From Kate Moss to Kim Kardashian, photographer Dave Benett's best celebrity party pictures of the decade

He came, he saw, he snapped... the legendary party photographer on his best moments of the 2010s 
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Lucy Pavia30 December 2019

There's a pretty simple way to determine if an A-list party is worth attending - is it being photographed by Dave Benett?

A hard-working fixture at the hottest and most glamorous VIP soirees in London and beyond - and the chief entertainment photographer for the Evening Standard - Benett has spent three decades shooting fabulous A-list revellers, from David Bowie to Bella Hadid .

Rihanna
Dave Benett

After starting his career behind the camera in the 1970s doing sport and news photography, Benett transferred to the London party scene.

These days you'd be hard-pushed to find an A-lister who hasn't been in front of his lens.

Cara Delevingne, Ellie Goulding and Rita Ora
Dave Benett

As we close out the 2010s, scroll through our gallery above to see the moments captured by Benett in his marathon party decade and read on for some personal highlights from the man himself.

Gigi Hadid
Dave Benett

Which parties from the last decade were particularly fun to photograph?

"Too many to really remember them all! Universal Music's Brits after-party is always great. I loved 2013 with Taylor Swift and James Corden DJ-ing. Carey Mulligan and Marcus Mumford had just got married and were dancing with Taylor. Marcus had said no photos at the start of the night but that went out the window once he started having fun!"

James Corden and Taylor Swift
Dave Benett

Any jobs which were particularly tricky?

"Some of the really big events like amfAR in Cannes have hundreds of celebrities and go from 5pm until 5am in the morning. You're covering the arrivals, practically greeting everyone as they come into the event, then drinks, auction, dinner and after-party... I'm often the last to leave."

Bella Hadid with designers Dean and Dan Caten at amfAR in Cannes
Dave Benett

Who always takes a great photo and why?

"Kate Moss, the camera loves her - she has a magic relationship with it."

Kate Moss
Dave Benett

Who is the most reliably fun party guest?

"Dominic Cooper is always great fun. Jack Guinness too, you can always rely on him for witty conversation."

Emma Weymouth and Jack Guinness
Dave Benett

What are the biggest challenges of party photography?

"Knowing when to put your camera down and just enjoy the party... and let everyone else enjoy themselves too."

Is there anyone you would still love to photograph?

"I would have loved to have photographed John Lennon, I grew up in Liverpool and went to the same school as Paul McCartney and have photographed all the other Beatles except for John."

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