John Engstead

John Engstead (1912–1984) was an American photographer.

He began his career in 1926 when he was hired by Paramount Pictures as an office boy who would attend to the needs of the Studio Publicity Head.

In 1927, he arranged a photograph session for the actress Clara Bow. The resulting photographs were considered to be the actresses best images. During the years 1929 to 1941 he was an Art Supervisor, who was charged with promotional of photograph stills. This appointment was based on his creative direction in the photographs of Louise Brooks in The Canary Murder Case (1929).

In 1932, due to a photographers' strike, Engstead assumed the position of Studio Portrait Photographer despite the fact he had never actually photographed anyone previously. The actor Cary Grant posed for his practice shots.

In 1941, he was fired from Paramount Pictures and he became involved with freelance advertising and portrait photography assignments "on spec" for Harper’s Bazaar. During the period 1941 to 1949, Engstead continued to work in the fashion industry.In addition to continuing assignments for Harper’s Bazaar, he worked with Collier’s, Esquire, House Beautiful, Ladies Home Journal, Life, Look, Mademoiselle, McCall’s, Vogue, and Women’s Home Companion.

Throughout this period Engstaed photographed numerous celebrity clients at their homes, including: Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Maureen O'Hara and Shirley Temple. His photographs of a young Judy Garland in Carmel, California were particularly successful and became innovative in fashion photography as it transferred the subject to a actual outdoor setting. He also photographed annual Spring and Fall fashion collections for teh studio designer Adrian. His Los Angles studio became a gathering place for celebrities through the 1950s.

During the decades of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, Engstead continued to photograph ‘movie stars’ and celebrities. He was involved in producing promotional work for the renowned television personalities of the era including Pat Boone, Carmel Quinn, Donna Reed, Ozzie and Harriet, Eve Arden, Lucille Ball among others. Finally Engstead, expanded into more commercial work and society portraiture. He closed his studio in 1970 and continued to accept special portraiture and television assignments until his death in 1984 at age 72.