Born in Tanzania, Anwar took up photography as a hobby and, before turning twenty, gained a reputation for his skill with a camera.
During the 1960s, Anwar focused on counter-culture events like the Isle of Wight Festival. His talent for captivating portraiture and his coverage of artists such as Rod Stewart, Elton John, and Bob Dylan made him one of the most sought-after photographers of the rock era.
By the mid-1970s, Anwar's career evolved as he became a set photographer for classic movies such as "24 Hours of Le Mans" and the Bond films. During the 1980s, as Royal Mania spread worldwide, Anwar's preference for natural settings grew increasingly popular. Notably, Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Anne, and the Queen Mother each selected one of Anwar’s photos for their official Christmas cards.
At 86, Anwar Hussein has been an accredited royal photographer for over five decades. He documented Diana, Princess of Wales, from the announcement of her relationship with the future king until her tragic death in 1997. In the intervening years, he traveled with her extensively, from the Serpentine Gallery to Angolan minefields, from a cancer ward in Lahore to the steps of St. Paul’s Cathedral.
