Norman Rockwell the Photographer?

[AcadieLibre]

I was reading something about a pulp artist who did the covers for 40's and 50's mens magazine covers and I heard he was inspired by Norman Rockwell. So whenever I come across something that interests me I read further. I was surprised that Norman Rockwell was a photographer first and artist second. Any paintings (or most) he did he would set up the studio shot first, take a photo then paint from the photo he took. Not a big Norman Rockwell fan, find his work not to my taste but he did have talent whether but it was surprised he did his paintings from photos he took. I am more impressed with the details and effort of his photographs than I am of his paintings. Not sure if he did all his paintings that way but from what I found it does appear he did.

Norman Rockwell: Behind the Camera|Norman Rockwell Museum (http://www.nrm.org/2009/10/opening-of-landmark-exhibition-exploring-a-new-body-of-rockwell-imagery-nov-7th/)