CLOCKWISE FORM TOP: a photo of Jenny McCarthy from the book; a self portrait of photographer Mark Liddell; Exposed book cover.
Jamaica-born photographer Mark Liddell is celebrating a decade of shooting industry A-listers with his book, Exposed: 10 Years in Hollywood (Channel Photographics; $30), but he’s quick to point out he aspired for more than a typical coffee-table tome. “There was no point in just doing a book for my ego; I felt there had to be something more than that,” says Liddell, who ranks among the go-to lensmen for the celebrity set.
After hearing a pre-election interview with Barack Obama, Liddell found the impetus for Exposed. “I was really inspired by this politician who ultimately became our president. He was so passionate about the idea of giving back,” says Liddell. “It occurred to me I could bring attention to causes that are important to me as part of the journey of the last 10 years.” Proceeds from Exposed benefit two LA-based organizations: the Jenesse Center, which aids victims of domestic violence, and the Trevor Project, a teen suicide-prevention program.
Amid Liddell’s imagery are interviews with some of his favorite subjects—Jessica Alba, Sharon Stone, Halle Berry and Annie Lennox among them—about the causes close to their hearts. “It’s not just a book of pictures,” he says. “Melissa Etheridge talks about gay marriage; Jenny McCarthy talks about her work for autism. I get fed up when people say the celebrity world is so shallow, and I wanted to show it isn’t. There are messages and questions—maybe some you’ll agree with, some you won’t. But it will push you to another level of thought.”
