Herb Ritts

Herb Ritts was an iconic American fashion photographer and director who became renowned for his distinct style, capturing timeless and captivating images.

Biography of Herb Ritts

Herb Ritts was born in 1952 in Los Angeles, California. Ritts developed a passion for photography at an early age. After completing his high school education, Herb Ritts moved to the East Coast and enrolled at Bard College in New York.

Subsequently, during his time residing in Los Angeles, his fascination with photography blossomed. The spark ignited when he and his friend Richard Gere, who was then an aspiring actor, decided to capture a series of photographs with an old Buick as their backdrop.

The image garnered Ritts significant attention, leading him to develop a more profound commitment to photography. His dedication intensified as he embarked on notable projects, such as capturing Brooke Shields for the esteemed cover of Elle's October 12, 1981 edition. Additionally, Ritts had the privilege of photographing Olivia Newton-John for her iconic Physical album in the same year.

Throughout the vibrant decades of the 1980s and 1990s, Ritts photographed celebrities in diverse locations across California. Among his captivating subjects during this period were renowned musicians. Additionally, Ritts skillfully captured the essence of fashion models, including Naomi Campbell, Stephanie Seymour, Tatjana Patitz, Christy Turlington, and Cindy Crawford, both in stylish fashion shoots and tasteful nude photography.

Furthermore, Ritts established a prolific portfolio by contributing to a multitude of prestigious publications. His impressive body of work graced the pages of Interview, Esquire, Mademoiselle, Glamour, GQ, Newsweek, Harper's Bazaar, Rolling Stone, Time, Vogue, Allure, Vanity Fair, Details, and Elle. 

Tragically, Herb Ritts' career was cut short when he passed away on December 26, 2002. However, his legacy continues to inspire and influence generations of photographers and artists worldwide.

Herb Ritts' art style

Herb Ritts was drawn to clean lines and strong forms. This graphic simplicity allowed his images to be instantly comprehended and emotionally experienced. Ritts consistently pushed the boundaries of conventional perspectives on gender and race through his work, challenging societal norms and provoking thought-provoking conversations.

Artistic Achievements and Recognition

Herb Ritts' artwork has been showcased in various exhibitions. Some of these exhibitions include Herb Ritts: The Rock Portraits, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland, OH, 2015/16; Herb Ritts, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA, 2015; Herb Ritts: Super, Hamilton's Gallery, London, 2016/17; Herb Ritts: Super II, Hamilton's Gallery, London, 2017.