Fashion photography is an ever-growing field comprised of artists with enormous talent. Each photographer uses distinct approaches, techniques, and skills, which distinguish them from one another. Through their work they have transformed many models into fascinating and alluring images. We have identified some of the best fashion photographers worldwide below.
- Annie Leibovitz
Leibovitz was born in Connecticut and currently works in New York. She first started working with Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair, but later moved to work with Vogue in 1988. Leibovitz’s work has been featured in various advertising and campaigns; in addition, she has worked with various theater and dance groups. Among her most famous works include that of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, an intimate portrait which was shot for Rolling Stone just five hours before Lennon’s death. Leibovitz is famously known for her lavish and intricate fashion shoots. Her work also includes various editorials and cover shoots for Vanity Fair and advertising campaigns for Roberto Cavalli, Dior, Prada, Bulgari, Gap as well as other major labels.
- Juergen Teller
Currently based in London, Teller was born in Germany where he began his work as a photographer. Though he has worked with various fashion houses and publication, he is most famously known for his work with Marc Jacobs. Teller’s images are unique and are easily distinguishable from others due to the quirk and charm his images embody. His layouts favor a soft-color palette and tend to be dreamy.
- Mario Testino
Testino was born in Peru and now resides in London. He has worked work with some of the biggest fashion names and most iconic faces in the world, including Cameron Diaz, the British royal family, Naomi Campbell, Madonna, Julia Roberts, Lady Gaga, Kate Moss, Gwyneth Paltrow, Claudia Schiffer, and Gisele Bundchen. After he was chosen by Princess Diana as her photographer for Vanity Fair, Testino has received frequent commissions from other members of the royal family. He has also worked with famous brands such as Estee Lauder, Gucci, and Dolce & Gabbana. Along with crafting imagery for various leading fashion houses, he has also had numerous successful exhibitions in museums and galleries. Testino has proven to be very influential in the fashion photography industry and was awarded an honorary-OBE (Order of the British Empire) to acknowledge his service to photography and charity.
- Patrick Demarchelier
Demarchelier is stationed in New York, though a native of France. Demarchelier followed his girlfriend to New York and became a fashion photographer as a result of working with photographers such as Jaccque Guilbert and Terry King. He has worked with Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar and Marie Claire. In addition, he has shot various advertising campaigns for fashion houses such as Yves Saint Laurent, Calvin Klein, Chanel, and Ralph Lauren. He has shot many celebrated images in the industry, such as photos of Christy Turlington for British Vogue in 1992, Nadja Auermann for Harper’s Bazaar in New York, 1995 and Paris, 1994. He has also shot almost every top model and as well shot the covers of almost every fashion magazine, in addition to creating international advertising campaigns for Chanel, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton. and more.
- Steven Meisel
Steven Meisel is based in New York. His work for Vogue gained him fame; however, his subsequent work with the likes of Madonna also brought him popularity. Today, he is one of the top-rated fashion photographers worldwide. He works regularly with the U.S. and Italian editions of Vogue, W, and British Vogue. Some of the top models he has worked with include Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, Lara Stone, Coco Rocha, and Doutzen Kroes.
Fashion photography is a competitive genre that has developed its own aesthetic. The photographers listed above has greatly contributed to its popularity of an artform that holds its place in advertisement, clothing, and magazines.
