Many of us are portrait photographers sometime. It’s hard to love photography and not end up “falling into” portrait photography somewhere along the way.
Because there is something fascinating about capturing the essence of a person in an image, which hooks almost everyone who tries it. Today I would like you to let yourself be inspired by this selection of portrait photographers that I have prepared for you.
You will find different styles, periods and techniques, but they all have a common denominator: they are impressive, essential and unmissable. Do you want to see them? Let’s go with today’s shot of inspiration 🙂
- Peter Lindbergh
- Richard Avedon
- Annie Leibovitz
- Mark Grob
- Xenia Lau
- Steve McCurry
- mario testino
- Rachel Chicheri
- Eric Lafforgue
- Ellen von Unwerth
- lee jeffries
- Berta Vicente Salas
- Christina Garcia Rodero
- Sebastian Salgado
- Sally Mann
Portrait Photographers to Follow on Instagram
I’m going to start with the social network of the moment when it comes to photography. Whether we like it or not, Instagram is one of the trendiest social networks and a great platform to find inspiration for any photography lover.
As you will surely have an account, I recommend that you open your eyes wide and enjoy letting yourself be inspired by these current portrait photographers, you will see that there is something for all tastes and colors 🙂
Enjoy them.
1. Peter Lindbergh
The GREAT Peter Lindbergh Unfortunately, he died only a few months ago, but he is a world leader in portrait and fashion photography. He photographed just about everyone of note in the world of fashion and acting for decades. It is well worth your while to take a look at his work.
Peter Lindbergh
2.Richard Avedon
Another great reference when it comes to portraits and fashion is Richard Avedon, a classic among classics that you can follow through his foundation. You will see how much we have to learn from the greats 😉
3. Annie Leibovitz
Another portrait photographer who needs no introduction. Annie Leibovitz, originally from Connecticut in the USA, is the creator of some of the most iconic images of our times. She has portrayed John Lennon and Yoko Onno, Andy Warhol, the Rolling Stones, Muhammad Ali, Dalí, Obama and countless personalities of all kinds. She has worked for Rolling Stone magazine, Vanity Fair or Vogue and has received countless awards in her long career. you can follow her here.
4. Marco Grob
Mark Grob he is one of today’s most deserving portrait photographers to keep track of. This Swiss photographer based in New York has photographed Barack Obama, George Bush, Leonardo Di Caprio, Sandra Bullock, Elton John, Lady Gaga and a long etc., both political personalities and the world of acting, fashion, music , etc. He has worked for countless publications, including Vogue, Vanity Fair, Time, and The New York Times.
Mark Grob
5. Xenia Lau
This portrait photographer specializes in women, whom she portrays extolling their beauty, in photographs full of sweetness and with a truly spectacular staging and lighting technique. I recommend you take a look at his Instagram.
Xenia Lau
6. Steve McCurry
Another one of the portrait photographers that probably doesn’t need much of an introduction ;). Steve McCurry is one of those photographers who, even in life, are a true classic and a worldwide benchmark.
He is the photographer of the emblematic image of the Afghan girl who starred in National Geographic magazine many years ago and left us speechless. But, in addition, he is the creator of many legendary images.
Of all of them, his ability to compose, his mastery of color and to capture and narrate the stories he collects traveling around the planet stand out. Your Instagram account here.
Steve McCurry
7. Mario Testino
mario testino He is a well-known Peruvian photographer who is a world reference in portrait and fashion photography. He has photographed celebrities such as Princess Diana, Claudia Schiffer, Madonna, Scarlett Johansson, Brad Pitt, Jude Law, Mike Jagger and an endless list.
He has worked for magazines like Vogue, Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, etc. You only have to take a look at his Instagram to see why he is one of the best contemporary portrait photographers today.
mario testino
8. Raquel Chicheri
This portrait photographer is very active on Instagram and it is well worth following. She is mainly dedicated to fashion editorials for children’s brands such as Bobo Choses, Zara, Milk Magazine or Vogue. Her portraits are full of feeling and you can find them in both black and white and color. You will see that her freshness, her editing and staging work are excellent.
The series «Paradise» about childhood, you will love it, check it out here.
Rachel Chicheri
9. Eric Lafforgue
Portrait photographer Eric Lafforgue It offers us a window to the world through a warm and kind look towards the people who inhabit it. Lafforgue has traveled to all corners of the world to offer us some breathtaking portraits.
He has worked for magazines such as National Geographic, Der Spiegel, Le Monde, Lonely Planet, Times, or Grands Reportages.
Is It’s her Instagram account.
Eric Lafforgue
10. Ellen von Unwerth
Without a doubt, she is one of the greatest fashion photographers. Her photos are always groundbreaking, with a sexy and daring style that has earned the admiration of the best fashion magazines for years.
He has portrayed the most sought-after models and artists on the planet, including Claudia Schiffer, Eva Mendes, Madonna, Dita von Teese, Kate Moss, Eva Green, Christina Aguilera and Monica Belluci.
She is considered by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world of fashion.
Ellen von Unwerth
11. Lee Jeffries
lee jeffries is a photographer specializing in portraits of homeless people, with a raw style, with super contrasted and sharp black and white close-ups, he takes us on a dive through a world that is often invisible.
Do not miss his Instagram account.
lee jeffries
12. Berta Vicente Salas
this photographer he alternates his stays between Barcelona and Mexico. The portraits of him are heterogeneous, and highly artistic. He usually mixes black and white, color and numerous styles, but always with an intimate tone, full of sensitivity and a very personal style.
Berta Vicente Salas
Other portrait photographers you should know
There is life beyond Instagram, although it costs less and less to be outside this social network. Not surprisingly, it is the photography social network of the moment, and we photographers know it.
However, you will have to look for some of the great photographers of the moment outside of it, at least for the moment. He left you with 3 unmissable names in portraiture.
13. Cristina Garcia Rodero
Christina Garcia Rodero is a photographer whose work I always recommend knowing. Because her photographic trajectory is unique and amazing and her portraits are wonderful, with fascinating sensitivity, strength and beauty.
He has a professional career full of awards and recognitions, including World Press Photo, the Planeta Prize, the Godó Prize for photojournalism, the National Photography Prize, or the gold medal for merit in fine arts, among many others.
She has also been the first woman appointed Doctor Honoris Causa by the University of La Mancha, or the first Spanish person to be part of the prestigious Magnum agency.
14. Sebastian Salgado
Another photographer that we won’t get tired of recommending and who probably doesn’t need an introduction either, is Sebastião Salgado.. Born in Brazil, he has traveled the world portraying everything from conflicts to natural landscapes. His portraits are of a beauty difficult to match, moving and full of sensitivity.
He has published numerous books, including Genesis, Migrations, Workers, Africa, etc. and received numerous awards such as the World Press Photo, the Eugene Smith Award, the Prix de la Ville de Paris, he has been Photographer of the Year Award by the American Society of Magazine Photography, USA, etc.
Excerpt from the book “Genesis” by Sebastião Salgado
15. Sally Mann
Sally Mann She is one of the most renowned and internationally acclaimed American photographers for her unique style, her experimental techniques, or her ability to transmit through her images.
Among other works, one of the first was to portray the childhood of his children in a direct, raw and taboo-free way, which gave rise to his book “Immediate family«, a tribute to free childhood that received both praise and criticism from the most conservative sectors.
She is considered one of the best photographers of today, has been considered the best photographer in America by Time magazine, has been a finalist for the National Book Award, and was even nominated for an Emmy Award in 2008.
his latest book, A Thousand Crossingscollects a large part of his work, compiling his characteristic themes such as death, love, family and nature.
Sally Mann (Immediate family)
I hope you have found in this article inspiration for days 😉 and that you have found the style that most appeals to you. You will see that there are portrait photographers for all tastes, from the most classic and elegant to the most rabidly current and daring, including the most intimate.
Would you like to add any more? You can do it in comments, so other readers of the blog can benefit from the information. Well, and so do we.
I hope you liked it. If so, don’t forget to share it with whoever you think might be interested. Thank you and see you next time.