The Fearlessness of Fashion and Portrait Photography

There is a long-standing tradition in the history of art, where portraiture reflects the subtle interaction between social and artistic conventions.  Portraits reflect social realities that combines conventions on behavior and appearance appropriate to the members of society at a particular time, as defined by categories of age, gender, race, physical beauty, occupation, civil and social status and class. 

Photography plays an integral role in the world of fashion. Photography creates a line of communication between the designers, models, brands, and the public. Three photographers that exhibit iconic fashion portraiture are Richard Phibbs, André Carrara and Giovanni Gastel. 

André Carrara claims that he was drawn to fashion photography out of his love for women.  He is known for his creative story-telling that extends beyond the image itself. For example,  from the series, ‘Belle Des Bois’, this image of Alzbeta O’Connor shows a prominent example of Carrara’s ability to capture an image which allows the viewer to question the subject matter: who is this woman, where is she, what is outside the frame of the image?

Another example of a fashion photographer is Richard Phibbs. His work is filled with imagery that elevates and magnifies certain elements captured.  Inthe work, Regency Romance, which can be seen here,  Phibbs celebrates the timelessness and elegance of the human nature through juxtaposing couture and the English countryside. 

Giovanni Gastel captures photographs are inspired by classic literature and theater and place an emphasis on memory and that focus on memory and the at emporal.  A prominent example is the image, Venaria Reale which provides a sense of surreal mystery while highlighting the vastness and extravagance of the former royal residence setting. This juxtaposition exploits the intrinsic idea that models and fashion exude high-class.   

As the latefashion photographer Helmut Newtons aid; “My job as a portrait photographer is to seduce, amuse and entertain.” 

With Fashion photography, the model in the portrait is secondary. With no restriction from the reality, the portrait in Fashion photography becomes the embodiment of the social realities and conventions.