27 Famous Fashion Photographers You Should Know in 2023
Have a taste of glitz, glamour, and elegance with this definitive guide to the most famous fashion photographers on Instagram to follow this year.
Famous Photographers | Learn | By Ana Mireles
Fashion photography displays clothing and other fashion items like haute couture (‘high fashion’) in a creative and unique way.
Typically using models and extravagant poses, the world’s most famous fashion photographers have become household names for their craft.
Here’s a list of 27 modern fashion photographers who are creating amazing imagery on Instagram in 2023.
Table of Contents
Who Are Some Famous Fashion Photographers to Follow on Instagram?
1. Georges Antoni
View this post on Instagram
@georgesantoni
Georges Antoni is one of the best fashion photographers today. He was born and raised in a remote rural town in Australia. This gave him an eye for landscape and natural beauty.
After his chain food shops company failed, he decided to work as a freelance photographer. He approached a modelling agency and so his career in photography started.
Since then, he’s worked with some of the most influential magazines. This includes Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. Amongst some of his most famous clients, there’s Versace and Hugo Boss.
Antoni has also photographed famous public figures like Rhianna and Miranda Kerr.
With this, he has become one of the most notable names in high fashion photography.
- Read more: Who are the most famous black photographers?
2. Richard Avedon
View this post on Instagram
@avedonfoundation
Richard Avedon was one of the most influential fashion photographers in history. He started his photography career at the end of World War II.
Avedon’s early career was in Harper’s Bazaar magazine. He revolutionised fashion portraits by holding photo shoots in unconventional settings.
Later, he developed a style characterised by solid black-and-white contrasts. He also worked as a documentarist. His most influential work in this area happened in the American West.
His work has been exhibited in museums around the world. Currently, it’s managed by The Richard Avedon Foundation. The foundation is the one that curates the Instagram account.
3. David Bailey
View this post on Instagram
@bailey_studio
Bailey is a British photographer and director and one of the top fashion photographers worldwide. He discovered photography while he was at the Royal Air Force in Malaysia.
Then, he started his career as an assistant for other fashion photographers. The most notable one was his period at John Cole’s Studio Five.
Later, he started a freelance career working for British Vogue and other clients. His life inspired the character from the film Blow Up by Michelangelo Antonioni.
4. Cecil Beaton
View this post on Instagram
@cecil_beaton
Sir Cecil Walter Hardy Beaton (AKA Cecil Beaton) was one of the most influential fashion photographers of the 20th century.
How Much Do You REALLY Know About Photography?! 🤔
Test your photography knowledge with this quick quiz!
See how much you really know about photography...
He was also an artist in many disciplines, including a costume designer. This made him receive an Academy Award price for costume and art direction in My Fair Lady.
He also photographed the royal family on multiple occasions. One of them was the wedding pictures of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.
Beaton worked for many fashion magazines and designers. He was posted at the Ministry of Information during WWII to photograph the home front.
He passed away in 1980, but the Cecil Beaton Studio Archive manages his Instagram account.
5. Alessio Bolzoni
View this post on Instagram
@alessiobolzoni
Bolzoni is an Italian fashion photographer currently based in London. Models in uncanny poses characterise his images.
He’s worked with some of the most renowned companies, including Dior and Fendi. He’s often collaborated with film director Luca Guadagnino.
Bolzoni is also noted in the art world. He’s published a few artist books, including Abuse. Here he portrays flowers in white paper backdrops to evoke an operating table.
- Read more: Who are the most famous photographers?
6. Guy Bourdin
View this post on Instagram
@guybourdinofficial
Guy Bourdin is a French photographer and artist known for his provocative fashion photography.
He started his career working mainly for French Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. He’s also collaborated with brands such as Chanel and Bloomingdales.
The campaign he shot for Chanel in 1987 granted him the Infinity Award from the International Center of Photography.
His surreal aesthetics make his images unique. His work is part of the permanent collection of many museums like the MOMA, the Tate and the Getty Museum.
- Read more: What are the most famous portraits?
7. Matthew Brookes
View this post on Instagram
@matthewbrookesphoto
Matthew Brookes is a British photographer who specialises in the fashion industry. However, he also photographs celebrities and advertising images.
He also enjoys photographing dancers and sports figures. This is because he likes to explore movement and the possibilities of the human body.
On top of his fascination for the human body, he wants to capture the soul of his models. He aims to go beyond the impression they want to give and photograph the real person underneath.
He’s worked for Cartier, Armani, Vanity Fair, and GQ Style UK, amongst others.
Truly an established figure among contemporary fashion photographers.
8. Dario Catellani
View this post on Instagram
@dariocatellani
Dario Catellani is an Italian artist and photographer. He’s known for his conceptual approach to fashion photography.
He’s been commissioned by Vogue US, M le Monde, Vogue UK, and others for editorial shootings. As for the fashion firms, he’s worked with Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Dior – just to name a few.
Catellani has also shot films for many of his clients. Some of them are Givenchy and Vogue Italia. The CLM agency represents him.
- Read more: Who are the most famous dog photographers?
9. Amanda Charcian
View this post on Instagram
@amanda_charcian
Amanda Charcian is an artist and photographer based in LA. Her photographic work is mainly in the fashion world.
She likes to emphasise female sensuality. In her images, she achieves this by representing her models in an intimate and mystical way.
Charcian’s work has been featured in TIME magazine, Vogue Italia, and AnOther Magazine. She’s also collaborated with fashion brands, including Gucci, Chloe, Cartier, and others.
- Read more: Do you know these car photographers?
10. Petra Collins
View this post on Instagram
@petrafcollins
Petra Collins is a Canadian artist and photographer. She explores the complexities of contemporary life.
She uses photography, music, film, art, and fashion to express her creative view. She likes to explore the “complex intersection of life as a young woman online and off.”
Her Instagram sparked popularity due to intense controversy. This was because of an image of self-portraiture showing her in a non-depilated bikini. Since that moment, she’s become a feminist icon.
Her style includes pastel colors and bright neon. In her fashion career, she’s collaborated with Vogue Magazine, i-D and others.
She’s also worked with Alessandro Michele, the creative director at Gucci. Together they produced videos and advertising campaigns for the brand.
11. Patrick Demarchelier
View this post on Instagram
@patrickdemarchelier
Patrick Demarchelier is one of the most famous fashion photographers. So much so that he’s used as a reference in popular culture. For example, his name is often recalled in The Devil Wears Prada.
He worked with prestigious publications such as Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, Glamour, and Esquire. He was often doing the photograph for the cover.
Demarchelier also worked for many of the big names in the fashion industry. He shot campaigns for Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Yves Saint Laurent, L’Oreal, Channel, and others.
He also did the Pirelli Calendar in 2005 and 2008. Demarchelier passed away last year (2022). His Instagram account still gets updated with news about upcoming exhibitions.
12. Aleah Michele Ford
View this post on Instagram
@aleah_michele
Aleah Michele Ford (AKA Aleah Ford) is a multidisciplinary artist.
Her fashion photography often crosses the border into fine art. She uses digital manipulation to create surreal scenes.
She often depicts giant insects in her photographs. So, don’t follow her if you have a phobia.
(More famous fine art photographers here.)
13. Pamela Hanson
View this post on Instagram
@pamela_hanson
Pamela Hanson is one of the most important fashion photographers and directors.
Throughout her 30+ years as a photographer, she’s been published by Vogue, Vanity Fair, Elle, Glamour, Porter, and others.
Amongst her clients, you’ll find Victoria’s Secret, Dior, Polo Ralph Lauren, Esprit, Avon, and Reebok. She’s also directed video and TV campaigns for many of these clients.
Some of her work is part of the permanent collection at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
14. James Houston
View this post on Instagram
@jameshoustonphoto
James Houston is an Australian portrait photographer. He specializes in beauty, lifestyle, nude, celebrities, and fashion.
He entered the fashion world as a model in the early 80s. That’s when he bought his first camera and decided to pursue photography as a career.
Later, he returned to Australia and has worked with many publications since then. He’s also become an activist and has raised millions of dollars for charity.
Houston has published five award-winning books, including MOVE. This publication raised almost half a million dollars for HIV/AIDS charities.
15. George Hoyningen-Huene
View this post on Instagram
@georgeshoyningenhuenearchives
He was a known fashion photographer from the 1920s and 1930s. His most famous clients include Balenciaga and jeweller Cartier. He became the chief photographer at French Vogue.
Hoyningen-Huene collaborated with other big names such as Horst P. Horst and Cecil Beaton.
The George Hoyningen-Huene Estate manages his Instagram account.
16. JUCO
View this post on Instagram
@jucophoto
JUCO is a fashion photography studio that represents the collective work of Julia Galdo and Cody Cloud.
Both artists met while studying at the San Francisco Art Institute. Since their first class assignments, they’ve continued to work together.
They’ve worked on advertising and fashion projects for many known brands. There are Adidas, Nike, Adobe, H&M, Book Moda, Vogue, Saks Fifth Avenue, and others.
17. Tony Kelly
View this post on Instagram
@tonykellyworld
Tony Kelly is an Irish fashion photographer based in LA. His images are very theatrical with a glamorous and colorful style.
Before diving into the fashion industry, he worked as a photojournalist. During this period, he photographed celebrities in their everyday life.
Today, he still captures celebrities but as a portrait photographer. Many have made the cover of famous magazines such as Vanity Fair and GQ.
He’s also done fine art projects, including two critically acclaimed photo books.
18. Sebastian Kim
View this post on Instagram
@sebkimstudio
Sebastian Kim is one of the most recognized fashion photographers in the world. He was born in Vietnam and escaped the war, leading him to change countries regularly.
All the while, he was pursuing his fashion. Throughout his career, he assisted other fashion photographers, such as Richard Avedon. Slowly building his reputation as a clothing photographer.
Once he developed his style and made a name in the fashion industry, he thrived. He’s made portraits of celebrities like Brad Pitt, Woody Allen, and Meryl Streep.
- He’s also one of the go-to photographers for top publications. Amongst them, there’s American Vogue, Vanity Fair, and Harper’s Bazaar.
Read more: Who are the most famous street photographers?
19. David LaChapelle
View this post on Instagram
@david_lachapelle
David LaChapelle is an American photographer and artist. In his fashion photography, he often references masterpieces from art history.
His style is highly recognizable, in part due to the bold and vibrant colors he uses. LaChapelle has photographed multiple personalities, such as Lady Gaga. He’s also worked with big fashion brands and magazines.
His first solo exhibition was in 2002 at the Barbican Museum in London. Since then, he’s been exhibited in many institutions. For example, the Victoria and Albert Museum, Tel Aviv Museum of Art, and Musee d’Orsay.
He’s also part of the permanent collections of the National Portrait Gallery (London) and the Bayerische Staatsoper Portrait Gallery (Munich).
20. Nadia Lee Cohen
View this post on Instagram
@nadialeecohen
Nadia Lee Cohen is a British artist well-established in the photography world. She uses popular culture as inspiration for her work. She has made a name for herself as a talented model photographer.
She works in fashion and commercial photography as well as films. She’s worked with Balenciaga Mac, Adidas, Gucci, Valentino, and others.
She’s photographed Pamela Anderson, Sophia Loren, Kim Kardashian, and many other public figures. She’s also worked as a model and actress.
21. Peter Lindbergh
View this post on Instagram
@therealpeterlindbergh
Peter Lindbergh was born Peter Brodbeck. He’s a German photographer and film director.
He shot the British Vogue cover that kicked off the era of supermodels in 1990. This photograph featured Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, Tatjana Patitz, Cindy Crawford, and Christy Turlington.
He preferred black and white over color photography. During an interview in 2008, he explained, “What’s so striking about black and white is how it really helps a sense of reality to come through”.
Lindeberg shot the Pirelli calendar in 1996 and 2002. He also worked with many musicians and was the author of many album covers.
On top of his photographic work, he also directed films and documentaries.
22. Mert and Marcus
View this post on Instagram
@mertalas.marcuspiggott
Mert and Marcus is a fashion photography collective formed by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott. Oddly enough, neither of them was a photographer before they started collaborating.
Alas was a musician, while Piggott was a graphic designer. However, the combination was a success in the photography world.
They’ve worked for multiple publications and fashion labels. They’ve also photographed celebrities like Madonna, Rhianna, Adele, and others.
23. Alexander Newmann
View this post on Instagram
@shotview_management
Alexander Newmann is a fashion photographer from Peru. He was exposed to art from a very young age because his father was a painter. This helped shape the unique style he has today.
Newmann works primarily with natural light. He has collaborated with multiple magazines and designers. The Shotview agency manages him.
His Instagram account is private, but you can follow Shotview’s account to see his work.
24. Helmut Newton
View this post on Instagram
@helmutnewtonfoundation
One of the most famous German fashion photographers, even if many people know him to be an Australian. His passion for photography started when he was 12 years old.
Due to his multiple relocations, especially during WWII, he couldn’t pursue this passion until later in life.
In the 1950s, he established himself in fashion photography. He could do this thanks to a contract with Vogue. Since then, he developed his known style of bold lighting and unusual settings.
Newton has influenced most fashion photographers in the world.
To see his work, you can follow the account @helmutnewtonfoundation and helmut_newton_photography. The first one is dedicated to preserving and promoting his work. The second one handles the archive.
25. Norman Parkinson
View this post on Instagram
@norman_parkinson
Norman Parkinson is a British fashion photographer known for shooting outdoors. A world-renowned name among Vogue photographers.
He started photographing famous models for Vogue while serving in the Royal Air Force. He became the official photographer for the British Royal Family in 1969.
His style has been defined as having an “imaginative flair for colour and dream-like compositions that blended humour and elegance, all with a quintessentially British charm”. – AnOther Magazine.
He’s won multiple awards, including Lifetime Achievement from the American Society of Magazine Photographers.
26. Mario Testino
View this post on Instagram
@mariotestino
Mario Testino is a Peruvian fashion photographer recognized worldwide. He’s worked for many magazines such as GQ, V Magazine, and Vogue.
He’s also collaborated with labels like Versace, Burberry, Gucci, and Carolina Herrera.
Testino is a very controversial figure. Some male models he’s worked with have accused him of sexual harassment. Although there aren’t any police investigations about it (as of 10/2022), it caused him to lose some of his clients. Conde Nast, for example, stated that they wouldn’t be commissioning him on any projects in the foreseeable future.
Alongside his fashion photography, he does a lot of charity work. One of his most noteworthy honours is being an ambassador for Save the Children.
Another famous example of his philanthropy is his El Salvador clinic funding. All the money was raised by selling a single print from his portrait of Princess Diana.
You can follow his Instagram accounts @mariotestino and mario_testino_photography.
27. Jingna Zhang
View this post on Instagram
@zemotion
She is a Chinese fine art photographer and director. Her unique style and magical elements made her famous and successful in fashion photography.
She’s worked with Vogue, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar. She’s also shown her work at PhotoVogue and Profoto, amongst other gallery exhibitions.
Take the HARD Photography Quiz! 🤯
Now it's time to really test your photography knowledge!
(99% of people can't get all the questions right...)
She was part of Forbes Asia’s 30 under 30 list for Art and Style (2018).
FAQs about the most famous fashion photographers
Who are some Vogue fashion photographers?
- Guy Bourdin
- Irving Penn
- Edward Steichen
- Toni Frissel
- Peter Lindbergh
Who are some famous 70s fashion photographers?
- Al Vandenberg
- Jack Garofalo
- Dennis Feldman
- Nick DeWolf
- Charles H. Traub
Who are some famous female fashion photographers?
- Eve Arnold
- Lee Miller
- Corinne Day
- Toni Frissell
- Louise Dahl Wolfe
Who is the most famous fashion photographer of all time?
It’s always difficult to name just one. Most people consider Richard Avedon, the most photographer of all time. This is because of the role he played in defining American visual culture.
However, others would say it’s Peter Lindbergh or Helmut Newton. Other influential names are Horst P. Horst, Irving Penn, Cecile Beaton, and Lee Miller.
Who is the photographer for Zara?
Some of the Zara photographers are David Portela, Matteo Montanari, Karim Sadli, and Derek Henderson.
Who is the photographer for Balenciaga?
Gabriele Galimberti is one of the most famous photographers who’s worked for Balenciaga. Unfortunately, his fame is not always associated with his talent. Instead, he’s known for his controversial campaigns.
Who is the photographer for Dior?
Dior has worked with many fashion photographers. Brigitte Niedermair is one of the most noted names currently photographing for Dior. She’s been doing so for over ten years. They recently published a book to celebrate their long collaboration.
Final Words on Influential Fashion Photographers
If you’re interested in fashion photography, you need to know its history.
You also must stay updated about the latest trends. Following the Instagram accounts of the most famous representatives is a great way to do this.
Fashion photography is one of the genres closest to fine art. Often these images end up in museums and private collections.
Make sure you study the lighting and storytelling technique of your favorite photographers.
They’re often more than compelling selling strategies. They form a unique style that can define an artist.
I hope you enjoyed this list. Please share with us which other photographers we should follow.
Check out these 8 essential tools to help you succeed as a professional photographer.
Includes limited-time discounts.
Ana Mireles is a Mexican researcher that specializes in photography and communications for the arts and culture sector.
WELCOME TO SHOTKIT
Enter your email to be sent
today's Welcome Gift:
19 Photography Tools
🔥 Popular NOW:
Shotkit may earn a commission on affiliate links. Learn more.