photographer not as a passive observer, but as someone deeply entangled in his subject’s life. It’s a reminder that behind every iconic photograph is a very human exchange.
Pecker
This one’s a little different, more satire than drama, but hear me out. “Pecker” follows a quirky teenager in Baltimore (played by Edward Furlong) who becomes an overnight art-world sensation thanks to his candid, sometimes awkward photos of friends and family. Loosely inspired by John Waters’ own experiences and creative circle, it’s a cheeky take on the absurdity of art-world fame. While it’s not a biopic in the traditional sense, it’s a hilarious, sometimes biting reflection on what happens when honest artistic expression is chewed up by hype and spectacle. If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at a gallery press release, this one’s for you.
Finding Vivian Maier
Okay, this one’s technically a documentary, but it tells the story of such a mysterious and powerful photographer that I couldn’t leave it out. Vivian Maier was a nanny who secretly took more than 150,000 photographs during her lifetime, most of which were never shown to anyone. Her work, discovered by chance at an auction, is now regarded as some of the most important street photography of the 20th century. The film follows the man who uncovered her archive and sets out to understand the woman behind the lens. It’s a fascinating portrait of a true outsider artist, someone who created for the sake of creation, without need for recognition. Her story is a strange, beautiful riddle that still hasn’t been completely solved.
Final thoughts
Each of these films invites us into the intimate world of a photographer, how they see, what they feel, and the risks they take to share their vision with the rest of us. Whether it’s the quiet defiance of Maria Larsson or the seductive provocation of Mapplethorpe, these artists remind us that photography is about perception. Obsession. And sometimes, rebellion.
If you’ve seen any of these films, or have a favourite I haven’t mentioned, I’d love to hear about it. And if you haven’t seen them yet, maybe this weekend is the perfect time to get inspired.