I’ve been lucky enough to interview veteran British portrait photographer David Bailey a couple of times and meet him on a few subsequent occasions. The second time was for a magazine that acted as camera buying guide, meaning it was mandatory to ask all interviewees: “What camera are you using?”

“I don’t f-ing know,” Bailey responded, with that raspy laugh of his.

It taught me a lesson. If one of the most feted photographers of his generation didn’t know or care what he was shooting on – despite being publicly associated at the time with Olympus – why was I giving so much importance to kit, aside from the fact that my magazine had the word ‘camera’ in its title?

It was like I’d asked Constable or Rembrandt about the brush they used. It was so far beside the point that I’d missed the point entirely, despite knowing that my Editor expected me to pose the question, and my readers might possibly be interested in the answer.

So, because photographs and what they show and tell us is more important that the camera they were taken on, I really don’t think you need to own the latest and greatest full frame or medium format camera to be at the top of your photographic game. While nice to have or aspire to own, for me, they are inessential.

Naturally, the argument for owning the likes of a 100MP Fujifilm GFX series medium format mirrorless would be different if I were a commercial photographer and my images needed to be enlarged to billboard size without a noticeable quality drop. Or I routinely shot wide and needed to crop my images extensively to better highlight a certain aspect; again, while preventing any visible softening of the image. But that’s not the case.

As any photographer will attest, it’s as much about the idea in your head as the kit in your hands at any given time. One of the favorite images I’ve ever taken was snatched in seconds on a humble Panasonic travel zoom compact. By contrast, I’ve lumbered around with $5K mirrorless cameras, DSLRs, and expensive lenses and haven't shot anything photo-album-worthy.

Getting the best camera I can afford at the time and working with (and within) its quirks and limitations always seems to push my creativity further. Much further than having the biggest sensor and the sharpest glass at my disposal does.

Abbey Road has announced that legendary British photographer David Bailey CBE will be honoured with a one-off Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Abbey Road Music Photography Awards.

The ceremony will take place at Abbey Road on October 02, recognizing Bailey’s extraordinary contribution to music photography over 60 years and his enduring influence on visual culture.

Bailey, one of the most revered photographers of his generation, has shaped the way we see music and the artists behind it. "Everyone is going to take one great picture in their life, and hopefully I’ll do two, so I’ll have the edge," he has previously quipped. A statement long exceeded.

Emerging from London’s East End, David Bailey bought his first camera while serving in Singapore, before returning to London to assist established photographers, quickly establishing himself as a leading figure at Vogue.

However, while his fashion and celebrity portraiture cemented his reputation, music has always been central to his work.

Bailey’s early experience as a trumpet player informed his creative eye, enabling him to connect deeply with musicians across genres and generations; from jazz legends Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, and Dizzy Gillespie to rock and pop icons including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Bob Marley, David Bowie and Patti Smith, and later Britpop and hip-hop artists.

One defining moment came in 1965, when Bailey produced studio portraits of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, creating images that remain central to how The Beatles are visually remembered.

His early work with The Rolling Stones also stands out, from album covers to promotional images, capturing not only the band’s look but their raw musical energy.

Bailey’s signature style is minimalist, direct, often with stark backgrounds, tight framing and high contrast, which all brought out the character of his sitters as much as their public personas.

Bailey’s influence continues through exhibitions, including David Bailey’s Changing Fashion at the MOP in Spain, which explored his extensive archive of musician portraits spanning jazz, rock, punk, pop, and hip-hop. Earlier retrospectives, such as Bailey’s Stardust at the National Portrait Gallery, collected hundreds of his iconic works, demonstrating the impact of his vision on music and visual culture alike.

"Bailey’s photography broke boundaries with a dynamic, visceral and spontaneous style that was both defiant and pioneering," said Mark Robertson, Abbey Road’s director of marketing and creative,

"He turned his subjects into icons while revealing their true personality. That his work has remained relevant and inspirational for over six decades is extraordinary, and that’s why we wanted to celebrate his continuing contribution with this one-off special award."

The Lifetime Achievement Award promises to be a memorable celebration of Bailey’s unparalleled career, cementing his legacy as one of the most influential photographers of all time. In addition to honoring the master, this year's award winners will also be unveiled on October 02 – visit the Abbey Road Music Photography Awards website for more information.

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Worried you're getting on a bit, and there's a 'best before' date on your career? Well, there's an army of octogenarian photographers who will politely – or perhaps mischievously – prove you wrong. 

From global fashion shoots to humble village fêtes, some of the industry’s greats are still making remarkable work well into their eighth and ninth decades. Their secret? Curiosity, passion and an unshakable belief that there’s always another picture worth taking.

Take David Hurn, 89; arguably Wales’ most celebrated living photographer. The Magnum shooter's career began with the Hungarian Revolution in 1956, swept through the glamour of Sophia Loren and Sean Connery, and even landed him seven weeks with The Beatles, on the set of Hard Day's Night.

Now, he’s cracked social media, amassing over 82K followers and releasing the book David Hurn: On Instagram. Two new books are in the pipeline. 

Retirement? Apparently, not on his to-do list. And he's by no means alone.

David Bailey, 87, the man who defined London’s Swinging Sixties with his sharp, high-contrast portraits, is still working too, despite being diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2021. In recent years, Bailey has exhibited new work alongside his classic images, proving that his eye for composition is as razor-sharp as ever.

His latest book, Eighties, was released earlier this year and demonstrated, in the words of our report: "that great fashion photography is about more than trends, but about telling a story that endures". 

Across the Atlantic, Ralph Gibson, now 85, continues to exhibit and publish new work including his 2024 exhibition Sacred Land. Known for his fragmented compositions and mysterious narratives, he remains as dedicated as ever to exploring the dramatic potential of light, shadow and abstract form, proving that a singular artistic vision can be refined and maintained over a lifetime.

This is nothing new 

Nor is this a modern phenomenon: photographers were working late into their lives during the last century, too. 

Who could forget Imogen Cunningham (1883–1976), who not only kept working into her nineties but made ageing itself her subject? Her final project, After Ninety, was a series of intimate portraits of elderly people – dignified, humorous and unflinchingly honest – proving that perspective only deepens with time.

Similarly, Irving Penn (1917–2009) showed a relentless drive to refine and experiment in his final years. For example, in the 1990s he began experimenting with moving light, using a motorized fresnel stage light to create distortions in his images; a technique visible in his still life Wide Skull (1993).

So why do so many photographers keep on going? Well, I'd argue there’s a freedom that comes with decades behind the camera. Technical skills become instinctive. The fear of “getting it wrong” fades. What’s left is a direct, personal relationship with the subject; whether that’s a Hollywood star or a neighbour’s garden party.

It's also about patience. Older photographers know when to wait for the light, when to trust the moment, and when to break every rule they were ever taught. Experience breeds confidence, but it also breeds curiosity. That restless desire to see what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and what’s still worth documenting.

So if you’re in your twenties or thirties and already worrying about “making it” before you hit middle age, take heart. Your best work might still be decades ahead. Photography isn’t a sprint: it’s a lifelong conversation with the visual world. And age isn’t the enemy of creativity; it’s the sharpener of the lens.

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Some of the best photographers ever were shooting well into their later years. Take a look at some of the best books on photography for inspiration.

While photography is about freezing moments, it's often helpful to unfreeze the stories behind them. And these photography autobiographies provide just that.

From the death and destruction captured by Don McCullin to the intimate family portraits of Sally Mann, these fascinating books offer a rare glimpse into the lives, minds and motivations of those who have shaped the discipline.

Expect personal confessions, creative breakthroughs, and behind-the-scenes anecdotes that bring both the struggles and triumphs of a photographer’s life into sharp focus.

1. The Daybooks of Edward Weston – Edward Weston (1886–1958)

One of the masters of 20th-century photography, Edward Weston’s diaries were written between 1922 and 1934 but compiled and published posthumously in 1966. The Daybooks document the peak of his artistic development, including his iconic still lifes, nudes and landscapes, and provide a first-hand account of his creative process.

2. Eye to I: The Autobiography of a Photographer – Erwin Blumenfeld (1887–1969)

Erwin Blumenfeld wrote his autobiography in the 1950s, but it wasn’t published until 1979, years after his death. Eye to I captures the full arc of his life; from his early days in Berlin to working as a fashion photographer in Paris and New York. More broadly, it offers a unique posthumous portrait of a creative innovator reflecting on turbulent times.

3. An Autobiography – Ansel Adams (1902–1984)

In An Autobiography, landscape photography legend Ansel Adams traces his artistic journey from his early days as a pianist to his transformation into a master photographer and environmental activist. Written shortly before his death and published one year later, in 1985, this book captures the wisdom and reflections of a master photographer.

4. Portrait of Myself – Margaret Bourke-White (1904–1971)

Published in 1963, this autobiography was written near the end of American photojournalist Margaret Bourke-White’s career, after she'd been diagnosed with Parkinson’s. It’s both a retrospective of her groundbreaking achievements and a testament to her determination in the face of adversity.

5. A Choice of Weapons – Gordon Parks (1912–2006)

Released in 1966, this memoir marked the mid-point of Gordon Parks’ extraordinary career as a photographer, filmmaker and writer. He'd already made history by becoming Life magazine’s first black photographer, and used this book to chronicle his early struggles against racism and poverty; choosing the camera as his “weapon” for social change.

6. To Smile in Autumn – Gordon Parks (1912–2006)

Published in 1979, Gordon Parks' second memoir came just as he was expanding his creative work beyond photography into film and literature. Reflecting on his later career, he thoughtfully examines the successes and challenges of being a black artist navigating mid-20th-century America, while continuing to advocate for social change.

7. In Retrospect – Eve Arnold (1912–2012)

Released in 1995, In Retrospect came as celebrated photojournalist Eve Arnold looked back over four decades of work with Magnum Photos. Written late in her career, it does a stand-out job of reflecting her experiences photographing cultural icons and major historical moments.

8. Slightly Out of Focus – Robert Capa (1913–1954)

Written in 1947, just two years after the end of the Second World War, this memoir vividly recounts the Hungarian-American's experiences as a war photographer. It’s a must-read account of a man considered by many to be the greatest combat and adventure photographer in history.

9. Revelations – Diane Arbus (1923–1971)

Published posthumously in 2003, Revelations is both a retrospective and a deeply personal window into the life and work of Diane Arbus. The book combines her haunting photographs with diary entries, letters, and other intimate writings that reveal the complex mind behind her groundbreaking portraits of marginalised communities.

10. Autobiography – Helmut Newton (1920–2004)

Helmut Newton’s Autobiography was released in 2003, just one year before his death. It’s a candid and often mischievous reflection on his long career in fashion and erotic photography. Written during the twilight of the German-Australian photographer's life, he pulls no punches in discussing the people and events that shaped his provocative style.

11. An Autobiography – Richard Avedon (1923–2004)

First published in 1993, An Autobiography was released during the later part of  Richard Avedon's career, as he transitioned from fashion work to more personal, introspective projects such as In the American West. It's as much a retrospective of his images as it is a narrative of his life and insight into his artistic mindset.

12. The Lines of My Hand – Robert Frank (1924–2019)

Originally published in 1972, this memoir came during a transitional period in the Swiss-American's career, when he was moving from photography into filmmaking. Bringing together his incredible images with some fascinating personal reflections, the book is an intoxicating visual diary of a restless creative mind.

13. Pictures and People: A Search for Visual Truth and Social Justice – Joan Liffring-Zug Bourret (1929–2022)

Joan Liffring-Zug Bourret was an American photographer, book publisher and civil rights activist. In 1951, she became the first woman to photograph herself giving birth. Published in 2019, three years before her death, this memoir encapsulates a career that was dedicated to capturing rural communities and advocating for social justice.

14. Unreasonable Behaviour – Don McCullin (1935–)

Celebrated for his work everywhere from Vietnam to Northern Ireland, Don McCullin is perhaps the world's most celebrated war photographer. In Unreasonable Behaviour, he reflects on the personal toll this has taken on him, from near-death experiences to the emotional weight of documenting humankind at its worst. Published in 1990, when McCullin had already cemented his reputation, it serves both as a gripping memoir and a meditation on the ethics of photojournalism.

15. Look Again – David Bailey (1938–)

One of the key figures of Swinging London in the 1960s, David Bailey revolutionised the art of portrait photography with his pared-down style. In Look Again, published in 2020, he offers a late-life take on his personal journey from working-class East London to becoming a fashion-world legend, working with cultural icons such as Mick Jagger, Jean Shrimpton and Kate Moss.

16. Memories of a Dog – Daido Moriyama (1938–)

Daidō Moriyama is a Japanese photographer best known for his arresting black-and-white street photography. This memoir, first published in 1984, was written when he was already a key figure in Japanese street photography, and captures his raw, unfiltered approach to both life and art.

17. Taking My Time – Joel Meyerowitz (1938–)

This career-spanning memoir, published in 2012, came when Joel Meyerowitz had become firmly established as a pioneer of American street photography. It’s both a retrospective of his work and a personal reflection on how his artistic voice developed from the 1960s onwards.

18. Seen Behind the Scene – Mary Ellen Mark (1940-2015)

Mary Ellen Mark was an American photographer best known for capturing people on the margins of society, with a keen interest in both subcultures and social issues. Published in 2008, Seen Behind the Scene is a late-career reflection on her work in Hollywood and beyond, as well as offering a deep dive into her photography process.

19. Mama Said There’d Be Days Like This: My Life in the Jazz World – Val Wilmer (1941– )

Released in 1989, Val Wilmer’s memoir came after decades of documenting jazz and blues culture. It’s a thrilling and engaging reflection on the British photographer's career up to that date, as well as covering her work as a writer and cultural historian.

20. From My Land to the Planet – Sebastião Salgado (1944–2025)

Published in 2014, this memoir reflects on Brazilian photographer Sebastião Salgado’s decades-long career as a documentarian of social issues, migration and the environment. Written after the completion of his famed Genesis series, it combines a twin focus on both his personal history and his environmental activism.

21. Annie Leibovitz at Work – Annie Leibovitz (1949–)

Eight years after being declared a Living Legend by The Library of Congress, portrait photographer Annie Leibovitz released this book in 2008, looking back on decades of work with the likes of Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair and Vogue. It's full of fascinating insights into how Leibovitz approaches assignments and iconic shoots, while also reflecting on her creative evolution over time.

22. Hold Still – Sally Mann (1951–)

Famed for her large-format black-and-white photographs, Sally Mann published this memoir in 2015. It came at a reflective point in her career, decades after the controversy surrounding her naturalistic nudes of children in Immediate Family. In the book, she looks back on her Southern upbringing, her family, and the moral complexities of her work.

23. Road to Seeing – Dan Winters (1962–)

First released in 2014, Road to Seeing chronicles Dan Winters’ path from aspiring artist to one of the most respected portrait photographers of his generation. Written around the middle of his career, it does a great job of blending autobiography with lessons on developing a creative eye.

24. It’s What I Do – Lynsey Addario (1973–)

Released in 2015, It’s What I Do chronicles Lynsey Addario's career as one of the world’s leading conflict photographers. Written while she was still covering major global events, it reflects on both her early career and the personal sacrifices required to work in war zones.

First released in 2014, Road to Seeing chronicles Dan Winters’ path from aspiring artist to one of the most respected portrait photographers of his generation. Written around the middle of his career, it does a great job of blending autobiography with lessons on developing a creative eye.

25. There and Back: Photographs from the Edge – Jimmy Chin (1973–)

Published in 2021, this memoir captures Jimmy Chin at the height of his career as a world-class adventure photographer and Academy Award-winning filmmaker. There and Back looks back on decades of risk-taking expeditions and also delves into the philosophy behind capturing the extremes of nature.

David Bailey is not only one of the best photographers ever, with his iconic fashion and portrait images – he defined the creative and cultural revolution of the Sixties.

Now, the Marta Ortega Pérez (MOP) Foundation presents a major exhibition celebrating his legacy, featuring over 140 of his photographs, including never-before-exhibited works.

Bailey's name resonates with anyone interested in fashion photography or 20th century culture – and if you know his work, you're likely a fan already. I certainly am.

He famously started breaking the conventional photographic rules early in his career, boldly following his own artistic vision. More than just a photographer, he became a celebrity in his own right and a master of visual language. His work changed the face of fashion photography, portraiture, and culture.

David Bailey's Changing Fashion opens June 28 2025, at the MOP Foundation's exhibition space in A Coruña, Galicia, Spain.

This must-see show takes you on a journey through the glamor and edge of the Sixties and Seventies, and through the lens of a true innovator. The exhibition is on display until September 14 2025.

David Bailey's Changing Fashion also features his legendary 1965 Box of pin-ups – a portfolio including 36 influential cultural figures featuring the likes of Mick Jagger, Rudolf Nureyev, Jean Shrimpton, Michael Caine, Cecil Beaton and, controversially at the time, the notorious London gangsters, Reggie and Ronnie Kray.

You will also experience a newly commissioned film that reimagines Box of pin-ups, and a special takeaway publication, inspired by Ritz – the cult celebrity and fashion magazine that Bailey co-founded with David Litchfield in 1976.

"Without question, David Bailey is a master of a visual language that is uniquely his own," says MOP Foundation president, Marta Ortega Pérez.

"From the early days, he consistently backed his own vision, breaking the rules of fashion photography and inventing new ones at will. No one moved with greater ease through the worlds of Sixties music, fashion and style.

"I am thrilled that with this exhibition, we have been able, once again, to champion world-class photography at our space in A Coruña. This exhibition captures a fleeting golden moment that utterly changed the history of style, photography and culture."

For more information about David Bailey's Changing Fashion, visit the MOP Foundation website.

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David Bailey’s Eighties is a stunning new photography book release from Taschen, capturing the essence of one of fashion’s most unforgettable decades. Bailey’s photographs have long stood as a symbol of the power and glamour of fashion, and in this book, he revisits the 1980s, offering a lens into a time when fashion was bold, extravagant, and full of energy. This book not only celebrates the fashion of the time but also the people who defined it.

The 1980s seem like a time that’s both distant and only yesterday, with its cultural imprint still resonating through today’s modern world. It’s hard to believe the decade began over 40 years ago, yet its echoes are undeniable, whether in the power suits, the glam-rock icons, or the continued love for big hair and extravagant silhouettes.

Bailey’s Eighties is a time capsule that brings it all back, immortalizing models and icons like Grace Jones, Cindy Crawford, Princess Diana, Jerry Hall, Karl Lagerfeld, and more. Bailey’s ability to capture them with such grace, power, and glamour is a combination that feels timeless. These images are more than just photographs, they are a celebration of an era.

Bailey’s work is often considered the epitome of fashion photography, and in this collection, it becomes clear why. With a combination of studio and location shoots, his images create an engaging visual story that makes you stop, look, and then look again. The clothes are, of course, beautiful, but it’s the emotion, the energy, and the personality that Bailey manages to bring into focus that elevate these images beyond the typical.

What’s remarkable about Eighties is how fresh it feels, despite the passage of time. In some ways, you might expect fashion and photography from that era to feel dated, but Bailey’s images hold up, and they are just as strong today. He tells a story through every shot, making his work about the people and the era, which in turn, elevates the garments even further. Bailey’s work has always been timeless and its relevance continues today, perhaps more than ever, proving that great fashion photography is about more than trends, but about telling a story that endures.

Bailey has been an inspiration to generations of photographers, and his work continues to be as influential as it was when it first graced the pages of publications like Vogue and Tatler. Eighties is a reminder of that magic, a magic Bailey himself explains in his foreword.

"The eighties turned out to be magic", Bailey describes. "We had learnt the problems of the sixties and seventies. The magic of the eighties came as a surprise and possibly turned out to be the most amazing time in London to lead the world in fashion".

Priced at $125 / £100, Eighties by David Bailey is available from Taschen and offers an essential look at one of the most dynamic decades in fashion. This book is not just for photography and fashion lovers, it’s for anyone who appreciates the power of great photography. Bailey’s work stands as a defining example of what happens when fashion photography is done right, timeless, engaging, and ever-relevant.

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Industry-leading photography and art book publisher Taschen has just launched its 'Taschen Sale,' offering up to 75% off selected books from February 6 to February 9.

Sales like this don't come around very often, and if, like myself, you are an avid collector of photography books, this beats the Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day deals combined. Photography books are a greater investment in my photography development than a new lens or camera, and the work published by Taschen is a constant inspiration.

Renowned works by photography icons such as David Bailey, Peter Lindbergh, Annie Leibovitz, and Sebastião Salgado are all available at a discounted rate from the Taschen website. Below, I've picked out some highlights that will almost certainly make it into my checkout basket!

Taschen publishes some of the best coffee table books of all time and this sale brings the price point down significantly. There are many books I haven't mentioned here that are available in several sizes and formats, which also help to bring the price down and lower the barrier to entry.

Collecting photography books can be an expensive hobby and a hurdle for many, this is a fantastic opportunity to start off your collection today!

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Arguably the Rolls Royce of photography gear, Billingham is celebrating its 50th birthday this year.

If you've been in photography for a while or are just starting out, the best camera bags can certainly take the strain off your neck and shoulders if you're lugging around camera gear all day – but there are camera bags and then there are camera bags.

No matter your skill level or experience, we bet you've heard of Billingham and seen them used by some of the most iconic photographers, including the likes of Lord Lichfield and David Bailey.

Now a renowned camera bag manufacturer, Billingham had very humble beginnings as a country wear brand in the lifestyle market. Here is the story the legendary brand…

Billingham was born 50 years ago this year and has become an iconic name in photography. The story started in 1973 when newly married young couple, Ros and Martin Billingham, started a business making fishing bags to help make ends meet.

The British company had a very lucky start as Lord Lichfield, world-famous photographer and cousin of The Queen, stopped by to see Martin and Ros and was so impressed that he returned later with photography legends Terence Donovan and David Bailey.

Donovan challenged Lichfield that if he could do a certain number of press-ups, he would buy Lichfield a System 1 bag (known as the 550 today). Lichfield won the bet, Donovan duly bought the bag and handed it over to his lordship.

Today, Billingham remains a quintessentially British company and manufactures in Cradley Heath, in the West Midlands. It remains a family run business, with youngest son Harry being co-director of the company, and some of the staff have been working at Billingham for decades.

Billingham is now an international name, on the shoulders of the most famous photographers around the world, with a slightly higher price tag than when it first started – but it remains a British company with British values of delivering quality craftsmanship. As big Billingham fans, here are our top picks…

The best Billingham bags

Billingham Hadley Pro

Billingham is known for its premium, classy camera bags, and the Hadley Pro is a gorgeous example. Though it's a shoulder bag it can take quite a bit of kit; if you have a mind to, you can squeeze in a full-frame DSLR with a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens and a 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom (without tripod collar) and a flashgun. You may not want to (just think of your poor shoulder!) but you can.

Of course, if you are carrying a lot of kit, the optional shoulder pad will be worth the investment to ease the weight a little, and there are also additional 'Avea' side pockets available. FYI, that is real leather on the straps, so vegans and animal lovers will want to steer clear of this one. 

Billingham Eventer Mk II

The Billingham Eventer MkII has a hand-crafted, heritage look that’s just beautiful to look at and is beautifully put together, too. Its tall, briefcase-style dimensions make it easy to carry and pack away, but while it does allow for longer lenses it means you’ll probably have to double-stack a lot of your kit. 

Despite its many clever design touches, the Eventer MkII lacks smaller compartments and pockets for cables, cards, and batteries, and it’s a little narrow for a pro DSLR or a camera with a grip fitted. And then, of course, there’s the price, which puts it out of reach of most photographers. On paper it can be hard to see what’s so special about the Eventer MkII, but it all comes together when you use it.

Billingham 72

The Billingham 72 is one of the smallest bags in the manufacturer's range – designed for compact or mirrorless cameras with a lens attached, this handy carry bag is made with two overlapping layers of foam to protect the corners of heavier cameras, making sure that your equipment is well protected during transport.

This bag features an adjustable and removable shoulder strap, along with a front cockpit pocket for batteries, memory cards, and those handy optical cleaning cloths. 

Made with three layers of waterproof Fibrenyte and vegetable tanned leather and brass, this is the ultimate accessory for anyone looking for a camera bag that looks great, but also offers great protection while your camera is in transit.

Billingham 445

One of its most popular range of bags, the 5-series is unmistakably Billingham: classic, well-thought-through design, and hand-crafted quality. 

The 445 shares the same features as the bigger 555, only their size varies, so whether you are carrying 1 or 3 camera setups, plus extra lenses and flash, the 445 will do the job.

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David Bailey CBE is one of the most famous names in photography worldwide, and now for the first time ever, a rare collection of Polaroid prints from his 63-year career is going on sale to collectors.

The subjects are as renowned as the photographer himself and include Princess Diana, Cara Delevingne and self-portraits of David Bailey himself, as well as still-life compositions, and instant snapshots.

The Polaroids will be on sale at Dellasposa Gallery in London, but interestingly, collectors won't know which Polaroid they're getting, as each one is sealed inside an envelope signed by the photographer himself.

David Bailey is one of several artists who captured polaroids; a legendary group including Andy Warhol, David Hockney and Ansel Adams.

The rise of instant Polaroid photography in the 1950s gave Bailey countless opportunities to capture the icons he met. Of course, the three-by-four-inch Polaroid image is now iconic itself – there's a reason that the best instant cameras are back in fashion and rising in popularity today.

For collectors who want to own an original print by Bailey, a Polaroid could be the easiest and cheapest way to do that.

About David Bailey

David Bailey CBE was born on January 2, 1938 in North Leyton, East London.

He bought his first camera whilst posted in Singapore with the Royal Air Force, and was said to have become inspired to become a photographer after seeing Henri Cartier-Bresson’s photograph, ‘Srinagar, Kashmir’.

David Bailey went on to work as an assistant to fashion photographer John French, soon to strike out on his own as a portrait photographer. 

In 1965, he published David Bailey’s Box of Pin-Ups, a collection of 36 prints, now widely acknowledged as defining an era and shaping the future of photography.

He was prolific in the 1970s and ’80s, capturing portraits of artists such as Alice Cooper, Patti Smith, David Bowie, Elton John and Cat Stevens – as well as Oasis siblings Noel and Liam Gallagher.

 David Bailey is also a filmmaker, has directed hundreds of TV commercials, and won a Lion d’Or at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival for his Greenpeace PSA, Meltdown. His six-decade-long career has seen him release over 46 books.

Other David Bailey exhibitions

Bailey: Vision and Sound is currently at the Dellasposa Gallery, a celebratory exhibition of David Bailey's portraits of legendary musicians over the past six decades. It will be on show until January 28, 2023. Check out the online viewing room for the exhibition.

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David Bailey, one of the most legendary photographers of all time, has revealed that he has been living with vascular dementia for about three years.

Bailey shot to fame as a celebrity fashion and portrait photographer in the Sixties, and found mainstream recognition in the Seventies as the face of Olympus cameras in the UK, thanks to a series of popular television commercials. Sadly, however, he was diagnosed with dementia around the time he turned 80 years old. 

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"I've got vascular dementia," he told British outlet The Times. "I was diagnosed about three years ago." According to the British Heart Foundation, life expectancy is around five years after symptoms present. 

In typical fashion for the fiery figure, though, he dismissed the condition as a mere inconvenience – and even found a humorous upside, while also pointing out that it hasn't hindered his photography in any way.

"It's a fucking bore but it's just one of those things. In some ways it's good: I can see a film and forget it, then enjoy it again two years later. And it doesn't seem to affect my work at all."

Vascular dementia is caused by issues with the body supplying blood to the brain, often caused by strokes. After Alzheimer's Disease, it is the second most common type of dementia (indeed, the two conditions often coincide).  

It affects cognitive function, including mood, memory and behavior. Continued deterioration can in some cases result in death from conditions such as heart disease, stroke or infection.

Bailey has kept working despite his diagnosis, though. Last year he released a new book, Look Again, which was his first ever memoir. "This is the first biography I’ve ever done. Probably the last," he said at the time. "It’s taken me 83 years to get to this stage of my life, so it’s about time I committed myself."

In spite of his condition, his age and even the global pandemic, the iconic photographer has maintained his famously sharp sense of humor. "I only realized I was old a couple of years ago, and it came as a great shock," he told The Times. "Eighty-three. Fucking hell."

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One of the all-time great photographers, David Bailey, was asked for his number one tip for taking a great photograph. His answer? It's gotta be the shoes.

"I don’t know, really. I suppose it gets down, it’s basic – it’s comfortable shoes. As long as your shoes are comfortable, the rest of you is quite comfortable. So, comfortable shoes."

• Read more: 50 best photographers ever

The icon was being interviewed about about his new book, Look Again, which is an autobiography offering an eye-opening and candid look at the "outrageously eventful life" of one of the most influential photographers of the Sixties, and indeed of all time.

This is the first time that the 83-year-old Bailey has produced a memoir. "This is the first biography I’ve ever done. Probably the last. It’s taken me 83 years to get to this stage of my life, so it’s about time I committed myself."

Ghost-written by James Fox (who also penned Life, the autobiography of Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards), the book is a fascinating look back at Bailey's past adventures and misadventures – and, notably, features the first time that the photographer and his famous muse, Jean Shrimpton, collectively share and discuss their influential history. 

In promoting the book, Bailey gave an interview to British retailer Waterstones where he discussed a number of subjects, including how photography has changed since he started. 

"I don’t think photography’s changed, I think people’s attitude to the camera has changed. People are much more used to the camera now; years ago when I first started, if you said you were going to photograph somebody, they’d put on their best clothes, and have their hair combed, and they’d have a brush down. And it was an event to have your picture taken. 

"Now it’s just something that happens every day. I mean every day someone’s photographing something with an iPhone. So I think the thing that’s changed photography more than anything is the iPhone."

He also shared that the historical figures he would most like to have photographed are Che Guevara, Marilyn Monroe and Julius Caesar – a name that's not often mentioned when photographers are asked this weathered old question.

Look Again by David Bailey is available now in paperback or hardback from $26.00 /  £20.00. 

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Exploring the lives of photographers through film isn't just great entertainment. It also offers a captivating glimpse into the artistry, struggles and triumphs of these visual storytellers. From biographical dramas to insightful documentaries, these works of cinematic genius not only showcase photographers' work but also delve into the personal narratives that shape their vision. 

That's why we've pulled together a curated list of the 28 best films that celebrate the lives and legacies of renowned photographers. These films highlight the intersection of photography and storytelling, revealing how images can capture profound moments in history and evoke deep emotional responses. 

Whether it's the gritty realities faced by war photographers or the glamorous yet challenging world of fashion photography, each of these films provides a unique perspective on the craft. Meanwhile, for more films where people carry cameras, check out our list of Top 25 movies about fictional photographers.

Dramatized biopics

01. Lee

Directed by Ellen Kuras, this 2023 movie tells the story of war journalist Lee Miller, who went from a career in modelling to chronicle the events of World War Two for Vogue magazine. The film, which stars Kate Winslet and Marion Cotillard took eight years to make; at one point Winslet had to pay the entire cast and crew's salaries for two weeks. It made its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival last September and will be released theatrically on 13 September this year.

02. The Killing Fields (1991)

This British-made drama focuses on the real-life experiences of two photojournalists, Cambodian Dith Pran (1942-2008) and American Sydney Schanberg (1934-2016), during the rise of Cambodia's Khmer Rouge. It uses a more stark and documentary-style of film-making than a typical Hollywood movie, and is all the more emotionally engaging and disturbing because of it. Plus, without giving too much away, there’s a scene around the development of a piece of film that anyone from the analogue era will find both heart-stopping and fascinating.

03. Photographing Fairies (1997)

Everyone knows that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote the Sherlock Holmes novels, but did you know he also believed in fairies? That’s because he was duped by a series of five fake photographs taken by Elsie Wright and Frances Griffiths, two cousins who lived in Cottingley, near Bradford, England. This movie takes "inspiration" from this true-life story, rather than relating it particularly accurately, but it's an entertaining romp nonethless. And more broadly, it does a good job in showing how photographic manipulation is nothing new, nor specific to the digital age.

04. Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus (2006) 

American photographer Diane Arbus (1923-1971) was chiefly known for her work documenting marginalised groups such as dwarfs, giants, transgender people, nudists, and circus performers. This drama based on her life is thoroughly entertaining and moving stuff, and Nicole Kidman is terrific in the main role. Don’t treat it as fact, though: the story is mainly fictional, and the Diane Arbus estate refused to give their approval as a consequence.

05. Double Exposure: The Story of Margaret Bourke-White (1989) 

Born in 1904, Margaret Bourke-White was both the first foreign photographer to take pictures of the Soviet five-year plan and America’s first female war photojournalist. She even provided the cover image for the first-ever issue of Life magazine. Farrah Fawcett gives an excellent (and award-winning) performance as Bourke-White in this well-paced biopic, which intertwines the story of her career with that of her rocky relationship with her second husband.

06. Everlasting Moments (2008)

Everlasting Moments is a Swedish drama based on the true story of Maria Larsson, an uneducated, working-class woman who, in 1911, won a camera in a lottery and went on to become a professional photographer. Narrated by her daughter, it's a classic tale of triumph over adversity and doggedly pursuing what you love; all the more affecting for being based on a real person.

07. The Bang Bang Club (2010)

The Bang Bang Club was a group of four conflict photographers active within the townships of South Africa between 1990 and 1994: Kevin Carter, Greg Marinovich, Ken Oosterbroek, and João Silva. This Canadian-South African movie adapts an account of their work written by two of its members, and depicts the extremes they went to to capture their pictures. While it's been criticised for not delving deeper into the politics of the era, as a dramatisation of the realities of life as a conflict photographer it’s a stunning achievement.

08. We'll Take Manhattan (2012)

This British movie relates the real-life affair between photographer David Bailey (Aneurin Barnard) and model Jean Shrimpton (Karen Gillan), while on a one-week assignment in New York for Vogue in 1962. The film-makers went to great pains to recreate the photos from the original shoot, using a combination of props, and computer-generated imagery. And the film also nails the central narrative, showing effectively how the pair's efforts turned the staid world of fashion photography upside-down.

09. Life (2015)

This biopic of Dennis Stock (1928-2010), a photographer for Life magazine, focuses on his friendship with the actor James Dean (played by Dane DeHaan). With Robert Pattinson in the lead role, this is a highly personal film that highlights the tension between photographing someone on a job and treating them as a friend, two things that can often come into conflict with each other. 

10. Fotograf (2015)

Born in Prague in 1935, Jan Saudek is one of the most famous photographers his nation has ever produced. Fotograf is based on his life and work, but only loosely; it's far from a straight biopic. Instead this Czech-made ‘dramedy’, which stars Karel Roden and was co-written by Saudek himself, strides a fine line between veracity and irony. In doing so, it avoids the heavy-handed plodding that biopics are typically prone to, and the result is quirky, yet satisfying.

11. Eadweard (2015)

This Canadian indie tells the tale of Eadweard Muybridge (1830-1904), the pioneering photographer who in 1872 famously took 12 still images of a horse galloping and combined them in a prototype film reel, to prove that all four feet leave the ground at the same time. Muybridge was also well-known for shooting nude and deformed subjects, and for killing his wife's lover, so there's plenty of true-life material to ensure this biopic never flags. Michael Eckland gives an excellent performance in the title role, too, and while the weird score and offbeat humour can be irritating, overall this is a very entertaining and informative watch. 

12. Mapplethorpe (2018)

American photographer Robert Mapplethorpe (1946-1989) was one of the first to convince curators that photography could be considered art. But what he'll inevitably be best remembered for is the way incorporated male genitalia, homoeroticism and BDSM subculture into his work, in a way that still shocks today. So be warned: there are a lot of penises in this biopic, currently touring film festivals, which stars The Crown actor Matt Smith as the controversial artist. That doesn’t, however, deflect the film from efficiently dramatising the main landmarks in Mapplethorpe’s life, from his youthful relationship with Patti Smith to his untimely death from AIDS. Most admirably, it avoids oversentimentalising a man that even friends and admirers said could be "difficult". 

Documentary biopics

13. Uncropped (2023) 

Directed by D.W. Young, Uncropped delves into the illustrious career of James Hamilton, a photographer who has masterfully chronicled America's cultural history over the past four decades, and traces the evolution and decline of alternative print journalism in that nation. The film highlights Hamilton's stunning visual documentation of New York City's vibrant and gritty essence through intimate conversations with notable figures like Wes Anderson and Thurston Moore. A must-see for anyone interested in the intersection of art, media, and cultural history.

14. All the Beauty and the Bloodshed (2022) 

This Oscar-nominated documentary offers a powerful and intimate portrait of renowned photographer Nan Goldin. Directed by Laura Poitras, it masterfully interweaves Goldin's groundbreaking artistic career with her passionate activism against the Sackler family's role in the opioid crisis. Along the way, the film provides a deep dive into Goldin's life and work, showcasing her raw, unflinching photographs that documented LGBTQ+ subcultures and the AIDS epidemic. 

15. The Way I See It (2020)

Directed by Dawn Porter, this documentary provides an intimate look at the Obama presidency through the lens of former chief official White House photographer Pete Souza. The film highlights Souza's journey from a non-political photographer to a visual chronicler of history, featuring iconic images like Obama bending down for a young boy to touch his hair. It also explores Souza's transformation into a photo-activist in the Trump era, using his archive to provide pointed commentary on the current administration.

16. Helmut Newton: Frames from the Edge (1989)

Known for his erotic images of tall, blond and big-breasted women, Helmut Newton (1920-2004) is one of the most iconic names in the history of fashion and advertising photography. This documentary, filmed while the German-Australian was in his sixties, follows him across shoots in LA, to Paris, Monte-Carlo and Berlin. It's a fun romp throughout and never takes its subject too seriously; in fact, it’s as much a document of the gaudy excesses of the 1980s fashion industry as an insightful look behind a photographer’s lens.

17. Richard Avedon: Darkness and Light (1995)

Richard Avedon (1923-2004) was a portrait photographer who revolutionised the worlds of fashion and advertising photography in the second half of the 20th century. This solid documentary, from the PBS 'American Masters' series, takes you through his life and career through interviews, celebrity comments and original footage. Highlights include Avedon’s stories of how Marilyn Monroe “freely danced” in his studio for hours and how, in 1952, Charlie Chaplin called him out of the blue and popped round for a visit.

18. Henri Cartier-Bresson: The Impassioned Eye (2003)

One of the most important figures in the medium’s history, Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908-2004) was a frustrated French painter who pioneered the genre of street photography, and famous defined the discipline as “capturing a decisive moment”. Filmed shortly before his death, this documentary sees the notoriously press-shy artist review his impressive portfolio of iconic images, from Gandhi's funeral to the fall of China, as historians and colleagues explore his impact and influence on others. 

19. William Eggleston: In the Real World (2005)

One of the first in the profession to legitimise colour photography as an artistic medium, William Eggleston has been a dividing figure, not least for his groundbreaking 1976 show at New York's MoMA, described as “the most hated show of the year". This documentary follows him on trips to Kentucky, Los Angeles, New York City and Memphis, where he takes pictures on the streets and in local stores. Mumbling throughout, and frequently at odds at his interviewer, Eggleston is resistant to intellectualising or even analysing his work, but just seeing this master photographer walk, talk and shoot is a treat in its own right.

20. Smash His Camera (2010)

Born in 1931, Ronald Edward Galella, aka Ron Galella, is one of history’s most controversial photographers. Dubbed "the Godfather of the U.S. paparazzi culture" by Time magazine, he's taken more than three million photographs of public figures and gained notoriety through his feuds with Jacqueline Onassis and Marlon Brando. Although this award-winning documentary pulls its punches on the ethics of his trade, it's still an enjoyable look behind the lens of one of the industry's most colourful characters.  

21. Somewhere to Disappear (2010)

Based in Minneapolis, Alec Soth is an American photographer known for documenting life and landscapes in the midwestern states. This documentary follows along as he embarks on his ‘Broken Manual’ project, about men who are trying to disappear from society by living in places like a cave or a desert shelter. Steering a careful path between empathy and voyeurism, it’s all beautifully shot, while the quiet, meditative nature of the narrative is perfect for its often disturbing subject matter.

22. McCullin (2012)

Donald (aka Don) McCullin is a British photojournalist famed for his images of conflict in places like Berlin, Cyprus, Congo, Biafra, Vietnam, Cambodia, Lebanon and the United States. This conventional yet informative documentary features extensive interviews with the photographer and his Sunday Times editor Harold Evans, both of whom speak plainly and frankly about everything from McCullin’s approach to composition to the ethics of his profession. 

23. Bill Cunningham New York (2012)

Bill Cunningham (1929-2016), a fashion photographer for The New York Times, was known far and wide for his candid and street photography. This profile shows him working in the studio, in the office and at home, and includes interviews with friends and subjects such as Tom Wolfe, David Rockefeller, Brooke Astor and Vogue’s Anna Wintour. Full of fun and wit, this is an uplifting film that perfectly encapsulate Cunningham’s deep passion for his calling.

24. Finding Vivian Maier (2013)

Few people ever saw the street photography of Vivian Maier (1926-2009) in her lifetime. But over 100,000 images by the New York nanny were uncovered after her death, and she is now considered one of the 20th century’s greatest photographers. This Oscar-nominated documentary tells the riveting story of this post-mortem discovery and features never-before-seen photographs and films, as well as interviews with people who thought they knew her.

25. The Salt of the Earth (2014)

Brazilian Sebastião Salgado is one of the most revered names in modern photojournalism. This documentary, directed by Wim Wenders and Salgado’s son Juliano, traces the timeline of his life, beginning with his exile from Brazil and his transition from economist to photographic artist. From the Ethiopian famine to Rwandan genocide, his images are often not for the faint-hearted, but the film-makers strike a good balance between a despairing and hopeful message in this tribute to a man whose work inspires journalists the world over.

26. War Photographer (2001)

Born in 1948, James Nachtwey is a US photojournalist who's been awarded the Overseas Press Club's Robert Capa Gold Medal five times, along with two World Press Photo awards. This Swiss documentary follows him as he travels to conflict zones around the world. Simply watching the man at work would be enough to engage most viewers, but this documentary goes beyond just explaining his process, and digs deep into Nachtwey’s psyche, as he responds to challenging questions about the ethics and emotions surrounding his work.

27. Alfred Stieglitz: The Eloquent Eye (2001)

Alfred Stieglitz (1864-1946) was an American photographer who was pivotal in making photography an accepted art form, both through his own work and the New York galleries he ran. This thoroughly researched PBS documentary traces the career and influence of the man whose work was described by Edward Steichen as “like none ever made by any other photographer”. Along it way, you get the chance to see not just his most famous pictures but also his lesser-known images; from early images of European peasant life to views of New York’s skyscrapers seen from his window.

28. Annie Leibowitz: Life Through a Lens (2008)

Born in Conneticut in 1949, Anna-Lou ‘Annie’ Leibovitz is possibly the world’s most famous portrait photographer. This documentary, directed by her sister Barbara Leibovitz, traces the influences that have shaped her, from childhood to her transition from Rolling Stone to Vanity Fair, to later personal relationships including motherhood. Although the most negative parts of her story (such as her drug addiction) are skirted over, this is still a fascinating look at a tumultuous, but ultimately triumphant, career in photography. 

29. Guest of Cindy Sherman (2009)

Born in 1954, US photographer Cindy Sherman is best known for her work subverting the stereotypes of women in media. Rather than a straight biopic, though, this film focuses on the ill-fated relationship between Sherman and Paul H-O, a star of cable-access TV. If you’re looking for an antidote to overly sentimentalised or simplified documentaries, and want to see something a bit more down to earth and complex, this is an entertaining (if sometimes excrutiating) watch.

Read more: 

Top 25 movies about fictional photographers
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Wouldn't it be great if you could spend every weekend browsing a famous photographer's work in a gallery, or by leafing through a beautifully printed retrospective of their best images?

Sadly, time, budget and distance are often against us. But we can still get oodles of insight and inspiration from some of our best living photographers by following their posts on Instagram. 

In this article, we've brought together our favourite Insta feeds from some of the planet's greatest photographers. Covering a wide range of styles and disciplines, each of these accounts is regularly updated, creatively curated, and utterly addictive... in a good way, of course! 

01. David Bailey 

• @bailey_studio 
• Fashion and portrait photographer 
• 46.8K followers

If you ask the average person to name a famous photographer, they’ll almost certainly say "David Bailey". You don't get much more famous than that.

Born and raised in East London, Bailey began photographing for Vogue in 1960, and his fashion work and celebrity portraiture quickly became known for its stark backgrounds and dramatic lighting effects, as well as breaking down antiquated and rigid class barriers. He was, in short, a huge influence on both the emerging discipline, and the Sixties counterculture in general.

Still working at the age of 81, Bailey's Instagram is a mixture of classic and new work, alongside behind-the-scenes studio shots, and images from his everyday life. With so many decades of iconic work under his belt, his feed has an immense amount to offer any photographer.

2. Steve McCurry

• @stevemccurryofficial
• Photojournalist 
• 2.5M followers

Steve McCurry is a photojournalist from Philadelphia who’s probably best known for his National Geographic work, particularly his famous cover shot, ‘Afghan Girl’. A Magnum member since 1986, he's won numerous awards, including Magazine Photographer of the Year, the Royal Photographic Society's Centenary Medal, and two World Press Photo prizes.

His Instagram feed is filled with incredible examples of his photojournalism from around the world. From a study of weapon makers in Pakistan to shot of a Serbian couple making out on a park bench, each picture tells a story in its own right, while the accompanying text also fills you in with the salient details. 

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3. David LaChapelle

• @david_lachapelle
• Commercial and fine art photographer 
• 278K followers

Dubbed the 'Fellini of photography', Connecticut-born commercial and fine art photographer David LaChapelle has a unique style that's been variously described as 'hyper-real', 'subversive', 'surreal' and 'kitsch'. A pioneering figure and a huge influence on modern photography, he’s won multiple awards and his work appears in public collections around the world.

Packed with ultra-colourful and gloriously OTT images that are sure to grab your attention - even within the noisy world of social media - his Instagram feed is one long visual buffet. Images are taken from both past and  present, plus there's some nice videos to add further interest and context.

4. Bruce Gilden

• @bruce_gilden 
• Street photographer 
• 183K followers

Iconic street photographer Bruce Gilden assured his place in photographic history with his ground-breaking technique of shooting the faces of passers-by with a flashgun. A Magnum member since 1998, he's produced long and detailed photographic projects in Haiti, France , Ireland, India, Russia, Japan and England, as well as in his native New York.

Gilden's Instagram feed is practically an exhibition in its own right. A jaw-dropping feast of starkly shot, mainly monochrome street photography, taken from across the decades, the images he posts here are never less than compelling.

5. Cindy Sherman

• @cindysherman 
• Conceptual photographer and film director 
• 234K followers

Born in New Jersey, Cindy Sherman is an American photographer who’s best known for her socially critical photography. 

Initially painting in a super-realist style in art school, she turned to photography towards the end of the 1970s to question the seductive influence of mass media on our individual and collective identities. As such, she is often cited as a major influence on contemporary portrait photographers.

Sherman's feed is a heady mixture of her surreal digital manipulations and more straightforward landscape shots (and some videos), captured during the course of her work and travels. All, though, are infused with her unique and enticing perspective on the world and its inhabitants.

6. Pete Souza 

• @petesouza 
• Photojournalist and White House photographer 
• 2.1M followers

Born in Massachusetts, Pete Souza is a photojournalist who worked for The Chicago Tribune’s Washington, D.C. bureau from 1998 to 2007. He’s better known, though, for having been the chief official White House photographer for two Presidents, Reagan and Obama. In the last couple of years, he’s released two books based on his time with the latter.

While Souza’s Twitter account is politics all the way, his Instagram feed is more balanced, with his photographic subject matter ranging from pop stars to  landscapes, proving that he's no one-trick pony. 

The main pull here, though, is a succession of revealing shots of political heavyweights at work, as well as quieter background shots of the world surrounding them, such as that of a small child gazing up at Obama during a White House event.

Five quick questions with Pete Souza

7. Alec Soth

• @littlebrownmushroom 
• Documentary photographer 
• 162K followers

Minnesota photographer Alec Soth is known for his epic documentary projects exploring the midwestern USA. A Magnum member since 2008, his work has been compared to that of Walker Evans and Stephen Shore, and focuses on topics such as the banality of modern American life and outcasts from normal society. 

Soth makes effective and inspired use of his Instagram account to service his fans and followers. See, for instance, the FAQ slideshow beneath his logo, which answers common queries on everything from what camera he uses, to how to hire him for commercial work. Next to it is another intriguing slideshow, answering other questions he's been asked, such as 'What's your favourite F-stop?'.

His feed itself, meanwhile, is an intriguing and enlightening combination of images from his in-depth, long-term projects, along with background shots that provide context. Each comes with an extensive and well-crafted caption, too, so you really feel you're getting an insight into the man and his creative process.

8. Ellen von Unwerth 

• @ellenvonunwerth 
• Fashion, editorial and advertising photographer 
• 482K followers

Born in Frankfurt, Germany, ex-model Ellen von Unwerth now works as a photographer and director. Specialising in erotic images of the female form that convey a feminist perspective, her work has been published in magazines including Vogue, Vanity Fair and Interview, and in several monographs.

Not surprisingly, Unwerth's Instagram feed is an intoxicating feed of glamorous fashion shots and eroticised imagery, featuring both burlesque stars and mainstream celebrities such as Miley Cyrus. Occasionally running foul of Instagram's decency rules, the pictures she posts here are colorful, unrepentantly sexual and always, always fabulous, darling.

9. Chris Burkard 

• @chrisburkard 
• Art photographer 
• 3.3M followers

Chris Burkard is a California-based art photographer known for his use of natural light and photojournalistic approach to shooting landscape, lifestyle, surf, outdoor and travel subjects. With commercial clients including Apple, Land Rover, Microsoft and Sony, his work has been published in magazines including GQ, National Geographic, New Yorker, Vogue and Wired.

An intoxicating mix of panoramic landscapes and watersports action shots, Burkard's feed is one long stream of expressive and breathtaking images. If you're the type of photographer who gets easily jealous of other practitioners' talents, it might be best to look away now...

See Chris Burkard speak at The Photography Show 2019

10. Ami Vitale

• @amivitale 
• Photojournalist 
• 968K followers

Ami Vitale is a highly influential photojournalist and documentary film-maker. Based in Montana, the National Geographic photographer, Nikon Ambassador, author, and five-times World Press Photo winner is also a founding member of Ripple Effect Images, a global organisation of female scientists and creatives.

Vitale is hugely motivated by conservation issues, and keen to use her Instagram feed to educate and motivate others. Consequently, it's filled with awe-inspiring photography of animals, landscapes and tribal life in the places she visits. She also occasionally uses her impressive reach to share the work of her favourite nature photographers.

11. Nick Knight

• @nick_knight 
• Fashion photographer 
• 560K followers

Nick Knight OBE is a British fashion photographer with a reputation for pushing both creative and technical boundaries. 

Renowned for challenging conventional ideals of beauty, his work has addressed a range of issues over the decades including racism, disability, ageism, and sizeism. He is also the founder of the fashion website SHOWstudio.com and an honorary professor at University of the Arts London. 

Knight's Instagram feed offers a great opportunity to enjoy his colourful, exotic and endlessly entrancing work, past and present, as well as selected work by SHOWstudio.com, and the occasional sharing of his political views.

12. Hank Willis Thomas 

• @hankwillisthomas 
• Art photographer 
• 98.6K followers

Hank Willis Thomas is a conceptual artist from New Jersey who works primarily with themes related to identity, history, and popular culture. His work has won many prizes and is included in numerous public collections including MOMA, the Guggenheim and the Whitney Museum of American Art.

His Instagram feed is testimony to the passion he feels for both his photography and the issues that drive it, from 'Black Lives Matter' to national healthcare. He has an especially captivating line in shooting campaigning billboards, up and down the United States.

13. Jonathan Mannion 

• @jonathanmannion 
• Music photographer 
• 112K followers

Raised in Ohio, Jonathan Mannion began his career as a studio assistant to the iconic photographer Richard Avedon, and has since become a photographic sensation within the world of hip-hop, having shot more than 300 album covers for artists ranging from Jay-Z to DJ Khaled. 

Unlike many photographers’ Instagram accounts, which look more strictly "curated", Mannion’s feed feels more organic, and seems like a genuine invitation to take a peek into his day-to-day life. 

A seemingly random series of images and videos offer behind-the-scenes glimpses of his work, collaborators, friends and family... with some polished and professional shots along the way, of course.

14. Lindsay Adler 

• @lindsayadler_photo 
• Beauty and fashion photographer
• 202K followers

Lindsay Adler is an American portrait and fashion photographer based in Manhattan whose editorials have appeared in Bullett Magazine, Zink Magazine and Fault. She's also published two books, speaks and teaches within the photographic community, and appears as co-host of the YouTube show ‘The Concept’ with fine art photographer Brooke Shaden.

Her Instagram feed, meanwhile, is quite enthralling. Consisting entirely of beautiful woman after beautiful woman, each sumptuously shot with dramatically colourful backgrounds and filters, Adler's posts are never short of breathtaking. 

Lindsay Adler on how to become a fashion photographer (and succeed)

15. Mario Testino 

• @mariotestino 
• Fashion and portrait photographer 
• 3.7M followers

Mario Testino is a Peruvian fashion and portrait photographer who's created images for brands such as Gucci, Burberry, Versace, Michael Kors, Chanel and Estée Lauder. Described last year in The Observer as “"the world's most prolific magazine and fashion trade photographer", he's also worked as a creative director, guest editor, museum founder, art collector and entrepreneur.

Testino's Instagram feed is an eclectic mix of glamorous model shots, past and present; ethereal landscapes captured on his travels; and fun photos of himself, his employees and collaborators. Along the way, there's a ton of insight and inspiration to be had from this master photographer.

16. Anne Geddes 

• @annegeddesofficial 
• Baby photographer 
• 70.9K followers

Anne Geddes is an Australian photographer, currently based in New York, whose award-winning baby photography is founded on a belief that children should be loved, nurtured and protected. She's sold more than 18million books and 13million calendars worldwide, and 2017 saw her inducted into the International Photographic Hall of Fame.

Geddes’ Instagram feed offers an upbeat and friendly way to keep up with her activities, from the talks she gives to her support for campaigns such as World Prematurity Day. It includes plenty of great behind-the-scenes images and videos, plus of course, examples of her world-leading baby photography.

17. Nan Goldin

• @nangoldinstudio
• Art photographer 
• 88.8K followers

Born in Washington DC, Nancy 'Nan' Goldin is an art photographer known for exploring issues such as excluded communities, the HIV crisis and the opioid epidemic. Her work has won multiple prizes and appeared in numerous exhibitions around the world, and she currently lives between New York, Paris and London.

Lively, caustic and often politically charged, Goldin's Instagram presence is never, ever dull. From snipes at Trump and Big Pharma to shots of her travels, this is one Instagrammer who constantly delivers in terms of both insight and inspiration.

18. Barbara Davidson  

• @photospice 
• 59.5K followers 
• Photojournalist and commercial photographer

Born and raised in Montreal, Canada, Pulitzer- and Emmy-winning photojournalist Barbara Davidson has covered crisis in Iraq, Afghanistan, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Israel and Gaza, working for newspapers including the LA Times, the Dallas Morning News and the Washington Times.

Davdson's Instagram is full of beguilingly beautiful photographs from her travels; everything from the 'Migrant Caravan' in Mexico to workers at a jute mill in India. Accompanied by detailed and fascinating captions, they are continuously educational, enlightening, and visually irresistible.

19. Manfred Baumann

• @manfredbaumann 
• Nude, portrait and landscape photographer 
• 880K followers

Manfred Baumann is an Austrian photographer who's found success in several areas, including nude photography, portraiture, and landscapes. Considered one of the most influential living photographers, his celebrity subjects have included the likes of Sandra Bullock, William Shatner, Natalie Portman and Bruce Willis.

His Instagram feed is essentially a succession of such portraits, each showing a side of the A-lister that you probably haven't seen before. He might not update it as often as some of the photographers on this list, but when he does, it's a treat to treasure.

20. Michael Yamashita  

• @yamashitaphoto 
• National Geographic photographer
• 1.5M followers

Mike Yamashita has combined his dual passions of photography and travel for over 25 years as a shooter for National Geographic and, more recently, with his own film production company. Specialising in Asia, Yamashita is known for covering topics such as Marco Polo's journey to China, the Great Wall, and the border between North and South Korea.

His Instagram feed brings the colour and visual vibrancy of Asian culture to instant life, from the snow-clad volcanos of Hokkaido to the noisy Spring Festival stalls of Beijing. If you want a masterclass in how to craft a compelling image, this is one account you need to start following.

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Taschen is launching a monster 440-page retrospective of the work of British photographer David Bailey. Measuring 50 x 70cm, this "Sumo" edition weighs a back-breaking 30kg – and it is so heavy that it comes with its own custom-designed three-legged table so that buyers can actually turn the pages without hurting themselves.

Now aged 81, Bailey became one of the most famous fashion and portrait photographers when still in his twenties during the swinging sixties. He is still a highly-sought after and active photographer, running his studio in central London – not far from where he was born.

Bailey's book, which is simply called David Bailey, is a who's who of the rich and famous over the six decades of his career. The 300-plus black and white portraits, mainly shot against his signature white background, include iconic portraits of Mick Jagger, the Kray twins, The Beatles, Andy Warhol, Margaret Thatcher, Jack Nicholson and Her Majesty the Queen.

The signed limited-edition book will cost £2,250 / $3,000 when it goes on sale in April. Each of the 3,000 books is numbered – with the first 300 selling with signed prints at an even higher asking price. The first 75 of these, which comes with a portrait of Lennon and McCartney, cost £11,250 / $15,000 and have already sold out. The book can be ordered direct from Taschen.

Three other photographers have previously had Sumo editions published by Taschen: Sebastiao Salgado, Annie Liebowitz, and Helmut Newton.

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