Mon. November 12, 2012
Chicago, IL -
Prominent Chicago photographer and author Steve Starr passed away on Monday.
Starr, 65, was a fixture on the city's social scene, where he shot everything from from fashion shows to charity events.
Friends say Starr complained that he wasn't feeling well Monday after lunch. He collapsed on the sidewalk outside the Drake Hotel and was pronounced dead at 4:29 p.m. at Northwestern Hospital, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The cause of death is pending an autopsy scheduled for Tuesday.
"Steve always knew how to make you smile one snapshot at a time," said ChicagoPride.com Editor-at-Large and columnist Terrence Chappell. "His contagious charisma and endearing energy will forever be captured in his storybook of photos - Chicago's events will simply not be the same."
Chappell recalled first meeting meeting Starr, "We were at the Joffrey Spring Women's Gala. I remember being nervous, feeling awkward and completely out of place. I saw this older gentleman smiling at me with his camera and he made his way over and told me to stop being shy and stop hiding all that beauty. As he motioned me to rub cheeks with another guest, he snapped all my nervousness and fears away. Ever since then, I could always count on Steve to make me feel comfortable and to bring a certain genuineness to any event."
Starr was planning an event next month to celebrate his 45th year in the business. His photography appeared in various publications including CS Magazine, Michigan Avenue Magazine, Today's Chicago Woman and Windy City Times.
UPDATE (7:25AM 11/15/2012): The event planned by Steve Starr to mark 45 years in the business will now be a tribute to and celebration to the life of Steve Starr. On Wed., Dec. 12, "The Face of News"—showcasing Starr's photos of journalists, broadcasters, reporters, columnists and publishers—will take place at the Murphy Auditorium, 50 E. Erie St., 6-9:30 p.m. Tickets start at $100 each for the event, and people can also make donations; see stevestarr.eventbrite.com.
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