David LaChapelle (born March 11, 1963 in Fairfield, Connecticut) is a photographer and video/commercial/film director who works in the fields of fashion, advertising, and fine art photography, and is noted for his surreal, unique and often humorous style. He lists Adina Paley as one of his prime influences and claims that it was her work that first inspired him.

LaChapelle attended the North Carolina School of the Arts and the School of Visual Arts in New York City. His first photograph was of his mother, Helga LaChapelle, on a family vacation in Puerto Rico.

Andy Warhol offered him his first professional job as a photographer for Interview after meeting him at Studio 54 where LaChapelle was working as a scantily-clad busboy. He has also worked for Rolling Stone, Vogue, GQ and Vanity Fair throughout the years.

LaChapelle has four published books of his photographs, including LaChapelle Land , Hotel LaChapelle, "Heaven to Hell", and "Artist's and Prostitutes". All four books contain vivid and surreal portraits of celebrities such as Marilyn Manson, Naomi Campbell, David Beckham, Drew Barrymore, Shirley Manson, Courtney Love, Lance Armstrong, Pamela Anderson, Britney Spears, Cameron Diaz and Uma Thurman.

LaChapelle’s work has been described as surrealist, grotesque, shocking and ironic. His use of celebrities exaggerates aspects of their personalities and their personal lives.