While other photographers of the time concentrated on earthquakes, war and politics, O’Neill realised that youth culture and the emergence of pop art was just as interesting to readers. He began chronicling the emerging faces of the film, fashion and music scenes often before they had become famous. The power of photography in portraying the image of up and coming film stars and musicians became obvious. It was an important way to connect with the public and cement your talent or notoriety. By 1965, O’Neill was being regularly commissioned by the biggest magazines and newspapers in the world. 

He photographed Winston Churchill, Elvis, Nelson Mandela, Frank Sinatra, Brigitte Bardot, Audrey Hepburn, Sean Connery, David Bowie, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Judy Garland, Laurence Olivier, prominent politicians and members of the Royal Family. O’Neill worked closely with Elton John for many years, taking in excess of 5,000 photographs which are amongst his best known. From intimate backstage shots to huge stadium concerts, a selection of them appeared in the 2008 book Eltonography and in other books about the singer. 

Elton John said: “Looking at Terry’s photographs is like gazing through a window at the most extra-ordinary and exciting moments of my life. I’m so glad he was with us throughout the madness; in his evocative and stylish photos he captured those moments as no other photographer could.” 

He also famously captured Faye Dunaway (his then girlfriend and later to be his wife) in 1977 lounging next to a swimming pool, the morning after she won the ‘Academy Award for Best Actress’. Several newspapers are scattered around her, and the Oscar statuette is prominently shown on a table beside a breakfast tray. O’Neill went on to become one of the twentieth century’s most accomplished and collected photographers. His work hangs in national galleries and private collections around the globe.

Buy his limited edition photographs from mainstream galleries here.