Rick Diamond: 50 Years of Photos!

Over the last 50 years Rick Diamond has photographed thousands of concerts and events. His subjects have included US Presidents, internationally known musicians, along with famous athletes and actors. His work includes images of Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, Beyoncé, Stevie Nicks, The Allman Brothers, Elton John, Dolly Parton, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Tony Bennett, Michael Stipe, Willie Nelson, Farrah Fawcett, ZZ Top, Tom Petty, Prince, and hundreds of others. In recent years, friends and colleagues have asked him where they can purchase his classic images. Some of Rick’s photos are now available on his website: rickdiamondphoto.com.

Rick’s photography career began after attending an Allman Brothers concert in Ft. Lauderdale, FL in 1970. After becoming friends with their tour manager, he was cleared to shoot their concerts. That was the beginning of Rick’s life-long passion for photography.

In 1974 Rick relocated to Atlanta, GA. He was excited to explore the city’s booming music scene and quickly discovered Alex Cooley’s Electric Ballroom, The Great Southeast Music Hall, and Richards nightclub. Promoters Alex Cooley and Rich Floyd gave him access to shoot at their venues, as well as shows at the Omni and Fox Theatre.

Governor Jimmy Carter was running for President in 1975 and after meeting his son Chip, then the rest of the family, Rick was invited to be their campaign photographer. Rick also covered Carter’s inauguration, but the president used a military photographer during his time in D.C. from 1977-1981. When the president came home to Georgia, he called on Rick to take photos again, including the groundbreaking ceremony and opening of The Carter Center in Atlanta in 1982. Rick was the photographer for the center and the Carters official family photographer until the end of 2003.

In 1979-1980 Rick’s friend Andrew Slater was offered a gig to go on the road with The Eagles as a journalist. He recruited Rick to take photos. After three dates, Don Henley and Glenn Frey said YES to Andrew as their official journalist and Rick as the photographer for the “The Long Run” tour.

From 1986-1996 Rick was hired as a photographer for several companies at The Super Show, the world’s largest sports trade show. The event was sponsored by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association and took place in Atlanta, GA. Rick photographed numerous athletes at the show including Barry Bonds, Herschel Walker, Dan Marino, Mike Schmidt, and Sugar Ray Leonard.

In 1990 friends Rob Senn (Atlantic Records) and Mike Greene, President/CEO of The Recording Academy, asked Rick to shoot The Grammys in LA. He was The Recording Academy’s official photographer until 2000.

Around 2002, Rick joined WireImage and photographed all kinds of events. In 2007 Getty Images bought WireImage, expanded their entertainment coverage, and hired Rick as a full-time staff photographer. While shooting for Getty, he spent more than 200 days a year in Nashville, covering CMT and ACM Awards, as well as concerts and events at The Ryman Auditorium, TPAC, and Ascend Amphitheater. Through Getty, Rick’s photos have been seen in thousands of media outlets around the world.

In 2020, after 50 years, Rick retired. But as he likes to say, “have camera, will travel.” Photography will always be his passion. When he heads out the door, he’s sure to have a camera with him to capture images of scenery on his travels, or to take photos of his musician friends.

Media Contact: Karen Hatchett at Hatchett PR - karen@hatchettpr.com