Van Leo

Van Leo (born Levon Alexander Boyadjian; November 20, 1921 – March 18, 2002) was an Armenian-Egyptian photographer known for his self-portraits and portraits of celebrities. Born in the Ottoman Empire, he fled with his family to Egypt at the age of four to escape the Armenian Genocide, thanks to his father’s position with a German-owned railway company. Van Leo grew up in Egypt, attending the English Mission School and later the English Mission College, where he first discovered his passion for photography. At 16 or 17, after being inspired by Hollywood postcards, Van Leo decided to pursue photography instead of continuing his studies at the American University in Cairo. He apprenticed with the Armenian photographer Artinian at Studio Venus before opening his own studio with his brother Angelo in 1941. During World War II, their clientele mainly consisted of soldiers, officers, and entertainers, many of whom were involved in the British National Service. In 1947, Van Leo established his own studio, which became known by his name. Early in his career, he often took portraits of entertainers and celebrities for free in exchange for credit on the images, helping to establish his name in the industry. While he was associated with prominent figures, Van Leo was known for his humility and refusal to seek fame or money, rejecting the trend of photographers who capitalized on photographing royalty or politicians. After Egypt’s 1952 coup, Van Leo’s clientele shifted to include Egypt’s upper class, as well as writers, actors, and scholars, including figures like Rushdi Abaza, Dalida, and Omar El Sherif. Despite his fame, he also took on more mundane tasks such as passport photos, wedding portraits, and military ID photos. His studio operated until 1998, when Van Leo closed it after his final portrait session. That same year, he donated his entire photographic collection to the American University in Cairo. Van Leo passed away from a heart attack in March 2002, leaving behind a legacy as a photographer who captured the glamour of Egypt’s cultural elite while remaining largely out of the public spotlight.