Western Photographer: Arthur Elgort
model Angela Lindvall Photographed by Arthur Elgort, Vogue, February 1998
The first start to our series highlighting my favorite western photographers.
I discovered arthur elgort while looking at vintage vogue catalogues and magazines while starting 1991. I compiled imagery of what I thought the brand embodied and represented. And countless times, over and over again I found Arthur elgort’s stunning work of beautiful models caught in between cowboys and real life.
This picture above caught my attention immediately and I dove down the rabbit hole of his work and then I realized he had shot all of my favorite editorial photographs. The way he includes models in the rodeo culture, and surrounds them with real cowboys is timeless, effortless and is just so nostalgic to me. As a lover of film photography, particularly black and white film, I immediately fell in love with his archives.
So I would love to showcase a few that inspired me to start 1991.
Male Models For The Gap Riding Horses
Arthur Elgort Self Portrait, New York, 1978
Arthur Elgort Bio:
Arthur was born in 1940 in New York City. As a teenager he attended Stuyvesant High School and then went on to study painting at Hunter College. Finding the medium too lonely, he decided to try his hand at photography and soon discovered it was a talent. Shortly thereafter he made his debut in British Vogue in 1971. With just one shoot he created not only a sensation but a permanent place in the world of fashion photography.
Arthur's relaxed and easy snapshot style was a breath of fresh air in a world where staged and stiff studio shoots with mannequin-like models were the norm. Arthur encouraged his subjects to move freely in the frame. The models he chose were lively, wore less make-up, and were simply enhanced by the natural light that he favored. Taking his models outside into the “real world,” where the clothes he was being asked to photograph would be worn and put to the test, became a signature of his personal style.
Arthur quickly became one of the best-known and most emulated photographers in the world. The risks that he took with his photographic style changed the idea of what a fashion photograph could be and pushed the entire industry forward. For over 50 years Arthur has been a major influence, from his Vogue covers to his luxury-brand ad campaigns, his work is an inspiration. His style and influence created infinite possibilities in the world of fashion photography which he continues to explore today from his base in New York City.
Photographed by Arthur Elgort, Vogue, February 1998
I posted this on social media at the early stages of 1991’s birth and I had a fan of 1991 contact me and tell me that the cowboy in this photograph was her uncle. he worked at the ranch they were photographing this editorial for vogue.
True West Editorial Vogue October 1989.
This editorial titled “True West” from vogue published october 1989 that arthur shot is iconic, classic, and truly western.
I wish vogue would continue to tell these stories of natural american women.
the women that fish, that ride horses, that go to rodeos, wear barn jackets and get their boots dirty!
Christy Turlington & Naomi Campbell
Not only did arthur photograph cowboys, he photographed cowboys with supermodels who’s name will forever leave a legacy in fashion.
Cindy Crawford, Vogue Italia Novembre 1989
Christy Turlington and Naomi Campbell at the Central Grocery, New Orleans
Cindy Crawford for Vogue Italia. September 1996
Photographing Rodeo
We love a good ole fashion rodeo! the way that arthur captured this rodeo feels like you are there sitting on the bleachers,sweat dripping from your cowgirl hat anticipating the next bronc ride. I can taste The summer heat, the summer love and the true legacy of the west.
