Well-known portrait photographers
A good portrait goes beyond a pretty picture - it captures the essence of a person. The photographers in this list have each developed a unique style with which they have left a recognisable signature in portrait photography. I look at these heroes with admiration. They give me a dot on the horizin and to get there, I happily drown myself in portrait shoots, at home or in the studio.
Feel free to contact me for a portrait shoot.
Here is part of my hero list of portrait photographers:
1. Annie Leibovitz (1949-present, USA)
Known for her iconic portraits of celebrities with a carefully staged approach.
2. Richard Avedon (1923-2004, USA)
Minimalist black-and-white portraits that reveal the inner world of his subjects.
3. Irving Penn (1917-2009, USA)
Stylish and timeless portraits with a strong emphasis on form and contrast.
4. Yousuf Karsh (1908-2002, Canada)
Legendary for his dramatic lighting and penetrating gaze of his models.
5. Peter Lindbergh (1944-2019, Germany)
Famous for his raw, unpolished portraits that highlight natural beauty.
6. Platon (1968-present, UK)
Creates powerful, close-up portraits with a penetrating gaze.
7. Zanele Muholi (1972-present, South Africa)
Documents the identity and strength of its models with an activist angle.
8. Paolo Roversi (1947-present, Italy)
Poetic, dreamy portraits with a soft focus and use of Polaroid film.
9. Bettina Rheims (1952-present, France)
Known for her intimate, often provocative portraits of women.
10. Vincent Peters (1969-present, Germany)
Cinematic black-and-white portraits with a nostalgic feel.
11. Rineke Dijkstra (1959-present, Netherlands)
Minimalist and confrontational portraits with a deep psychological charge.
12. Helmut Newton (1920-2004, Germany/Australia)
Characterised by his powerful and often bold fashion and portrait photography.
13. David LaChapelle (1963-present, USA)
Bright colours, surreal settings and over-the-top portraits.
14. Sally Mann (1951-present, USA)
Intimate and sometimes controversial portraits of family and children.
15. Gregory Crewdson (1962-present, USA)
Large, cinematic portraits that exude an air of mystery.
16. Juergen Teller (1964-present, Germany)
Casual, raw portraits with a snapshot-like style.
17. Tim Walker (1970-present, UK)
Playful, fairy-tale portraits with imaginative settings.
18. Anton Corbijn (1955-present, Netherlands)
Known for his rough, grainy black-and-white portraits of musicians and artists.
19. Mary Ellen Mark (1940-2015, USA)
Captured the lives of outsiders and subcultures in her portraits.
20. Rankin (1966-present, UK)
Known for his fashionable and bold portraits of celebrities.
21. Bryan Adams (1959-present, Canada)
In addition to being a musician, he is also a successful celebrity portrait photographer.
22. Steve McCurry (1950-present, USA)
World-famous for Afghan Girl and his colourful, human portraits.
23. Nan Goldin (1953-present, USA)
Her intimate and personal portraits show the raw side of life.
24. Camille Vivier (1977-present, France)
Known for her dreamy, surreal portraits in fashion photography.
25. Erwin Olaf (1959-2023, Netherlands)
Known for his stylised, cinematic portraits with a surrealist slant.
Stephan Vanfleteren (1969-present, Belgium)
I cannot make this list without mentioning my great role model Stephan Vanfleteren. He is known for his powerful black-and-white portraits that have a profound, timeless appeal. His work is steeped in contrast and simplicity, giving each portrait an intense emotional charge. Through his use of subtle lighting and minimal distractions in the background, he manages to capture the essence of his models in a way that is almost tangible. His portraits reveal the soul of his subjects, whether anonymous faces or well-known personalities.
Besides his portraits, Vanfleteren has also realised numerous projects exploring Flemish identity and human existence. His book Portraits collects many of his most influential works and shows how he manages to create enormous impact with a seemingly simple approach. His portraits are intimate, sometimes confrontational, but always with a deep respect for the individual he photographs.
What sets Vanfleteren apart is his ability to portray timelessness and character. His models - ranging from strangers to celebrities - are often captured with minimal distractions, putting the full emphasis on their faces and expressions. His work is often exhibited and praised for the pure, honest way he captures the human condition. His portraits feel not merely as images, but as stories that invite the viewer to dwell longer on the power of simplicity and emotion.
Do you want a portrait that is not just an image, but tells a story? Get in touch with me!
