The Shortlist: 13 “Emerging” Fashion Photographers You Should Know

We all know that Steven Meisel, Mario Testino and Terry Richardson are the world’s go-to campaign photographers, and most fashion lovers will be familiar with the editorial fingerprint of photographers like Tim Walker, Mert and Marcus, and Annie Leibovitz. They’ve been ruling the fashion industry for a very long time. But naturally, all reigns must eventually come to an end, and make room for a new breed of fashion photography royalty. Here is our list of the talented photographers in the running to take over the industry! Mind you, we’re not particularly fond of the term “emerging” and are defining “emerging photographers” very loosely here. In most cases, the photographers mentioned in the list below are already successful full-time image makers, but for reasons that are totally beyond our understanding, have yet to take over the international scene and become household names. And so, for for lack of a better word, we’re going to refer to these super stars “emerging” for the time being. If talent is any indication of great success on the international circuit, for these photographers it’s only a matter of time. Click on the artists name to see their portfolio!

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muriel-liebmann

Muriel Liebmann (Hamburg)

Based in Hamburg, Germany Muriel started taking pictures at the age of 11. Her aesthetic is ultra feminine with just a dash of grit tossed in to keep it from being too sweet. Her light is clean as freshly fallen snow, and pretty as hell.

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jette-stolte

Jette Stolte (Berlin)

This Berlin based photographer is the real deal. Her images are always impeccably lit and styled, with gorgeous colors and narratives. Jette is the kind of photographer that doesn’t produce bad work. Her worst day in the studio is everyone else’s best case scenario.

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charlie-engman

Charlie Engman (New York)

Based in Brooklyn, Charlie studied Korean and Japanese in University, so naturally he became a fashion photographer. There’s something about that story that captures everything we love about Charlie, his work is unconventional, creative, unexpected and beautiful in its strangeness. He is shooting some of the most refreshingly original work in the fashion industry right now.

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nhu-xuan

Nhu Xuan Hua (London)

The mood of Nhu’s photography is always haunting, feminine, and icy cold. Her technique often features brilliant use of mixed media. A magical combination of softness and hard edge permeates all her images, and above all an alluring strangeness that sticks in your head long after you’ve looked at her work.

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Nadya Wasylko

Nadya Wasylko (New York)

Nadya Wasylko is a Ukranian-American photographer based in New York (and Canada, and Switzerland, and London, and Czech Republic among other places). She has assisted the likes of Rankin and Daniel Jackson, and sure knows how to shoot a pretty picture.

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andrea-olivo

Andrea Olivo (Milan)

Fun, remember that? When did fashion become so sombre and serious? In the 80s and early 90s models would walk down the runway smiling and waving at the audience, today you’d be lucky to see them blink. Andrea Olivo’s images remind us of the time when models were free to show their personalities, and when fashion didn’t take itself so seriously. Andrea’s images will always leave you with the feeling that everyone on set had a hell of a good time.

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michele-yong

Michele Yong (Paris)

Malasian born and Paris based Michele Yong’s work elicits a nostalgia for the old fashion greats like Guy Bourdin. Her style is the perfect balance of romantic but raw, modern yet with an unmistakable 70s signature.

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sabrina_theissen

Sabrina Theissen (Berlin)

Sabrina is yet another talented German fashion photographer (there must be something in the water over there). We love the unpretentious and sincere quality to her images. It feels comfortable, like a well-worn cashmere sweater and jeans. This isn’t about bells and whistles, it’s about simple beauty.

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brent-chua

Brent Chua (New York)

No one shoots men like Brent. This New York based photographer understands how to capture masculinity like no one else – and we’re talking that sophisticated James Bondian, man of the world, shaken not stirred kind of manliness that never gets old. His subjects are always aspirational. They’re the guys you want to be, or the guys you want to be with.

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jane-and-jane

Jane and Jane (Toronto)

Jane and Jane are a sister photography duo from Toronto, Canada. They also happen to be identical twins with the same middle name (you guessed it – Jane). Their work has a characteristic shimmery silver and white quality, with deep shadows and beautiful soft lighting.

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sam-nixon

Sam Nixon (New York)

A little Juergen Teller, and a little Bruce Webber make for a playful but classic image courtesy of Sam Nixon. This New York based photographer doesn’t go out of his way to make his subjects beautiful or glamorous, when you look at his work you get the feeling that you’re looking at real people. Even if those people happen to be some of the most beautiful people on the planet. Sam keeps it real. Not an easy feat in an industry hell bent on glamor and fantasy.

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arved-colvin-smith

Arved Colvin-Smith (London)

As long as there is a fashion industry, there will be a need for sharp, flawless and glamorous as hell fashion images like Arved’s. It’s the stuff all beauty ad campaigns are made of. Arved’s work is always precise, high contrast and bursting with color.

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elizaveta-porodina2

Elizaveta Porodina (Munich)

Munich based Elizaveta Porodina’s work is magical, fantastical and completely breath-taking. Everything from the lighting, set design and wardrobe just drips with narrative. Part fairytale romance, and part gothic novel, Elizaveta’s work is downright poetic, and loosely reminiscent of Tim Walker with a darker gothic twist.

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Natalia Borecka

Natalia is the editor in chief and publisher of Lone Wolf Magazine. She founded the publication in 2012.

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