An illuminator in a camera for illuminating a subject comprising: a side-emitting, non-lasing light emitting diode, the LED comprising: a first semiconductor layer of a first type; a second semiconductor layer of a second type; an active layer between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer, the active layer having a major surface; a first electrode in contact with the first semiconductor layer; a second electrode in contact with the second semiconductor layer, the first electrode and the second electrode being on a first side of the LED so that the LED is a flip chip, wherein a growth substrate, on which was grown the first semiconductor layer, the second semiconductor layer, and the active layer, has been removed from over a second side of the LED opposite the first side of the LED; a planar phosphor layer formed on the second side of the LED over the second semiconductor layer; a uniform reflective film formed on the phosphor layer, an area of the reflective film being limited by an area of the second side of the LED, the reflective film forming a reflector substantially parallel to the major surface of the active layer, such that substantially all light impinging on the reflector is redirected back into the LED, the LED substantially only emitting light from its sides without the use of a side-emitting lens; a light guide having a top surface through which light is emitted and having a reflective bottom surface, the light guide having at least one opening in which the side-emitting LED is positioned, whereby light emitted from the sides of the LED is optically coupled into the light guide; and a driver electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode of the LED for supplying power to the LED to illuminate a subject for recording an image of the subject by the camera; the LED and driver being mounted within a camera housing. a first semiconductor layer of a first type; a second semiconductor layer of a second type; an active layer between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer, the active layer having a major surface; a first electrode in contact with the first semiconductor layer; a second electrode in contact with the second semiconductor layer, the first electrode and the second electrode being on a first side of the LED so that the LED is a flip chip, wherein a growth substrate, on which was grown the first semiconductor layer, the second semiconductor layer, and the active layer, has been removed from over a second side of the LED opposite the first side of the LED; a planar phosphor layer formed on the second side of the LED over the second semiconductor layer; a uniform reflective film formed on the phosphor layer, an area of the reflective film being limited by an area of the second side of the LED, the reflective film forming a reflector substantially parallel to the major surface of the active layer, such that substantially all light impinging on the reflector is redirected back into the LED, the LED substantially only emitting light from its sides without the use of a side-emitting lens; a light guide having a top surface through which light is emitted and having a reflective bottom surface, the light guide having at least one opening in which the side-emitting LED is positioned, whereby light emitted from the sides of the LED is optically coupled into the light guide; and a driver electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode of the LED for supplying power to the LED to illuminate a subject for recording an image of the subject by the camera; the LED and driver being mounted within a camera housing.