These fashion photographers will convince you that fashion photography is a legitimate art form

 

It‘s easy to write fashion photography off when it comes to deciding what counts as a form of art and what doesn‘t. Yes, the commercial aspect is quite disturbing and the fact that the goal of many photographs is to allure the clients into buying extremely expensive pieces of clothing, jewelry, etc. also complicates the decision but the truth is that there are some fashion photographers who turned their craft into something worth hanging on walls of museums and world-class galleries as much as the critically appraised „artistic“ photographs. Today we will meet five marvelous artists and enjoy the shots they took and their thoughts on their work.

1. Peter Lindbergh

 

We’ve already published an article on Peter Lindbergh on this site - an in memoriam piece, after the artist’s passing. He was one of the greatest fashion photographers of all time and people whom he photographed always remembered him as someone who made them feel comfortable in their own skin and in front of the camera. He was also all about female empowerment, he one said that “If photographers are responsible for creating or reflecting an image of women in society, then, I must say, there is only one way for the future, and this is to define women as strong and independent. This should be the responsibility of photographers today: to free women, and finally everyone, from the terror of youth and perfection“.

 

 

2. Helmut Newton

 

Helmut Newton‘s style is unique and sexy. His photos seem raw and polished at the same time. Back when sexuality didn‘t have as much exposure at it does now, Newton played with it boldly and artistically. He once said “My job as a portrait photographer is to seduce, amuse and entertain.” His photos surely are very entertaining.

 

 

 

3. Annie Leibovitz

 

Annie Leibovitz has a world of her own and that‘s where she takes everyone who become the stars of her photographs. Her fairytalesque style and artistic approach makes her photos look a little like paintings, turning everything into a dramatic moment, full of color, life and stories. She doesn‘t compromise about her art and she once said “I'm more interested in being good than being famous“. That‘s something to admire.

 

 

4. Tim Walker

 

If you‘re a reader of our articles, you will also know Tim Walker from our previous piece dedicated to the unique pieces of art created by this visionary photographer. His photographs take you to a magical universe where the laws of physics are just a slight suggestion.

“I like capturing stuff that is disappearing - that’s the point of photography. What I am photographing is an imaginary place that never existed, but is connected to something that has already been“ – Tim Walker.

 

 

5. Mario Testino

 

Mario Testino is a name every fashion enthusiast knows very well. His photographs are stylish, clean and dreamy. Yet, he once said „Some people strive for perfection, but I often find perfection boring“. He also created a towel series which features the biggest celebrities in nothing but a bathrobe and a towel on their head. He might be less „artsy“ in the conventional way of  understanding of that concept than the others on the list but his pieces are sure worth mentioning.

 

These are only a few names and there are so many more. Take time to explore fashion photography and you just might find some really unique jewels.