fter graduating from the New York University Fillm School in 1971, Ira moved to Hollywood and embarked on a decade-long career as a professional photographer.  While there, he captured images throughout the 1970s of famous rock performances and stars, including the Rolling Stones, Joni Mitchell, Paul McCartney and Wings, as well as up-and-coming actors, actresses and performers like a very young Bill Paxton, Sissy Spacek, Robert Klein, Lily Tomlin, Annie Potts, the 1978 cast of Saturday Night Live and many more.  He sent a lot of his photos overseas as part of his work for Media Press International and Globe Photos.  He also documented some very eclectic “collections” – everything from Satanic memorabilia at a house in Bolinas, California to Rock Hudson’s assortment of sculpted male nudes – all for a magazine called “Collector’s Voice.”

Ira's passion for photography continues today.  He is a trustee of the International Center for Photography and plans on exhibiting some of his work in the near future.

Below is a selection of celebrity photographs taken during the 1970s and '80s.  Click on a thumbnail to view an image and begin a slideshow of the gallery.