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Photographer John Russo gives us a lesson on how to be a hotshot. Take notes. Words by Vanessa Pascale • Photo credit: Jason Bush If the world of entertainment were high school –and let's be serious, sometimes it feels like it is –then John Russo is that handsome, cool senior who's nice to everyone, including the freshman, even though he's hanging with the Brad Pitts and Kate Hudsons of the school. Which is literally what he's doing. He is one of the cool kids, who refreshingly doesn't have an ego that matches his status. This tall, handsome man with those piercing light eyes could have easily made a living being in front of the camera, but John enjoyed being behind it. As a kid from Ventnor, New Jersey, John was always taking photographs of his friends and family. "I thought 'wow, maybe I could do this for a living!'" His fascination with the "world of celebrity" led him to Los Angeles in 1995, he knew this is where he needed to be if he wanted to make a name for himself. "So after I graduated from college, that's what I did. I began the arduous process of targeting publicists to photograph their clients." Becoming the successful photographer he is today was a gradual process, he shares. His impressive portfolio is fraught with innumerable gorgeous cityscapes as well as luxe fashion and lifestyle shots, but what he is best known for is his captivating celebrity photos. This talented photographer's client list includes major powerhouses in entertainment and publishing –from Sony Pictures and 20th Century Fox to Esquire, Harper's Bazaar, and Vanity Fair. Rather than name the endless list of stars he has photographed; it'd be easier to list those he hasn't shot. Simply scroll through his Instagram and you'll find myriad photographs, like a dapper Patrick Dempsey, sultry-looking Rhianna, and serious Leonardo DiCaprio. How do you get your subjects to relax, so that you can get the per fect shot? "I just talk to them like they are real people. Af ter all, they really are!" says John, who has worked with ever y big name in show business. I'm sure it must be hard to pick a favorite subject, but if you had to choose t wo, a male and a female, who would you say you enjoy working with the most? "I love working with Cindy Craw ford. She's such a wonder ful person, always collaborative, always gracious. As for guys, Matt Damon would be my #1. Same thing, super friendly and genuine." John, who splits his time bet ween Los Angeles and Montecito, California, will be in Las Vegas at the end of this month (October 27th and 28th) to teach a Master Photographer Class at the Palms Casino Resor t. "I'm finally putting my master's degree to work!" he states on his Instagram. What do you think sets you apar t from other photographers? "I don't take myself too seriously," he says. It's that relaxed élan that enables him to produce images where his subjects' natural energy shines through. You feel as though you've walked in on an intimate moment when looking at his photographs. John knows how to set up a shot that captures his subjects' essence and vulnerabilit y. Like with most ar t, it's not always easy to pinpoint what makes you attracted to a piece. I've found myself staring