Daniel Kramer, Renowned Photographer of Bob Dylan, Dies at 91
Daniel Kramer, a distinguished photojournalist celebrated for documenting Bob Dylan’s transformative rise in the 1960s, passed away on April 29 in Melville, N.Y. He was 91. His death was confirmed by his nephew, Brian Bereck.
Kramer’s career-defining association with Bob Dylan began in February 1964, after witnessing Dylan's performance of “The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll” on “The Steve Allen Show.” Captivated, Kramer relentlessly pursued a photo shoot with Dylan, finally securing an opportunity after six months of persistent phone calls to Dylan's manager, Albert Grossman.
This initial one-hour session on August 27, 1964, expanded into a year-long photographic journey, capturing behind-the-scenes snapshots of Dylan during a pivotal time in his career. Kramer’s work during this period included the iconic cover images for Dylan’s landmark albums “Bringing It All Back Home” and “Highway 61 Revisited.”
Kramer’s Dylan photos, known for their intimacy and candidness, were published globally, leading to the release of two photo collections: “Bob Dylan” (1967) and “Bob Dylan: A Year and a Day” (2018). His insightful cover for “Bringing It All Back Home” earned him a Grammy nomination.
Born on May 19, 1932, in Brooklyn, Kramer’s early passion for photography led to a role as an assistant to noted photographers Philippe Halsman and Allan and Diane Arbus. Following his stint in the U.S. Army and studies at Brooklyn College, he carved a niche for himself as a freelance photographer.
After his landmark year with Dylan, Kramer expanded his portfolio, capturing portraits of various luminaries. His marriage to Arline Cunningham in 1968 lasted until her death in 2016. Kramer is survived by no immediate family members.
Alex Williams, a Times reporter, contributed to this obituary.