Photographers

Ellen von Unwerth (born 1954 in Frankfurt, Germany) is one of the most influential photographers in contemporary fashion, known for her bold, playful, and exuberantly sensual imagery. Before becoming a photographer, she spent a decade working as a successful fashion model in Paris, an experience that shaped her distinctive approach behind the camera. Her transition to photography began when she started photographing fellow models, quickly gaining recognition for her dynamic, high‑energy style that celebrated female confidence and personality.

Von Unwerth’s breakthrough came in 1989 with her iconic photographs of Claudia Schiffer for Guess, a campaign that helped launch both their careers internationally. She has since become one of fashion’s most sought‑after image‑makers, shooting for magazines such as Vogue, Vanity Fair, ELLE, i‑D, The Face, Interview, Paper, and countless international editions of major fashion publications. Her images—characterized by high contrast, glamour, humor, exuberance, and a distinctly female gaze—blend fashion, fantasy, and storytelling with a sense of spontaneity and empowerment.

Her commercial clients include Chanel, Dior, Miu Miu, Agent Provocateur, H&M, Jimmy Choo, L’Oréal, Ferragamo, Mercedes‑Benz, and Victoria’s Secret, among many others. Beyond still photography, she has directed short films, music videos, and commercial campaigns. Von Unwerth’s books, including *Snaps*, *Wicked*, *Couples*, *Fräulein*, *The Story of Olga*, and *Heimat*, have become essential references in contemporary fashion photography and visual culture.

Her exhibitions have been shown internationally at Fotografiska (Stockholm, New York, Tallinn), major galleries, museums, and cultural institutions. She has received numerous honors, including awards at the International Festival of Fashion Photography, the Lucie Award for Achievement in Fashion Photography, and recognition from the Royal Photographic Society. Today, Ellen von Unwerth remains one of the most iconic voices in fashion photography, celebrated for her empowering, theatrical, and exuberant celebration of women. She continues to live and work globally while producing new books and ongoing editorial and commercial projects.