Robert Freeman, the man who helped define The Beatles, dies at 82

His covers for 'With the Beatles,' 'Rubber Soul' and other records helped define the group's imagery early in their career

Robert Freeman, who helped define the image of the Beatles by taking the cover photographs for five of their early albums, including With the Beatles and Rubber Soul, died on November 6 in a hospital in London. He was 82. 

Freeman’s association with the Beatles was relatively brief — about three years — but memorable. He shot his first album cover for them in 1963 as their popularity was soaring, then joined them in 1964 on their tour of the United States; he photographed his last in late 1965, for Rubber Soul, which drew attention for its distinctive distorted picture.