In the 1990s, before Naomi Watts became an internationally recognized star, Australian photographer Peter Carrette captured a series of striking portraits that documented her transformation from a determined young actress into one of Australia’s most promising exports. Carrette, known in Sydney for his ability to find warmth and immediacy in celebrity photography, often worked with rising talents for magazines and press features.
Watts was still climbing the industry ladder at the time, fresh from her early Australian film and TV roles such as Flirting (1991) and the cult thriller Gross Misconduct (1993). Carrette’s images from this period—shot for Australian press outlets and entertainment magazines—highlight a Naomi who is both luminous and grounded. Typically photographed in natural light or simple studio setups, she appears with soft, minimal makeup and relaxed styling, a look that emphasized her classic beauty and hinted at the dramatic depth she would later bring to roles like Mulholland Drive (2001).
These sessions took place while Watts was struggling through the “in-between” years: numerous auditions in Hollywood, frequent rejections, and a reputation for quiet perseverance. Carrette’s lens caught that duality—an actress who could radiate star quality yet still convey the vulnerability of someone who hadn’t yet “made it.”
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