JEFF DUNAS
Curriculum Vitae
Jeff Dunas (b. 1954 Los Angeles), is an American photographer whose work spans five decades. His work has appeared in hundreds of magazines, books, album covers and exhibitions. Though primarily known for his captivating portraits of musicians and entertainers, Dunas’ principal areas of work have also included, documentary, street photography and the fine art nude. He has made significant contributions to the world of photography as editor and publisher of photography books and magazines and is also the founder and director of the Palm Springs Photo Festival.
Jeff Dunas began photography professionally at 17 years of age.
1971 – 1974
Meets Legendary disc jockey Wolfman Jack and becomes house photographer. Photographs all celebrity interview guests and personal appearances.
1972
First publications: T.V. Guide and Time Magazine (Wolfman Jack).
Completed two years at University of California at Los Angeles
1973 – 2024
Photographes for advertising clients and contributed photographic essays and portfolios to publications worldwide
1974
Resides in London
1976
Established residence in Paris, France
1981
Founded Melrose Publishing Company.
Captured Women published in US, UK, French, German, Spanish & Japanese editions.
1982
Mademoiselle! Published in US, UK and Fench editions.
1983
Voyeur published in US, UK and French editions.
Founded Collector’s Editions Ltd., mail order distributor of fine art photography publications
1983-87
Published twenty four fine art photography books by various authors, including Paper Dolls by Art Kane and By the Sea by Robert Farber
1985-1988
Launched Collectors Photography magazine. Wrote and published over 100 interviews and profiles with photographers
1987
Acquired bi-monthly Darkroom Photography magazine. Changed title to Camera & Darkroom, increased frequency to monthly.
1988
Sold the Melrose Publishing Group
1989
Returned to commercial, fashion, beauty and fine art photography
1990
Creates the 27-page Laura cross-country essay with fiancé Laura Morton for Vanity Fair Italia
1994
Built Studio 1289 in Los Angeles
Produced and Directed 26 minute documentary film entitled Willy Ronis: Menilmontant / Belleville – Les Fruit du Hasard shown during the Month of Photography in Paris, France (Pavillion des Arts)
1996
Photographed rural Mississippi Delta region for one month – supported by Agfa GmbH and Mamiya Camera France
Created website DUNAS.COM
1998 State of the Blues published by Aperture Foundation
Golden Light Award, Maine Photographic Workshops for State of the Blues
Photographie Photokina Top Job Award
Finalist, Alfred Eisenstadt Award for Portraiture
2000
Received the Keeping the Blues Alive Award from the Blues Foundation, Memphis Tennessee
2002 / 2003
American Pictures published by Konemann (German, French and International English editons)
Jeff Dunas: Eros Fotografia (Published by Gruppo Editoriale L’Espresso, Milan)
Up Close & Personal Published by Merrell Publishers
Received Best People Photographer award from International Photography Awards competition
2006
Founded Palm Springs Photo Festival (first edition with Hossein Farmani) subsequently sole owner / Director
2006
Working America published with photography by Jeff Dunas, Steve McCurry & James Natchewey (Toyota / Saatchi)
2007 – Present
Director, Palm Springs Photo Festival. Produced 14 annual festivals for professional photographers. Event included master class workshops, symposiums, seminars, evening presentations and a trade show.
2008
Received Foto Mentor Award from Fotofusion
2009
American Character published by Chronicle Books with Dawoud Bey, Jeff Dunas, David Eustace, Mary Ellen Mark, Sylvia Plachy and others.
2010 – 2018
Partnered with Photo Plus Expo to produce the Portfolio Review at PhotoPlus Expo
2011
Joined Board of Trustees, George Eastman House Museum, Rochester
2014
Produced & directed PhotoSynthesis, a photography & music festival in Los Angeles for the Annenberg Foundation.
2020 – Present
Produced and hosted the Palm Springs Photo Festival Podcast
2021
Lucie Award for Best Photography Festival (Lucie Foundation)
2025
Featured large-scale exhibition at Xposure Photography Festival Exhibition, Sharjah U.A.E. American Pictures
PUBLIC & INSTITUTIONAL COLLECTIONS
Bancroft Library at UC Berkeley, Stevan A. Baron Photo/Book Collection
Bibliotheque Nationale, France
Collezione Fontana, Galleria Civila de Modena, Modena Italia
Collezione Lanfranco Colombo, Accademia Carrara di Bergamo, Italy
Don Sanders Collection of Photography, Houston, Texas
The Elizabeth Collection, Rochester, New York
George Eastman House Museum, Rochester, New York
Galerie Municipal du Château D’Eau, Toulouse, France
Getty Museum, Los Angeles
Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, University of Texas at Austin
La Collection FNAC, Musée Nicéphore Niépce, Chalon-sur-Saône, France
Leica Camera GmbH, New Jersey
Leica Camera GmbH, Solms, Germany
Live Nation, House of Blues Corporate Collection of Art, Los Angeles
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
Maison Europeen de la Photographie, Collection de la Ville de Paris
Margulies Collection, Miami, Florida
MR Collection, Brescia, Italy
Museo di Fotografia Contemporanea Ken Damy, Brescia, Italy
Museum of Fine Arts Houston
Polaroid Collection International, Offenbach, Germany
Sachs Foundation, Munich / Aspen
Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Santa Barbara
U.S. Sprint Collection
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
One-Person Exhibitions (partial list)
2025
Xposure Festival International Exhibition (Sharjah, UAE). American Pictures
2012
Gallery 478, San Pedro, September – November. State of the Blues
2010
Daniel Miller Gallery, Los Angeles: Mid-Career Retrospective: Four Bodies of Work. January – February
Muzeo, Anaheim, California. State of the Blues. February – July
2008
Museo di Santa Giula, Brescia, Italy Biennale della Fotografia IV. In Qualche Parte del Mondo. American Pictures June 12 September 30
2007
Palm Beach Photographic Center, Delray Beach, Florida. Up Close & Personal. January 1-30
2006
ArteF Fine Art Photography Gallery, Zurich. The Body Exposed in Fine Art Photography. Dunas, Araki, Bassman, Cunningham, Curtis, Davidson, Drktikol, Fontana, Friendlander Ritts, Mapplethorpe, Munkacsi, Klein, Leiter, Gibson, Horst, Siskind, Van der Elskin, Tenneson, Weston. August – September
2005
Contemporary American Photography Exhibition, International Fototage, Mannheim / Ludwigshafen, Germany. State of the Blues. June 16-July 10
La FNAC, Le Mans, France. American Pictures. January 17-March 26.
Ex convento dei crociferi, Pavia. Paesaggi del corpo. Dunas, Clergue, Fontana, Navarro. March – April
2004
Museo di Fotografia Contemporanea di Brescia. 30 Years Old. Bravo, Adams, Berengo Gardin, Charbonnier, Clergue, De Biasi, Dunas. Evans, Fontana, Giacomelli, Gibson, Hosoe, Jansis, Klein, Korda, McBride, Michals, Newton, Ropp, Saudek, Tenneson, Tress, Ueda, van der Elsken, Vogt. April – May
Associazione Culturale Fotografia Mediterranea, Alberobello. Fotografia in Puglia 2004. Dunas, Berengo Gardin, Galimberti, Scianna and others. November 2004 – January 2005
L’Arsenale (Lago d’Iseo, Italy), Up Close & Personal. June 10 – August 30, 2004
Aeroport Gallery 1 & 2, Frankfurt. Menschenbilder Internationale Fotokunst aus der Sammlung Günter Braus. Dunas, Blum, Clergue, Frajndlich, Garduno, Gilden, Henle, Horvat, Klein, Landy, Mangold, Parr, Rheims, Saudek, Vormwald, Wackerbarth and others. September – November
2003
ArcLight (Hollywood, California), Up Close & Personal. November 17, 2003 – January 15, 2004
Bertinoro City Hall, Bertinoro, Forli, Emilia Romagna, Italy. American Indians & Mountain Men. June 15 – July 6
Castello di Corigliano, Corigliano, Calabro, Italy. The Expressive Nude. July 22 – August 20
Ritz Theater, La Villa Museum, Jacksonville, Florida. State of the Blues. September 25 – November 20
Off Main Gallery, Bergamot Station, Santa Monica, California. American Indians. November 9 – December 5
Daniel Azoulay Gallery, Miami, Florida. American Pictures. November 7 – December 2
2002
Off Main Gallery, Bergamot Station, Santa Monica, California Up Close & Personal. November 16 – December 31
Media Rare / Off Main Gallery, Bergamot Station, Santa Monica, California State of the Blues. December 2002 – February 7, 2003
FotoFest Vine Street Gallery, Houston, Texas. State of the Blues. October 25 – December 9.
The Original Gallery, Nice, France. American Pictures. September 30-October 30
The Elizabeth Collection, Rochester, New York, Three Directions: Recent Work September 13-October 27
La FNAC Nimes, Nimes, France, American Pictures July 2 – September 7
Matrix Gallery, Brescia, Italia. Indian & Mountain Men June 13-September 8
Ohr O’Keefe Museum of Art, Biloxi, Mississippi, State of the Blues, May 3-June 15
La FNAC Italie, Paris, France, American Pictures, March 12-April 15
2001
Stephen Cohen Gallery, Los Angeles, American Pictures, November 9 – December 29
Lubbock Fine Art Center, Lubbock, Texas. State of the Blues, September 1 – October 31
Leica AG, Solms, Germany. Il Nudo Italiano. July – August.
Palm Beach Photographic Centre, Palm Beach, Florida. American Pictures. January – March.
2000
Museo di Fotographia Contemporanea, Brescia, Italy, Nudo Italiano, July 22- August 21
African American Cultural Museum, Philadelphia, State of the Blues, June 1 – August 30
1999
African American Museum, Dallas, Texas, State of the Blues, September 24-November 28
Museo di Fotographia Contemporanea, Brescia, Italy, Blues Legends, June 6 – July 11
DuSable Museum of African American History, Chicago, State of the Blues, June 3 – September 12
Catherine Edelman Gallery, Chicago, State of the Blues, June 4 – July 10
Fahey Klein Gallery, Los Angeles, State of the Blues, May 27, July 10
American Jazz Museum, Kansas City, Missouri, State of the Blues,May 7 – September 12
21st International Foto Festival, Knokke – Heist, Belgium, 20 Years of Nudes, March 28 – April 18
California African American Museum, Los Angeles, State of the Blues, February 5- March 28
1998
Delta Blues Museum, Clarksdale, Mississippi, State of the Blues. Inaugural Exhibition. November 1998 – January 1999
Imagine Galerie, Modena, Italia, Nudes, 6 June – 3 July
1997
Shadai Gallery, Tokyo Institute of Polytechnics, Tokyo, Japan. Laura, May 21-July 31
Hotel du Forum, Arles, France. 28ieme Rencontres d’Arles, “20 ans de nus“. July
Musée Tour Carre, St. Maxime, France – Rencontres d’Aphoram, St. Maxim, France 20ans de Nus May 21-June 1
Galerie Aphoram, Ramatuelle, France 20 ans de nus, June 4-July 3
House of Blues, Los Angeles; Permanent Installation, Legends of Blues
1996
Hotel du Forum, 27ieme Rencontres d’Arles, Arles France 16 portraits from Legends of the Blues series. July 4-21
Museo di Fotografia Contemporanea, Milano, Italia America June 3 – July 2
1995
Leica Headquarters, Solms, Germany. Laura” October 1-30
Museo di Fotografia Contemporanea, Brescia, Italia America June 25-July 20
1994
Camargue Regional Parc du Camargue, Centre Ginés, Saintes-Maries- de-la-Mer, France. Native Americans
Museo di Fotografia Contemporanea, Milano, Milan, Italy, Laura November 8-26
Hotel du Forum, Arles, France Laura – 20 Images July 5-13 25ieme Rencontres d’Arles. Sponsored by Leica Camera GMBH.
1993
Museo di Fotografia Contemporanea, Brescia, Italy The Laura Series. September 12 – October 11
Accademia Belle Arti di Bologna, Bologna, Italy, The Blue Series. April 1-30
1992
Rosamilia Photogallery, Salerno, Italy. American Indian and Mountain Men. September 20 – October 4.
Ken Damy Photogallery, Milan. American Indian and Mountain Men Series. May 5-June 4.
1991
Rosamilia Photogallery, Salerno, Italia. Duotones and Blue Series Capovolto Galleria D’Arte, Montichiari, Italy
1990
Ken Damy Photogallery, Milan. Blue Series and Duotones series.
Eastman Kodak Exhibit, Cour des Podestats, 21ieme Rencontres d’Arles, Arles, France. American Indian and Mountain Men Series
1989
New England Photographic Workshops, New Milford, Connecticut. Recent Work
1988
Festival “Off,” Arles, France. Public projection of The Blue Series
1985
Photokina, Cologne
1983
Tekno Gallery, Los Angeles
1981
G. Ray Hawkins Gallery, Los Angeles. Captured Women
Chicago Status Gallery, Chicago. Captured Women
Neikrug Photographica Gallery, New York. Captured Women.
Group Exhibitions
2025
Blue Sky Gallery, Seattle. A Personal History of Photography curated by Michelle Dunn Marsh. Adams, Beal, Carucci, CHalmers, Christenberry, Davidson, Dunas, Fink, Hillard, Kereszi, Mark, Marshall, Nash, Plachy, Richards, Shore, Steichen, Strand, Weems and others. July – August
2010
Experience Museum, Seattle. Graham Nash’s Rock and Roll Photographs.
2009
Los Angeles / Berlin. Douglas Busch, Jeff Dunas, Werner Huthmacher, Jürgen Nogai, Ruth Hutter
2008
Beinnale Internazionale di Fotografia di Brescia 2008. In Qualche Parte del Mondo. Basilico, Beato, Curtis, Dunas, Firth, Galimberti, González Palma, Jansis, Lehnert Y Landrock, Norfolk, Wenders and others.
2006
ArteF Fine Art Photography Gallery, Zürich. The Body Exposed in Fine Art Photography. Araki, Bassman, Bitesnich, Carter, Cunningham, Curtis, Davidson, Drtikol, Dunas, Fontana, Friedlander, Gibson, Horst, Hosoe, Izu, Klein, Leiter, Mapplethorpe, Munhacsi, Occhiomagico, Ritts, Ruben, Serrano, SHerman, Siskind, Tenneson, van der Elsken, Weston.
Flatfile Galleries, Chicago, Illinois. Lucien Clergue, Jeff Dunas, Claudio Andreini. Undressed: Classic Nude Photography. March 3-April 30
2005
Contemporary American Photography Exhibition International Fototage, Mannheim / Ludwigshafen, Germany. State of the Blues. June 16-July 10
Convento dei Crociferi, Pavia, Italia. Paesaggi del Corpo with Lucien Clergue, Franco Fontana and Rafael Navarro. 8 March – 10 April
FlatFile Galleries, Chicago, Illinois. Fame. January 7-February 6.
2004
Museum im Deutschhof, Heilbronn. Enthüllt. Das Aktbild in der Fotokunst des 20. Jahrhunderts. Cunnigham, Dunas, Lee, Newton, Sherman, Tillmans, Weston. April – July
Biennale Internazionale di Fotografia di Brescia 2004. Clergue, Dunas, Erwitt, González Palma, Jansis, Michals, Mulas, Navarro Saudek, Tenneson. June – September.
La Conciergerie, Paris France. La Collection Photographique de la FNAC. October 30 – November 30.
Airport Gallery 1 und 2, Frankfurt. Menschenbilder Internationale Fotokunst aus der Sammlung Günter Braus. Blum, Clergue, Dunas, Edinger, Frajndlich, Garduno, Gilden, Henle, Horvat, Klein, Landy, Parr, Rheims, RIchter, Saudek, Uferas, Vormwald and others. September – November
Associazione Culturale Fotografia Mediterranea, Alberobello. Fotografia in Puglia 2004. Berengo Gardin, Dunas, Galimberti, Jodice, Scianna, and others. November 2004 – January 2005
2003
Daniel Azoulay Gallery, Miami, Florida. Summer Group Show
Photographs Do Not Bend Gallery, Dallas, Texas. Mondo Cane (A Dog’s World), May 30 – July 5.
2001
Ataraxia Gallery, 28th Rencontres d’Arles, Arles, France. American Pictures: Color Work. Group SHow with Jock Sturges& James Fee
2000
Leica Magic Moments II Curated by Michael Koetzle
1995
Tra Pittura e Fotograpfia – AAB, Brescia, Italy
Focus on Aids Exhibition and Auction, Director’s Guild, Hollywood, California
1994
40 Years of Leica, Travelling Exhibition
1993
San Marino International Photomeeting Jeff Dunas, Mario Giacomelli, Eikoh Hosoe. San Marino Italy. Bologna, and Rassegna, Italy. Erotica
1992
L.A. Nude III. Photo Impact Gallry Hollywood. The Black Book Show, Los Angeles, New York
1991
Fondazione Ragghianti, Lucca. Il Nudo in Fotografia, traveled to venues in Brescia and Milano.
The Black Book Show, Los Angeles, New York.
1990
Giornate Internazionali di Fotografie, Allessandria, Italy. Nudo Artistico.
Journee d’Images Professionals, Arles, France The Fine Art Nude
Palermo Photographic Workshops, Palermo, Italy
Silver Image Gallery, Seattle. The Fine Art Nude.
1989
Salon de la Photo, Paris. The Contemporary Nude: Three Photographers.
G. Ray Hawkins Gallery, Los Angeles. Focus on AIDS Benefit
20ieme Rencontres d’ Arles, France. Public projection: Lucien Clergue: History of the Nude in Photography.
1988
G. Ray Hawkins Gallery, Los Angeles. The Nude Male/Female.
1986
Das Aktfoto,traveled to venues in Munich, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Vienna, Dortmund, Hamburg, Erlangen, Bremen, Geneva, Zurich, Milan, Rome and Paris.
Photokina, Cologne.
1982
Neikrug Photographica Gallery, New York. The Nude
Creatus Gallery, Paris. Contemporary Nudes
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Monographs on the Artist
. Only in America (Melrose, 2025). Limited edition only. Available through Jeff Dunas Studio
The Unscripted Theater of Public Places (Melrose 2025). Limited edition only. Available through Jeff Dunas Studio
The Garden Project (Melrose 2025). Limited edition only. Available through Jeff Dunas Studio
Twenty Somethings, (Melrose 2025) Limited edition only. Available though Jeff Dunas Studio.
Highway 61 to Honeyboy (One Picture Book, Nazraeli Press). 2024
The Blues, Complete 2005 Calendar, Pomegranate, Petaluma, California 2004
Up Close & Personal (Merrell, 2003). Available through Jeff Dunas Studio
Jeff Dunas: Eros Fotografia (Published by Gruppo Editoriale L’Espresso, Milan) 2003
American Pictures (Konemann / Aperture 2002). Available through Jeff Dunas Studio
State of the Blues (Aperture / Konemann 1998/1999). Available through Jeff Dunas Studio
Laura (Edizioni del Museo, Brescia, 1995) Museum Catalogue. Out of Print
Disappearing America (Edizioni del Museo, Brescia, 1993) Museum Catalogue.
Jeff Dunas: Indian and Mountain Men ((Edizioni del Museo, Brescia, 1992) Museum Catalogue
Jeff Dunas: Blue Series 1982-1988 / Bichromie 1988-1990, (Edizioni Del Museo, Brescia 1991)
Jeff Dunas. Cologne: Taco Verlag, 1989. Includes text by Angelika Muthesius. German, French and English text.
Voyeur (Melrose / Love Me Tender / Patrick Stephens Ltd, 1983). Out of Print
Mademoiselle! (Melrose / Filipacchi, 1982). Out of Print
Captured Women (Melrose / Filipacchi / Swann Verlag / Patrick Stephens Ltd / Editions Blume / Fleet Books 1982). Out of Print
OTHER TITLES
American Character, Dawoud Bey, Jeff Dunas, David Eustace, Mary Ellen Mark, Sylvia Plachy and others. (Chronicle Books) 2009
Working America , Jeff Dunas, Steve McCurry & James Natchewey (Toyota / Saatchi) 2006
Contemporary American Erotic Photography, Chris Callis, Phillip Dixon, Jeff Dunas, Robert Farber, Art Kane, Antonin Kratochvil, Stan Malinowski, Robert Mapplethorpe, Richard Noble and others. (Melrose) 1984
ALBUMS & COMPACT DISKS
2013
Johnny Mathis, Sending You a Little Christmas. Columbia
2012
Janiva Magness, Stronger for It. Alligator
2010
Johnny Mathis, Misty, Columbia Records
Janiva Magness, The Devil is an Angel Too. Alligator
2008
Johnny Mathis, A Night to Remember, Columbia Records
Janiva Magness What Love Will Do, Alligator Records
2006
Keb’Mo’ Suitcase Epic Records
Janiva Magness, Do I Move You?, Alligator Records
2004
Alice Coltrane, “Translinear Light,” Verve
Janiva Magness, Bury Him At the Crossroads, Alligator
Solomon Burke, Soul Lucky. Music Avenue
2002
Kenny Rankin, A Song for You, Verve
Ryuichi Sakamoto, Femme Fatale. Universal
2001
John Hammond, Wicked Grin, Virgin Records
Ike Turner, Here and Now, Rooster Records
Aaliya, Aaliya. Virgin Records (Back Cover art)
2000
Eric Sardinas, Angel Face. Evidence Music
1999
Etta James, Heart of a Woman. Windham Hill Group
Mo Rogers, GRP Music, Inc
Eric Sardinas, Treat Me Right. Evidence Music
1998
Lazy Lester, Blues Stop Knockin’ Antones
Etta James, Love, Life & The Blues. Windham Hill Group
1997
Leon Russell, Retrospective, Capital Records
James McNally, Every Breath, Windham Hill Group
Howard and the White Boys, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?, Chase Music Group
Duke Robillard Dangerous Places, Virgin Records
1996
Neil Diamond Tennessee Moon, Columbia
Kenny Wayne Shepherd Aberdeen, Revolution (Warner Bros
William Clarke, The Hard Way, Alligator Records
Slow Jams: The Timeless Collection Volume 6. The Right Stuff
1994
Slow Jams: The Timeless Collection Volume 1. The Right Stuff
1992
Suzanna Hoffs, Unconditional Love, Sony Music
1991
Dana Dawson, Tell Me Bonita, Columbia
Greene String Quartet, The String Machine, Virgin. (back cover)
1982
Joseph Williams, MCA Records
Phillippe Lavil, Il Tap Sur Des Bambous. RCA Editeur (back cover)
Flower. Montage Records (back cover)
1980
Bobby Cauldwell. Cat in the Hat, TK Records
1979.
Pieces. Liberty / United Records
1977
Walter Jackson, I want to Come Back As a Song, Chi-Town Records
Theresa Waiter, For the First Time Out. United Artists (Album Art)
1976
Isaac Hayes, Groove a Thon’, ABC Records
Olivia Newton John, Come on Over, MCARecords
Olviia Newton John Don’t Stop Believing, MCA Records (back cover)
Hellen Reddy, Music Music, Capital Records
Walter Jackson, Feeling Good, United Artists
1975
Angel, Casablanca Records
AWARDS
2021 Lucie Foundation Award: Best Photography Festival for Palm Springs Photo Festival
2007 FotoFusion: FotoMentor Lifetime Achievement Award
2003 International Photography Awards, People Photographer of the Year
2000 Blues Foundation, W.C. Handy Keeping the Blues Alive Award
1998 Golden Light Awards State of the Blues.
Photographie Photokina 1998 Top Job Award
1994 Print Magazine Photography Award. Self Promotion Category.
1993 Washington Journalism Review Honorary Mention News Series
1988 New York Art Director’s Club Gold Award for Collectors Photography
Two Maggie Awards (Western Publication Association) awarded for Collectors Photography
One Maggie Award (Western Publication Association) awarded for Darkroom Photography
Benny (Printing Industry Association) award for Collectors Photography
1986 Six Certificates of Merit awarded from the New York Art Director’s Club for Collectors Photography and By the Sea by Robert Farber.
1985 Benjamin Franklin Award (Publisher’s Marketing Association) for By the Sea by Robert Farber
1987 Three Maggies (Western Publication Association) for Collectors Photography
1974 Certificate of Merit from Los Angeles Art Director’s Club. “The One Show.” For Viva Magazine portfolio.