The best portrait photographers can capture the ineffable, the essence, the aura.
There have been many brilliant technicians throughout the years, taking wonderfully lit, technically perfect images, but the ability to capture the purity of a person is a talent that belongs to only a select few.
In this blog post, we take a look at some of the best portrait photographers of all time.
Whether you’re looking for inspiration for your next photoshoot or simply curious to see some stunning portraits, you’ll want to check these out.
It is of course to my personal taste, but hey, it’s my blog. Any you want to throw into the mix? Leave a comment below.
The best portrait photographers ever
Portrait photography today has evolved somewhat with the invention of strobe lighting, faster aperture lenses, low ISO film and digital photography. The learning curve for portrait photography has been dramatically accelerated as photographers can see their results in real time. The result is an influx of new talent onto the world stage. This is of course incredible for the arts as a whole and it means photographers have to be laser focussed with their vision to stand out amongst the crowd. In this post I’ve put together a mixture of modern portrait photographers and some legends of the genre, I hope you find it useful.
Nigel Parry
Nigel Parry is a portrait photographer whose work has appeared in numerous publications, including Time, Newsweek, and The New York Times Magazine. Born in London in 1966, Parry began his career as a freelance photographer in the late 1980s. His shots of celebrities and politicians quickly caught the eye of the publishing world, and he soon became one of the most sought-after photographers in the business. In addition to his work in magazines, Parry has also photographed album covers for some of the biggest names in music, including Bruce Springsteen and Mick Jagger. He currently lives and works in New York City. Nigel Parry’s work is characterized by its intimacy and subtlety. Whether he’s shooting a close-up of a politician or a full-length portrait of a musician, Parry always manages to capture the essence of his subjects. It’s this ability to see beyond the surface that has made him one of the most respected photographers working today.
Mark Seliger
Mark Seliger is widely regarded as one of the top portrait photographers in the world today. With a career spanning more than two decades, his portraits have appeared in countless magazines and exhibitions, illuminating the unique stories and personalities of his subjects.
Born in Ohio in 1963, Seliger found early inspiration from his father, a well-known photojournalist who captured images from all around the globe. After attending college in Texas, he began to develop his signature style while working as an assistant at Interview magazine under legendary photographer Richard Avedon. It was during this time that he made a name for himself shooting iconic pop stars such as Nirvana and Eddie Vedder on assignment for Rolling Stone magazine.
Throughout the course of his career, Seliger has continued to create some of the most dynamic and recognizable portraits in the industry. His images are characterized by striking compositions and remarkable attention to detail, showcasing not only their subjects but also often capturing ephemeral elements like light or colour. Throughout it all, Seliger’s passion and commitment to his craft remain constant: a love for bringing out the very best in each individual he shoots. His personal motto perfectly captures this sentiment: “I try hard to get people to be themselves – natural.”
Anton Corbijn
Anton Corbijn is considered to be one of the leading portrait photographers of his generation. Born in the Netherlands, he began shooting photos as a teenager and was fascinated by the idea of capturing people in their most authentic form. After moving to England and carving out a name for himself within the music industry, he soon turned his lens toward capturing other artists and public figures, including Lemmy from Motorhead and Tom Waits.
Throughout his career, Corbijn has made a name for himself with his distinctive style – a combination of portraiture and documentary that conveys both authenticity and intimacy. He manages to capture real emotion in every image he takes, drawing viewers into the moment along with the subject. Thanks to his incredible skill and innovative vision, many consider Corbijn to be one of the finest portrait photographers working today.
Jimmy Nelson
Over the course of his long and illustrious career, Jimmy Nelson established himself as one of the most iconic portrait photographers of all time. His unwavering dedication to his craft, along with his unique style and artistic vision, helped to make him a household name in the photography world.
Nelson was born in Sweden in 1955, and at a young age showed an innate talent for photography. He began taking pictures of his family and friends as a teenager, using his skills to support himself while he explored his passion for art. He would eventually travel across Europe, documenting scenes from everyday life with his camera. It wasn’t until he moved to New York City in the 1980s that Nelson found the fame and recognition he deserved. There, he established himself as one of the leading fashion photographers of the decade, shooting high-profile campaigns for top brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton.
Throughout his career, Nelson remained dedicated to pushing boundaries and experimenting with new techniques. Some of his most notable works include vibrant portraits depicting high-society icons like Andy Warhol and Kate Moss. Despite being plagued by several health issues later in life, Nelson continued to work tirelessly.
Phil Borges
Born and raised in California, he developed an early interest in photography and began his career by documenting the lives of marginalized communities in India. After returning to the US, he became a success on the art scene with his powerful and expressive portraits, which captured the resilience, strength, and beauty of those often left out of mainstream society. His work earned him numerous awards and widespread acclaim, and today it is showcased around the world in both private collections and major museums. Through his lens, Borges has shed light on some of the most important issues facing our planet today, from human rights to environmental concerns. With each breath-taking image, he reminds us that everyone has a voice worth hearing and a story worth telling. Indeed, his own life’s journey is undoubtedly a testament to this message.
Yousef Karsh
Born in Turkey in 1908, Karsh moved to Canada with his family at the age of 16. He apprenticed with several different photographers before opening his own studio in Ottawa in 1931. Over the course of his long career, Karsh photographed some of the most influential people of his time, including Winston Churchill, Albert Einstein, and Marilyn Monroe. His photographs are characterized by their stark black and white compositions and intense close-ups. Karsh was also known for his ability to capture the essence of his subjects, as evidenced by his famous photograph of Churchill titled “The Roaring Lion.” In addition to his portraits, Karsh also produced a number of photo essays on a variety of topics, from the Canadian landscape to the aftermath of World War II. He died in 2002 at the age of 94, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest portrait photographers in history.
Angus Mcbean
Angus Mcbean was a prolific portrait photographer who created striking images of many famous individuals throughout his long career. Born in 1931 in Scotland, he moved to London at a young age and became fascinated with photography from an early age. His early work included documenting the fashion scene in London and capturing candid images of celebrities.
Over time, Mcbean gained a reputation as a gifted portrait photographer, and he began attracting high-profile subjects to his studio for striking photo shoots. His stunning images of notable figures such as Audrey Hepburn, Malcolm X, and Muhammad Ali have become iconic representations of these individuals, immortalizing them in luxurious black and white prints that are highly sought after by collectors today. Throughout his career, Mcbean continued to travel the world shooting portraits of politicians, artists, entertainers, and more, capturing their unique personalities with his talent for composition and lighting.
Despite the varied subject matter of his photographs, one thing remained constant throughout Mcbean’s career: his dedication to creating beautiful images that would endure long after he was gone. His years of hard work and artistic mastery have left behind an impressive legacy that will continue to inspire photographers around the globe for generations to come.
Diane Arbus
Born in New York City in 1923, Diane had a strong interest in photography from an early age. After studying at several different art schools, she finally took a job as a freelance photographer for a fashion magazine, using the opportunity to develop her own style and artistic vision.
Diane quickly became known for her distinctive portraits that captured a dizzying range of subjects with remarkable honesty and insight. Through her remarkably intimate photos, Diane made us see people who might otherwise go unnoticed – individuals perceived as “normal” by society at large but often utterly extraordinary in their uniqueness. Her portraits were created with no pretense or airbrushing; they contained all the vulnerabilities and imperfections that made each subject truly human in our eyes.
Even though Diane passed away more than forty years ago, her legacy lives on through her profound photographs, which continue to inspire and move viewers to this day. Her work is a testament to both the transformative power of photography and the beauty that can be found within us all.
Annie Leibowitz
Annie Leibovitz is one of the most influential portrait photographers of our time. Born in 1949 in Waterbury, Connecticut, she began her career as a staff photographer for Rolling Stone magazine in 1970. Over the next few years, she developed a signature style that combined candid images with striking lighting and composition. Her intimate portraits of celebrities, politicians, and other public figures helped to redefine the art of portraiture, and her work has appeared on the covers of countless magazines. In 1983, Leibovitz became the first woman to be named chief photographer for Vanity Fair magazine, a position she still holds today. In addition to her editorial work, Leibovitz has also created iconic advertising campaigns for brands like Volkswagen and American Express. Her 2010 exhibition at the Smithsonian Museum of American History, Annie Leibovitz: Life Through A Lens, was one of the most popular shows in the museum’s history. Annie Leibovitz is truly a master of her craft, and her impact on photography is undeniable.
Richard Avedon
Richard Avedon was one of the most famous portrait photographers of all time. With his iconic style and brilliant eye for detail, he produced images that have come to be regarded as some of the most iconic and recognizable portraits in history.
Born into a family of Russian-Jewish immigrants in New York City, Richard showed an early passion for photography. Despite having no formal artistic training, he dropped out of high school in order to pursue his love of photography, and soon began working as an assistant to one of the greats – Alexey Brodovitch, famed art director of Harper’s Bazaar magazine. In due course, Avedon moved on to take over as the chief fashion photographer for the magazine. But it was his work outside of fashion that truly defined Avedon’s legacy as an artist – his incredible portraits captured the essence of some of the most influential people across a variety of domains, from politics to art and popular culture. Ever restless in his pursuit of new photographic challenges, Avedon branched out into other mediums towards the end of his life, even making short films at the request of esteemed filmmaker Stanley Kubrick. Through it all, he remained dedicated to creating beautiful images that told intriguing stories about his subjects.
Steven Meisel
When it comes to portrait photography, few names stand out quite like that of Steven Meisel. Throughout his long and illustrious career, he has worked with some of the biggest names in fashion, creating iconic images for publications like Vogue and Elle. But what is the story behind this great artist? How did he come to make a name for himself in such a competitive industry?
Born and raised in New York City, Steven grew up surrounded by art and creativity. He became fascinated with photography at an early age, spending hours taking pictures in his family’s home or out on the streets of his neighbourhood. After high school, he attended Parsons School of Design and quickly made a name for himself as a talented photographer. His work soon attracted the attention of major fashion magazines like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, who gave him the opportunity to shoot some of the top models in the world.
Over time, Steven’s unique style developed into something truly special – an ability to capture emotion and personality through the lens of a camera. His portraits never feel stiff or staged; instead, they look almost documentary-like, conveying real moments between real people. And despite his massive success over the years, Steven never seems to have lost his touch.
Helmut Newton
With a keen eye for capturing people’s unique personalities, he produced iconic images that have become quintessential representations of the fashion and entertainment industries. Born in Germany in 1920, Newton discovered an early passion for photography and eventually moved to Paris to pursue his art. Over his long career, he worked in collaboration with many top model agencies and luxury brands, producing stunning photographs that captured not only their aesthetic beauty but also deeper insights into society and culture. Despite his success, however, Newton faced significant personal challenges later in life and passed away tragically at the young age of 83. Still, his legacy lives on as a master of portraiture who brought a sense of vitality and energy to all his subjects. Today, his work continues to be celebrated as both inspirational and influential in the world of photography.
Peter Lindbergh
German-born Peter Lindbergh is known for his evocative black-and-white images, which often capture the mood and atmosphere of his subjects rather than simply their physical appearance. Lindbergh began his career in the late 1960s, working as an assistant to several fashion photographers in Paris. He soon began to develop his own style, and by the early 1980s he was one of the most sought-after photographers in the fashion industry. His work has appeared in magazines such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Rolling Stone, and he has photographed some of the world’s most famous models and actresses, including Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Nicole Kidman, and Charlize Theron. In addition to his fashion photography, Lindbergh has also directed several short films and documentaries. He currently lives and works in Paris.
Herb Ritts
Herb Ritts was one of the most iconic photographers of the 20th century. His instantly recognizable style shaped the image of celebrities and fashion models for decades. Ritts was born in 1952 in Los Angeles, and he grew up in a family of wealthy filmmakers. He initially studied architecture at UCLA, but he soon switched to photography. After graduation, he began working as a freelance photographer for magazines like Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair. His distinctive approach to portraiture blended elements of classical painting with a modern sensibility. He frequently used natural light and simple backdrops, which helped to focus attention on his subjects. His images were often both striking and intimate, and they captured the essence of Old Hollywood glamour. Ritts passed away in 2002, but his legacy continues to influence fashion and advertising around the world.
Mert & Marcus
There is perhaps no better portrait photographer than Mert and Marcus. These two industry legends met back in the 1990s, when Marcus was still a teenager working at i-D magazine. From the very beginning, it was clear that they shared a deep passion and talent for capturing stunning images of people. Over the years, their work has graced the covers and pages of major fashion magazines from all over the world, earning them widespread acclaim as some of the best portrait photographers in the business.
Mert and Marcus’ unique style is characterized by bold colours, crisp lines, and dramatic lighting. Their subjects often exude power and confidence through dramatic poses that highlight their strength, beauty, attitude, or artistic sensibility. Whether their subjects are models or celebrities or simply everyday people with an incredible story to tell, Mert and Marcus have an uncanny ability to bring out their inner magnificence on camera.
Despite rising to fame in different regions of the globe, Mert and Marcus remain devoted to each other both personally and professionally. Through thick and thin – from collaborating on ground-breaking magazine covers to weathering personal struggles – this dynamic duo held together with a steadfast determination that shows just how powerful their mutual love can be.
Petra Collins
Petra Collins is a Canadian artist and photographer who first gained attention for her work with the fashion brand American Apparel. Collins has since built a successful career as a portrait photographer, working with clients such as Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, and Rolling Stone. Her unique style combines elements of portraiture, fashion, and fine art, resulting in images that are both beautiful and evocative. In addition to her commercial work, Collins is also a successful fine art photographer, with her work being featured in galleries around the world. Petra Collins is a truly unique talent, and her enigmatic portraits continue to captivate audiences worldwide.
Martin Schoeller
Martin Schoeller’s detailed, highly technical style and his flawless use of natural light have resulted in some of the most striking portraits ever captured on film.
Born in Munich, Germany in 1968, Schoeller grew up as the son of an engineer and an artist. His parents encouraged his interest in art and photography, and he soon built up a large collection of cameras that he loved to experiment with. After high school, he moved to New York City to study photography at the School of Visual Arts. It was here that he honed his skills as a portrait photographer, eventually going on to start his own studio in Manhattan.
Throughout his career, Schoeller has shot portraits for a wide variety of subjects and publications. His photographs have been featured in such prominent magazines as GQ, Time Magazine, Rolling Stone, Esquire, The New Yorker, and The New York Times Magazine. He has been praised for his unique ability to capture people’s faces and personalities through creative lighting techniques and dramatic poses. In many ways, Schoeller’s work reflects the changing landscape of portraiture over the years.
Mario Testino
Born in Peru in 1954, Mario Testino was destined to become a renowned portrait photographer. As a young boy, he was fascinated with photography, and as soon as he was old enough, he purchased his first camera and set out to hone his craft. Over the years, Testino developed a unique style that combined youthful exuberance with an elegance and precision that made him stand out among his peers.
Throughout his career, Testino worked with some of the biggest names in fashion and entertainment. His work has appeared in publications all around the world, including Vogue Paris and Vanity Fair. He has also photographed famous figures like Princess Diana, Kate Moss, and Madonna for major campaigns and campaigns. However, despite his many successes and accolades, Testino still maintains a refreshing humility about his craft. Through his compositions and lighting techniques, he continues to capture the spirit and essence of those who work with him. His ability to bring out their true inner beauty is what truly sets him apart from other photographers in his field.
David LaChapelle
David LaChapelle is a world-renowned portrait photographer whose work often blurs the line between art and commercial photography. Born in Connecticut in 1963, LaChapelle began his career as a staff photographer for the music magazine Rolling Stone. He quickly developed a unique style that blended elements of pop culture, fashion, and fine art. In the 1990s, LaChapelle rose to prominence with his striking portraits of celebrities like Madonna, Tupac Shakur, and David Bowie. His work often satirized popular culture and challenged conventional ideas about beauty and fame. In addition to his portraiture, LaChapelle is also known for his fashion photography, which has been featured in magazines like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. In recent years, he has increasingly focused on fine art photography, producing series of ethereal images that explore themes of religion, sexuality, and death. Despite his success, LaChapelle remains one of the most down-to-earth people in the business, famously saying “I’m just a country boy who likes to take pictures”.
Pamela Hanson
Pamela Hanson is a world-renowned portrait photographer who has spent her career capturing the beauty and essence of her subjects. Born in New York City in 1953, Hanson began her career as a fashion model before turning her attention to photography. Her unique ability to connect with her subjects has resulted in some of the most intimate and insightful portraits ever captured on film. In addition to her work in portraiture, Hanson has also produced several acclaimed photojournalism series, including “Women of Afghanistan” and ” Mothers and Daughters.” Her work has been featured in countless publications, including Time, Vogue, and Vanity Fair. Pamela Hanson is one of the most gifted photographers of our time, and her passion for her craft is evident in every frame.
Antonin Kratochvil
Antonin Kratochvil is a renowned portrait photographer whose images capture the essence of his subjects with incredible depth and sensitivity. Born in Prague, Czechoslovakia in 1956, Kratochvil began taking pictures at a very young age and quickly showed an abundance of talent. His first major success was winning a national photography contest that showcased the work of aspiring young photographers across the country.
Throughout his career, Kratochvil has travelled all over the world, seeking out unique people to capture on film. He believes that each person holds a story within them, and he strives to capture that story in each photo. His striking portraits have been featured in numerous publications, including National Geographic and Time Magazine, and they have won him a number of prestigious awards as well as critical acclaim from his peers. Today, he continues to be one of the most sought-after artists working in portraiture today. Despite his global success and popularity, however, Kratochvil remains humble and dedicated to his craft. He truly embodies the spirit of artistic expression at its finest.
Bella Kotak
What many people may not realize is that Bella’s signature style has been developing since childhood. From a young age, Bella was fascinated with photography and regularly found herself experimenting with different techniques. She was particularly interested in capturing natural facial expressions, paying close attention to how light played off someone’s features and picking up on subtle details that others might overlook. Over time, this developed into her trademarked style of blending low lighting with softer colours to evoke feelings of deep emotion from her subjects. Today, Bella continues to push the boundaries of what it means to create a meaningful portrait, shaping the way we see ourselves and others around us.
Olivia Bee
Olivia Bee is a portrait photographer who is known for her unique style and ability to capture the emotions of her subjects. Born in Portland, Oregon, Bee began taking photographs at a young age. Her first camera was a gift from her father, and she quickly developed a passion for photography. After high school, Bee studied at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. It was there that she honed her skills and developed her signature style. Bee’s work has been featured in a number of magazines, including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Vanity Fair. In addition, she has exhibited her work in several galleries across the United States. Olivia Bee is a talented artist whose photos are sure to appeal to anyone who sees them.
Sue Bryce
Sue Bryce is a world-renowned portrait photographer who has been shooting glamourous shots of women for over 25 years. Born in New Zealand, Sue began her career as a make-up artist before moving into photography. After studying under some of the world’s most prestigious photographers, she developed her own unique style that combines classic Hollywood glamour with a modern edge. Today, Sue is one of the most sought-after photographers in the world, and her work has been featured in magazines such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and W. In addition to her success as a commercial photographer, Sue is also an accomplished educator, teaching workshops and courses on portraiture all over the world. Thanks to her passion and talent, Sue has helped countless people capture their inner beauty in print.
Lisa Kristine
Lisa Kristine is an award-winning portrait photographer who is known for her stunning images of people around the world. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Lisa developed a passion for photography from a young age, and although she pursued a career in law at first, her love for photography eventually brought her back to her true calling.
After working as an assistant for several renowned photographers in LA, Lisa set out on a journey across the globe to capture striking portraits of people from all walks of life. Her powerful images have been featured in many high-profile publications, including National Geographic and Time Magazine, and she has received numerous awards for her work, including the LEAD Award from Columbia Pictures and the Lucie Foundation’s International Grant.
Today, Lisa continues to travel all over the world, capturing striking images that help to bring attention to pressing social issues. She has also become an outspoken advocate for impoverished communities and marginalized people around the globe, using her platform as a photographer to raise awareness about vulnerable populations.
Julia Margaret Cameron
Julia Margaret Cameron was a portrait photographer who was active in the nineteenth century, and her work helped to revolutionize the field of photography. Born into a family of artists, Cameron displayed an early talent for painting, and she developed her skills at the hands of some of the most famous artists of her time. After meeting Sir John Herschel, one of the founders of modern photography, she became deeply interested in the art form and purchased a camera.
Cameron began experimenting with various photographic techniques, including development and printing methods. These innovative approaches quickly made her stand out as one of the top photographers of her era. She often used large-format cameras to produce detailed portraits that captured exotic facial expressions and complex emotions in her subjects. Her work also focused heavily on individual character over more traditional aesthetic considerations, resulting in highly expressive images that still resonate today. Many consider Cameron to be one of the most influential portrait photographers ever, not only for the technical innovations she introduced but also for helping to elevate portraiture from mere art to a true window into human experience.
Francesca Woodman
Francesca Woodman was a gifted portrait photographer who revolutionized the way we see the body through her art. She came from a long line of artists and was introduced early on to photography, working with both traditional film and experimental techniques. Her photographs are often abstract, creating dreamlike images that blur the lines between reality and fantasy.
Woodman is well known for using her own body as her primary subject, often appearing nude or partially hidden in some way. Despite being a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field, she impressed critics with her stunning images and made an indelible mark on twentieth century photography. She passed away at the young age of 22, but left behind a dazzling body of work that continues to fascinate viewers today. Whether examining her more experimental photographs or looking at her portraiture in greater detail, it is impossible to deny the incredible talent of this pioneering portrait photographer. Her creativity and passion continue to live on through each image she captured during her short but brilliant career.
Edward S. Curtis
Edward S Curtis was a renowned portrait photographer who is best known for his work documenting the Native American people of the western United States. Born in Wisconsin in 1868, Curtis began his career as a amateur photographer before eventually finding success as a professional. In 1900, he embarked on a multi-year project to document the Native American tribes of the West, producing over 10,000 photographs and more than 500 audio recordings. Curtis’s work was instrumental in preserving the cultures and histories of the Native American people, and his photographs remain an important record of a vanishing way of life. Today, his work is widely admired by photographers and historians alike, and his legacy continues to influence photographers working in all corners of the world.
James Van Der Zee
James Van Der Zee was a celebrated portrait photographer who rose to fame in the early 20th century. He was born in Lenox, Massachusetts in 1886, and from a young age he showed a great interest in photography. Although he initially worked at conventional portrait studios, his true passion lay in capturing the lives of African American communities around New York City. Using innovative lighting and composition techniques, he succeeded in creating stunning images that conveyed both the vibrancy and adversity of everyday life for blackAmericans.
Over time, Van Der Zee became an acclaimed artist and author, as well as one of the most prominent photographers of his generation. He was recognized both nationally and internationally for his work, and excerpts from his photographs appeared alongside poems and essays that he had written himself. Despite living through some turbulent times in America’s history, James Van Der Zee continued to capture the essence of African American culture with his art, becoming a pioneer for future generations of artists and creatives alike. In short, he is remembered today as a true master of photography.
Jovana Rikalo
Jovana Rikalo was born in Yugoslavia in 1985. When she was just a year old, her family immigrated to the United States, settling in Chicago. As a child, Jovana showed a natural talent for art, and she began taking photographs when she was 12 years old. After graduating from high school, she studied photography at the Columbia College of Art and Design. It was during her time at Columbia that Jovana began to develop her signature style of portraiture. Her photographs are characterized by their use of light and shadow, as well as their intimate portrayal of the subjects. In 2010, Jovana had her first solo exhibition at the Chicago Cultural Center.
George Hurrell
George Hurrell was one of the most successful and celebrated portrait photographers of the twentieth century. He is best known for his work in Hollywood, where he captured the likenesses of some of the biggest stars of the day. His dramatic, high-contrast style was unique and instantly recognizable, and it helped to define the look of Hollywood glamour.
Hurrell began his career as a painter, but he soon realized that photography was his true passion. He relocated to Hollywood in 1926, and within a few years he had established himself as one of the city’s most in-demand photographers. His list of clients included everyone from Joan Crawford and Clark Gable to Humphrey Bogart and Cary Grant. Hurrell’s work appeared on the covers of magazines like Vanity Fair and Vogue, and he even directed a few short films.
Though he was highly successful, Hurrell’s life was not without its struggles. He battled alcoholism for many years, and he was sued by several actresses who claimed that he had taken nude photographs of them without their consent. However, these difficulties did not dim his talent or his reputation; George Hurrell remained one of Hollywood’s most celebrated photographers until his death in 1992.
Arnold Newman
Newman captured images that told stories about his subjects and their work – whether he was photographing artists at work in their studios, politicians giving speeches to thousands of supporters from behind the podium, or scientists discussing ground-breaking research in their offices. Throughout his career, Newman worked tirelessly to perfect his craft, traveling all over the world to capture striking images that revealed more about each subject’s true personality and accomplishments. He is widely considered to be one of the forerunners of modern portrait photography.
Mark Mann
Mark Mann is a world-renowned portrait photographer, known for his striking and intimate images of celebrities, politicians, and other public figures. Born in 1961 in New York City, Mann grew up surrounded by art and creativity, with his parents running an art gallery that showcased the work of many prominent artists. This early exposure to the world of art helped to inspire Mann’s own creative pursuits and eventually led him to pursue photography as a career.
As a young adult, Mann studied photography at university, eventually graduating with a degree in the field. He quickly found success working as both a freelance photographer and assistant for well-established photographers like Annie Leibovitz and Richard Avedon. His unique style soon gained recognition within the industry, allowing him to establish himself as a leading light within portrait photography. Today, Mann’s photos continue to be featured in leading magazines and newspapers all over the world. In addition to his commercial work, he also runs workshops and lectures regularly on the craft of portraiture.
Lorenzo Agius
Born in 1965 in London, England, Lorenzo Agius spent his early years exploring the streets and parks of the city that would one day become the subject of his captivating photographs. After graduating high school, he attended art school and pursued a degree in fine arts, which led him to his lifelong passion of photography.
Throughout his career, Lorenzo has focused on capturing people’s faces and stories through portraiture. He is especially drawn to marginalized communities and those on the fringes of society, using photography as a means to bring their struggles and resilience into the spotlight. His style is richly textured and intricately detailed, showcasing each person’s unique character in its full glory. And through his lens, he seeks to encompass not just what people look like, but who they are at their core.
In addition to working as a photographer, Lorenzo is also an avid educator. He has taught courses on both photography and art at universities across Europe, sharing his immense knowledge with students from around the world. Through teaching, he hopes to inspire a new generation of photographers to forge their own paths while making meaningful connections with others along the way.
Conclusion
Portrait photographers are not just technically competent, but they possess a quality that allows them to make their subjects feel at ease very quickly. If you conduct more thorough research, you’ll often find that a photographer has a particular celebrity they like to work with more than others. This is only to be expected, we warm more to some personality types than others, and photography is no different. What makes an incredible portrait photographer is being able to charm and disarm your client in a very short time span. Often for commercial shoots you may only have fifteen minutes in a hotel room with an A list star, and you’ve got to get the shot. Like anything, practice makes perfect, it’s just as important to learn about how you communicate with people as it is to master your camera and your lights.