George Burns on the Oprah set

Photo: Mike Castillo


George Burns on the Oprah set.
It's 7 a.m. on a March morning in Chicago, and George Burns is aiming his camera at a velvet curtain. Behind it is Jill Van Lokeren, a senior producer of The Oprah Winfrey Show and a model for today's shoot. Soon she'll emerge for the first time since being made over for this month's issue.

See how we transformed Van Lokeren and six other Harpo staffers as they wrap up the show's final season

These kinds of big moments are all in a day's work for Burns. Since 1993 he's been Harpo's official photographer, shooting everything from show tapings to Oprah's private parties. "I've gone all around the country and the world," he says. During Oprah's Texas beef trial, he holed up in an Amarillo hotel for six weeks before snapping his favorite photo, which shows Oprah beneath a banner that reads FREE SPEECH ROCKS!

Over the years, Burns has developed a special bond with Oprah. "She can say it all with one look—whether it's "Make sure you get this" or "Don't take any photos right now." Does he ever marvel at the awesome job he has? "All the time," he says. "When I shoot Oprah, I feel as if I'm capturing history. Then again, she's just like anyone else. Go to her house and she'll make you a sandwich."

Hang out with Oprah as often as Burns does, and people start to notice. Recently, a woman approached him after church. "She said, 'You're that nice boy who follows Oprah around!' I laughed and said, 'Yes ma'am, I am.' And I hope to be for as long as possible."

Check out the images he captured during this month's fashion shoot

Ken Paves working on hair styling

Photo: George Burns

The hair team—led by Ken Paves (right)—works on senior supervising producer Andrea Wishom.
Lighting director Tara Denise on her way to the set

Photo: George Burns

Lighting director Tara Denise makes her way to the set.
The crew poses with bookings producer Jakki Taylor Richardson

Photo: George Burns

The crew poses with bookings producer Jakki Taylor Richardson (back row, third from left).
Sergio Kurhajec shoots Sally Lou Loveman

Photo: George Burns

Photographer Sergio Kurhajec shoots audience producer Sally Lou Loveman.
Sally Lou Loveman on set

Photo: George Burns

Loveman gets a few finishing touches.
Sergio Kurhajec and Adam Glassman

Photo: George Burns

Kurhajec and O creative director Adam Glassman.