LaChapelle has four published books of his photographs. All four books contain vivid and surreal portraits of celebrities such as Whitney Houston, Naomi Campbell, Shakira, Angelina Jolie, Pamela Anderson, Britney Spears, Madonna, P!nk, Rihanna.
He has directed advertisements for major brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Lavazza, Nokia. In 2006 he directed Romeo and Juliet, a five-minute commercial for H&M’s new denim brand.
LaChapelle’s work has been described as surrealist, grotesque, shocking and ironic. Ingrid Sischy, long-time editor of Interview magazine, has said there are three main aspects to his “strong and individualistic” photography: a sense of humour, political awareness and social awareness. His use of celebrities exaggerates aspects of their personalities and their personal lives.
