Here are 21 of the people who are taking the fashion photography world by storm right now.
21. Fashion Photographers: Pamela Hanson
Pamela Hanson is one of the first women to succeed in fashion photography. With over 20 years of experience, she has become an irreplaceable part of the photography community. A post shared by Pamela Hanson (@pamela_hanson) on Feb 5, 2019 at 10:40am PST Hanson has an impressive list of clients that includes Vogue, L’Oreal, and Victoria’s Secret. She has published 3 books, all of which focus on human beauty. Her photos are bright, emphasize her models’ natural skin textures, and have a beautiful, candid feel to them.
20. Mario Testino
Mario Testino is one of the most influential fashion photographers in the world. In addition to photographing famous faces, he is the founder of a museum, a creative director, and more. A post shared by MARIO TESTINO (@mariotestino) on Aug 16, 2018 at 6:58am PDT Testino’s clients include Chanel, Burberry, and Versace. He has also photographed royal families from around the world, including Princess Diana. His photos are candid and fearless. They’re easy to recognize and impossible to ignore.
19. Zhang Jingna
Zhang Jingna got into photography at the age of 18. Shortly after, she became a powerful influencer in the photography community. She’s worked with renowned companies like Harper’s BAZAAR. A post shared by Jingna Zhang 张晶娜 (@zemotion) on Feb 6, 2019 at 7:03pm PST Now, she’s one of today’s leading female fashion photographers. She has been featured in Vogue. And she’s been named on the Forbes 30 under 30 list in Asia. Jingna’s photos are emotional and feature magical elements. Her portfolio appeals to a wide variety of artists.
18. Mert and Marcus
Mert Alaş and Marcus Piggott, also known as Mert and Marcus, are a fashion photography duo who often collaborate during their photoshoots. A post shared by Mert Alas (@mertalas) on Sep 14, 2018 at 3:55am PDT Their photos focus on beauty, fashion, and female power. They’re a source of inspiration for both portrait photographers and fashion enthusiasts. Mert and Marcus have worked with every famous brand imaginable, including Vogue, Dior, and Givenchy.
17. Ellen von Unwerth
Ellen von Unwerth first entered the fashion world as a model. After 10 years of modeling, she received a camera as a gift and fell in love with photography. A post shared by Ellen von Unwerth (@ellenvonunwerth) on Mar 22, 2019 at 11:33am PDT She has worked for Vanity Fair, Dior, Ralph Lauren, and more. In 1998, American Photo Magazine named her one of the most important people in photography. Unwerth prioritizes atmospheres and confidence in her photos.
16. Jeff Bark
Jeff Bark can be described as a fashion photography painter. His photos resemble surreal paintings of unique people and locations. A post shared by Jeffbark (@jeff_bark) on Mar 15, 2020 at 6:21am PDT Bark often builds his own sets. His love for the technical side of photography makes him an outstanding figure in the fashion industry. His work has been featured in Dazed and Confused Magazine. And it is included in several museums, including the North Carolina Museum of Art.
15. Lara Jade
Lara Jade discovered her interest in photography at the age of 14. She started posting self-portraits and photos of others. A post shared by Lara Jade | Photographer (@larajadephotography) on Jul 15, 2018 at 9:00am PDT These posts quickly caught people’s attention and provided Jade with an abundance of popularity. Jade’s love for self-portraiture evolved into a love for fashion photography. And then it turned into a successful business. She now photographs celebrities like Gemma Chan and Zara Larsson. She also works with companies like Avon, Monsoon, and more.
14. Daniel Jackson
Daniel Jackson graduated with a degree in sculpture. It’s perhaps his knowledge of shapes that has helped him light his models in the most flattering ways possible. A post shared by Daniel Jackson Photography (@studio_jackson) on Feb 13, 2019 at 6:02am PST Jackson has worked with professional models like Gigi Hadid and Doutzen Kroes. His work has been featured in i-D, VMAN, and more.
13. Alexandra Nataf
Alexandra is a freelance photographer. She takes intimate and empowering photos of women. A post shared by Alex Nataf (@alexandranataf) on Mar 8, 2019 at 4:51am PST She has photographed celebrities like Elizabeth Olsen (pictured above). And she’s worked with companies like Bobbi Brown, Matteau, and more. She’s also the founder of Unconditional Magazine. This is a community that focuses on groundbreaking stories about women and their lives.
12. Tim Walker
Tim Walker’s models have been gracing the covers of famous magazines for many years. His unusual and dreamy style makes him an icon in the fashion photography world. A post shared by Tim Walker Photography Fans (@timwalkerfans) on Aug 17, 2016 at 5:18am PDT Walker’s photos are a beautiful combination of fine art, fantasy, and fashion. Every photo looks like it was taken out of a fantasy film. Walker regularly works for Vogue. He also makes short films.
11. Sarah Moon
Sarah Moon, formerly known as Marielle Warin, is a 78-year-old photographer who has been an important part of the fashion industry for decades. A post shared by The Red List (@the_red_list) on Mar 2, 2019 at 4:10am PST Moon became well-known in the 1970s. Her atmospheric and romantic photos were always reminiscent of dreams. They were so unique that she quickly became a respected figure in fashion photography. Moon has worked for Vogue, Dior, Comme des Garçons, and more.
10. Bruce Weber
Bruce Weber is one of the most famous fashion photographers in the world. At 73 years old, he has a never-ending list of clients: Calvin Klein, Revlon, Rolling Stone, and more. A post shared by Bruce Weber (@bruce_weber) on Feb 25, 2019 at 8:32am PST Weber stands out from other fashion photographers because of his style. Most of his portraits are in black & white. Despite this, he has over half a million followers on Instagram. And he regularly inspires his fans with emotive photos of famous models.
9. Elizaveta Porodina
Elizaveta Porodina discovered photography when she was studying to become a psychologist. Thanks to her self-awareness, she fell in love with her camera and quit psychology. A post shared by Elizaveta Porodina (@elizavetaporodina) on Jul 4, 2020 at 12:43am PDT One of Porodina’s main sources of inspiration is science fiction. Porodina cares about empathy and emotions. Her photos are vibrant, sharp, and impossible not to analyze. Some of the colors in her photos are so vibrant that it’s impossible to print them.
8. Cole Sprouse
Cole Sprouse is often featured on magazine covers and photographed by the people on this list. But he’s also a rising start in the photography world. A post shared by Cole Sprouse (@colesprouse) on Dec 10, 2016 at 5:47pm PST His photos revolve around fashion, landscapes, and atmospheres. If you scroll through his Instagram, you’ll notice that most of his posts are accompanied by deep stories written by him. Sprouse often photographs his famous co-stars. He works with well-known brands like Adidas, and takes photos for magazines.
7. Olivia Malone
Olivia Malone is a familiar name in the fashion industry. Her photos often feature elegant women surrounded by inviting landscapes. A post shared by olivia malone (@oliviamalone) on Mar 16, 2018 at 8:34pm PDT The combination of softness and empowerment in Malone’s work makes her an outstanding fashion photographer. She’s also a filmmaker who has shot a few famous music videos, including Miley Cyrus’s “We Can’t Stop” video. In addition to that, she directs videos for other artists.
6. Paul Bellaart
Paul Bellaart captures humanity at its finest. His portfolio is filled with hundreds of monochrome and colored portraits. All of them are romantic and emotive. A post shared by Paul Bellaart (@paulbellaart) on Apr 25, 2018 at 9:14am PDT Bellaart focuses on details and atmospheres at the same time. Some of his photos feature specific parts of the human body. Others zoom out and focus on intimate moments shared by friends and family. He does all of this while emphasising the beauty of fashion. Bellaart finds inspiration in real people and their stories. His open-mindedness and romantic style have given him the chance to work with Hermes, Levi’s, Marie Claire, and more.
5. Lina Tesch
Lina Tesch is one of the most popular fashion photographers both online and offline. Her 200,000+ loyal followers on Instagram alone prove that she cares about quality content. A post shared by Lina Tesch (@linatesch) on Jul 19, 2016 at 1:39pm PDT Tesch’s photos stand out so much because they’re fearless, dramatic, and powerful. Her unique style has led to collaborations with Puma, Dior, Swarovski, and more. Another factor that contributes to her appeal is her own love of fashion. Tesch often models for other fashion photographers, and successfully so.
4. David Roemer
David Roemer has an eclectic mix of interests: psychology, film, painting, and fashion photography. With a strong focus on color, he aims to create expressive portraits. A post shared by DAVID ROEMER (@david_roemer) on Feb 9, 2019 at 6:07pm PST Roemer’s portfolio is as eclectic as his interests. Some photos are creatively overexposed, while others are perfectly lit. Roemer has photographed famous actors and models, including Barbara Palvin and Jessica Chastain.
3. Cass Bird
Cass Bird embraces diversity through her elegant fashion photos. Her photos feature men, women, and children who all seem to be comfortable in their own skin. A post shared by Cass Bird (@cassblackbird) on Oct 8, 2017 at 9:03am PDT Bird has also produced videos for Vogue, Revlon, Dior, and more. Her storytelling technique allows her to take sensitive, candid, and vulnerable photos of everyone that models for her. Her clients include American Eagle, Zara, and Calvin Klein. She often photographs famous actors and models in very refreshing ways.
2. Giampaolo Sgura
A post shared by 🄶🄸🄰🄼🄿🄰🄾🄻🄾 🅂🄶🅄🅁🄰 (@giampaolosgura) on Feb 5, 2019 at 5:42am PST Giampaolo Sgura is a force to be reckoned with in the fashion industry. With almost 20 years of experience under his belt, he’s confident and innovative in an industry filled with clichés. Sgura believes in authenticity. He never starts a shoot without getting to know his team and the clothes his models will be wearing. This familiarity helps him take photos that are not only visually appealing but honest. He also prioritizes style over fashion. He believes this is timeless compared to fleeting trends. Sgura has photographed a plethora of celebrities, including Katy Perry and Irina Shayk.
1. Julia Hetta
Julia Hetta’s photos could be confused for Rembrandt paintings. Unlike many fashion photographers today, she exclusively uses natural light most of the time. A post shared by Julia Hetta Studio (@juliahetta) on Jan 11, 2019 at 9:49am PST This gives her fashion portraits an unusual yet recognizable style. Hetta calls herself a romantic person. This is evident in her portfolio. This often features textures, soft light, and models that look like they live in an alternative universe. Hetta’s unique style can be found in magazines like British Vogue and brands like Alexander McQueen.
Conclusion
Fashion photography has and seems like it always will, shape the way we think and live. It’s through this genre that we can learn about photography, trends, and other people’s stories. If you want to improve your fashion photography skills, look through these famous photographer’s pictures. Let them teach you how to take outstanding fashion photos. Looking for more inspiration? Check out our post about the best black and white photographers to follow next!