You know his photos even if you don’t know his name. There are the ones emblematic of the turbulent history of the 1960s and 70s. There are intimate portraits of presidents, authors, historical figures and celebrities of all stripes. And there are the iconic movie posters intimately connected to classic films such as Midnight Cowboy and Taxi Driver. During the golden age of photojournalism, Steve Schapiro’s photos appeared in every major publication; as an on-set photographer, he went on to leave an indelible mark on cinema.
A new documentary, directed by Maura Smith, celebrates Schapiro’s legacy and sheds light on the question: How was one unassuming guy responsible for so much incredible and important work across genres? How was he, in fact, seemingly everywhere? Combining interviews with Schapiro and slideshow-style montages of archival photographs that range from the instantly recognizable to deep cuts, Steve Schapiro: Being Everywhere is a strong testament to a great, often overlooked photographer.
The documentary covers each stage of Schapiro’s career in roughly chronological order. Schapiro walks us through his archive, starting with his “decisive moment” street photography before progressing to his early concerned documentary work. Schapiro got close and personal to an incredible degree with historical figures such as Muhammad Ali, Andy Warhol, James Baldwin, and Bobby Kennedy, capturing intimate moments in their lives. It’s fascinating to hear the stories behind the photos.
Smith, a filmmaker who was married to Schapiro until his passing, lets Schapiro’s storytelling and charming personality drive the proceedings. And ever the documentarian, Schapiro is happy to let his subjects shine through, rather than shift the focus to himself. When talking about his photographic approach, the photographer emphasizes his connection to his subjects rather than, say, which camera gear he preferred or other such superficial concerns. The film ultimately builds to an emotional climax: Schapiro’s story of his friendship with Martin Luther King Jr. and his subsequent heartbreaking coverage of the assassination.
Schapiro’s photos are shown full-frame long enough for the viewer to take them in. They are generally paired with well-chosen music cues. (His civil rights work, for instance, is accompanied by Angel Bat Dawid’s “We Are Starzz”.) Thankfully absent are the pans, zooms, and quick edits that hamstring so many other documentaries on photographers. Smith trusts in the power of the images themselves to keep the audience engaged and gives those images room to breathe.
In the film’s final segment, a pastor oversees Schapiro’s late-in-life conversion to Christianity just before his passing in 2022. It’s nice to see candid footage of Schapiro, and he is clearly happy to have the moment documented. (Schapiro’s emotion is so genuine, he is moved to tears during the ceremony.) But it also happens to be the only time that Schapiro’s religious beliefs manifest themselves onscreen, so it comes a little out of the blue. Afterwards, there’s some footage of him documenting Trump-era protests as he continues his life’s work. As we watch him move through the crowd taking photos, his empathy, idealism, and absolute love of the craft shine through. It points to an even greater spiritual conviction–an absolute belief in the mission and the power of the photographic image. It’s a lovely note to end on.
Made at the end of Schapiro’s life, this documentary exists not just as a record of a great photographer but as a chronicle of the people and events that he bore witness to. It’s a loving tribute that preserves and promotes his indelible legacy.
Steve Schapiro: Being Everywhere (directed by Maura Smith). Color, 71 min., 2025.
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