The photographer behind Saturday Night Live’s famed bumper images gave viewers a rare glimpse into her process on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon last night.
Mary Ellen Matthews’ visit with Jimmy Fallon last night included a live demonstration of what SNL photo shoots are like.
Matthews has been SNL’s head photographer for over 25 years—a role that includes creating new editions of the show’s iconic commercial bumpers for each new host and musical guest. Highlights of those works are collected in a new photo book due out next month, The Art of the SNL Portraits, complete with a foreword by Lorne Michaels.
“I love doing it, and it’s such a challenge for each week to do it again, and do it better or do it different,” Matthews told Fallon. “I’m just constantly collecting ideas.”
Gushing about the experience of being on set with Matthews and the positive vibes she projects while directing her subjects, Fallon gave viewers a glimpse of the process by staging a photo shoot right on the show.
As Fallon opened the curtain to reveal a full photo studio setup, Matthews explained her vision for the shoot: “rock legends having tea together,” with Fallon playing each rocker. The host donned wigs and costumes to embody Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, and Slash. the end result, stitching all three Fallon cosplays together, was shown as the bumper while The Tonight Show went to commercial. The entire segment can be viewed below:
Mary Ellen Matthews’ The Art of the SNL Portrait hits shelves on March 4th from Abrams Books. It’s available for pre-order now.
