Photographer Cecil Beaton was born on January 14, 1904, in London, England. He passed away on January 18, 1980. He began taking photographs at the age of 11 after receiving a camera from his grandmother. After graduating from the prestigious public school, Harrow School, he studied at St. John's College, Cambridge University. He was active in fashion photography and portraiture from before World War II through the postwar period, shooting for Vanity Fair and Vogue. He was also famous for photographing Queen Elizabeth II as a photographer for the British royal family. He was also active as a designer, winning an Academy Award for Best Costume Design for the 1958 film "Love Lessons" and both Academy Awards for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design for "My Fair Lady" in 1964. He was close friends with Audrey Hepburn, who starred in "My Fair Lady," and many of her portraits remain. He died in January 1980.