As 2023 comes to a close, it’s time to look back on the biggest events, moments in pop culture, and news over the last year. Of course, one way the year will be remembered for decades to come is through photographs. Here, we’ll look at the 10 most photographed of 2023.
To compile this list, PetaPixel looked at the number of results returned by Getty Images, a leading photo service, and factored in where else these people may have been photographed.
10. Kim Kardashian
The center of the Kardashian-Jenner clan has been one of the most photographed people for the last several years. The reality star turned mogul appears at countless events throughout the year, frequents talk shows and interviews, continues to star in a reality show with other members of her family, and continues to be a Met Gala favorite. Getty Images surfaces 3,302 results for Kardashian over the last year. But considering her allure to paparazzi and rabid fans, this is likely a sliver of how many snapshots she’s been in this year.
9. Megan Rapinoe
Professional soccer player Megan Rapinoe transcends her profession. This year, Rapinoe competed with Team USA in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which meant tons of photographs by professional sports photographers and fans alike. In fact, this year’s Women’s World Cup had the highest attendance with 1.9 million fans. The U.S. team set its own record for viewership as well. Though the U.S. team didn’t go nearly as far as it did when it took the entire competition by storm four years ago, Rapinoe still garnered attention, especially since this was her final year competing. This meant even ordinary practices had more eyes, and cameras, all ready to capture the soccer star’s last plays. A match between the U.S. Women’s National Team and Portugal had a record attendance totally more than 40,000. Her final game set a record for the National Women’s Soccer League attendance with a crowd of 34,130. This adds to the 3,681 Getty results for the last year.
8. Margot Robbie
Simply put, 2023 was the year of the Barbie. Actress Margot Robbie, who played Barbie herself in the titular film was everywhere, doing press events across the globe in the doll’s classic fashions. Robbie, unlike many other actors cast in this year’s biggest films, was also able to largely avoid the slowdown of events due to the actors’ strike. SAG-AFTRA actors went on strike on July 14, days after the Barbie movie’s big premiere. This means Robbie got quite a few more events and photoshoots in before promotion shut down. Getty Images returns 4,057 results for Robbie over the last year.
7. Lionel Messi
Once again, the power of sports is on full display looking at Lionel Messi. The Argentinian soccer (or football) player racked up 17,124 Getty Images results this year so far. In addition to games and practices, Messi is a decorated player who is often seen, and photographed, and plenty of awards ceremonies. In March, Messi also reached a massive milestone, scoring his 100th international goal. That achievement alone got camera shutters going. In addition to playing for Argentina, Messi joined the MLS in the U.S. on for Inter Miami. Any game Messi is in draws a crowd, and he’s had a packed year filled with fans taking photos from all angles. For example, the legendary player’s first visit to Miami drew a crowd of 19,000. Now, compound that with all the matches he’s played this year, and you’ve got one of the most photographed people of 2023.
6. Beyoncé
The megastar could easily be far higher on this list, but Beyoncé is so big that she can simply choose not to. The singer, dancer, actor, and icon has, especially over the last few years, kept her life and family largely private, sticking to big events and doing few interviews and appearances. In fact, Getty only has 699 results for Beyoncé for the last year, by far the lowest of anyone on this list. However, her Renaissance Tour saw approximately 2.7 million attendees, and you can be sure they were snapping away.
5. Donald Trump
Between the lawsuits, rallies, court appearances, and the mugshot seen around the world, former president Donald Trump remains ever present in front of the camera. His Getty Images results for the last year total 22,728. That doesn’t include people taking their own pictures at rallies, snaps taken to and from courthouses, and the incredibly high number of extra photos taken considering the high profile nature and need for the perfect shot. Note: AI mugshots and images of Trump’s arrest do not factor into this estimate.
4. Joe Biden
President Joe Biden has been equally busy. It’ll be an election year in 2024, keeping the president busy at home. There have also been several international issues, including the ongoing war in Ukraine and the war in Gaza, which has led to appearances and speeches from the leader of the free world. Biden’s Getty Images results for the last year total 42,194. Plus, there’s a Chief Official White House Photographer who takes the president’s photo throughout the day regularly.
3. Queen Camilla
The late Queen Elizabeth II was regularly one of the most photographed people, likely one of the most photographed people in history. Now, as her son King Charles takes the throne, Queen Camilla has been thrust into the spotlight. Appearing by the King’s side at most events, including this year’s massive coronation, means Camilla has been easily one of the most photographed people of 2023. Queen Camilla returns 30,972 results, while Camilla Parker Bowles, as she was referred to before the coronation, brings up another 19,972 results. And like Biden, her likeness is also captured by Royal photographers, as well.
2. King Charles
The newly minted King of England has been in front of the camera even more than his wife Queen Camilla fulfilling duties and fiddling with pens. The coronation of King Charles was a major international event, with eyes from all over the world, not only the United Kingdom. It’s unsurprising then that King Charles returned 50,819 results on Getty Images through the last year. About 2,000 attended his coronation with thousands more spectators showing up in person, though he didn’t draw as big of a crowd as did the funeral for this mother last year. Ultimately, making the King and Queen no match for the top most photographed person of the year.
1. Taylor Swift
Are you ready for it? The most photographed person of 2023 was none other than Taylor Swift. Like Beyoncé, she’s launched a massive tour this year. The Eras Tour has been such a big deal — it launched an investigation into Ticketmaster and even brought about seismic activity. Oh, and it’s continuing into 2024. Swift also isn’t quite as private as her counterpart Beyoncé and brings up 6,424 results on Getty Images from the past year. Her tour has also brought in a massive amount of fans, just about all of whom have taken photos and videos of the singer the entire time. The average attendance for each show is over 70,000. With 68 shows in North America alone, Swift easily captures the top spot this year.
Image credits: Photos, unless otherwise noted, licensed via Depositphotos.