Famous 21st Century Photographers

Vote for Your Favourite 21st Century Photographers

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 1 
Annie Leibovitz
(Portrait Photographer Who is Known for Her Engaging Portraits of Celebrities in Intimate Settings)
Annie Leibovitz
13
Birthdate: October 2, 1949
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Waterbury, Connecticut, United States

Anna-Lou Leibovitz is an American portrait photographer whose career is defined by intimate photographs of celebrities, as exemplified by her famous portrait of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, hours before the English musician’s murder. The Rolling Stone magazine provided the platform for her photographic talent during the early years of her career. She was involved in a controversy over an apparent topless photo of Miley Cyrus.

 2 
Cindy Sherman
(American Photographer and Director)
Cindy Sherman
7
Birthdate: January 19, 1954
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Glen Ridge, New Jersey, United States
 3 
Vivian Maier
(American Street Photographer Whose Work was Discovered After Her Death)
Vivian Maier
10
Birthdate: February 1, 1926
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
Died: April 21, 2009

Vivian Maier was an American street photographer whose works received critical acclaim after her death. Maier's photographs were unpublished during her lifetime. However, her works went viral on the internet when it was published on Flickr five months after her death. Vivian Maier's life and work have inspired documentary films like Finding Vivian Maier.

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 4 
David Bailey
(Photographer)
David Bailey
6
Birthdate: January 2, 1938
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Leytonstone

David Bailey is an English portrait and fashion photographer. He is credited with co-creating the Swinging London movement along with Brian Duffy and Terence Donovan during the 1960s. Bailey is also known for his work with the famous Vogue magazine. The character played by David Hemmings in the 1966 mystery thriller film Blowup was inspired by David Bailey.

 5 
David LaChapelle
(Photographer)
David LaChapelle
6
Birthdate: March 11, 1963
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Fairfield
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 6 
Jena Malone
(Actress and Musician Who is Known for Her Roles in Both Independent Films and Mainstream Blockbuster Features)
Jena Malone
4
Birthdate: November 21, 1984
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Sparks, Nevada, United States

As a child actor, Jena Malone delivered a Saturn Award-winning performance in Contact. She later starred in Donnie Darko, Sucker Punch, Into the Wild. and The Hunger Games franchise. She also sings as part of Jena Malone and the Blood Stains and is a talented photographer who has held exhibitions.

 7 
Cole Sprouse
(Actor and Photographer Known for His TV Series ‘The Suite Life of Zack & Cody’)
Cole Sprouse
6
Birthdate: August 4, 1992
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Arezzo, Italy

American actor, Cole Sprouse, started acting as a child and a teenager. He is known for television series The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, Riverdale, and Friends. In the early days of his career, he mainly acted alongside his twin brother, Dylan Sprouse, in commercials, television shows and films. He has also acted in the film Five Feet Apart.

 8 
Robert Clarence Irwin
(American Television Personality, Wildlife Photographer and Son of Steve Irwin)
Robert Clarence Irwin
6
Birthdate: December 1, 2003
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Buderim, Australia
Robert Irwin, the son of the late wildlife expert Steve Irwin and Terri Irwin, has also gained fame as the host of Robert's Real Life Adventures and co-hosted Wild But True. He is part of the series Crikey!, is a wildlife photographer, and has created a book series, too.
 9 
David Hockney
(Painter)
David Hockney
5
Birthdate: July 9, 1937
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Bradford

Painter, photographer, printmaker, and stage designer David Hockney is best known for his works such as Portrait of an Artist, which became the most expensive piece of art by a living artist ever auctioned, at $90 million. His works have explored themes such as homosexuality. He has synesthesia, too.

 10 
Sebastião Salgado
(Photojournalist, Painter, Journalist)
Sebastião Salgado
4
Birthdate: February 8, 1944
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Aimorés

Sebastião Salgado is a Brazilian photojournalist and social documentary photographer. His photographic projects, which have appeared in numerous books and press publications, have taken him to over 120 countries. Sebastião Salgado is a recipient of several prestigious honors and awards such as the Oskar Barnack Award and Royal Photographic Society's Centenary Medal.

 11 
Alexandra Hedison
(American Actress and Photographer Known for Her TV Series ‘The L Word’ and ‘Prey’)
Alexandra Hedison
5
Birthdate: July 10, 1969
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
Alexandra Hedison is a renowned photographer and has exhibited her creations at numerous galleries, throughout the U.S. and Europe. She has also appeared in the series The L Word and Nash Bridges. Openly lesbian, she has dated Ellen DeGeneres in the past and is now married to Jodie Foster.
 12 
Linda Fiorentino
7
Birthdate: March 9, 1960
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Linda Fiorentino is an American actress best known for her portrayal of Bridget Gregory in the 1994 neo-noir erotic thriller film The Last Seduction, for which she received a BAFTA Award nomination and won a couple of prestigious awards, including the New York Film Critics Circle Award.

 13 
Berry Berenson
(Actress, Model and Photographer)
Berry Berenson
4
Birthdate: April 14, 1948
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Murray Hill, New York, United States
Died: September 11, 2001

Berry Berenson was an American actress, photographer, and model. Apart from appearing on films alongside actors like Jeff Bridges and Anthony Perkins, Berenson also contributed as a photographer; her works were featured in popular magazines like Newsweek, Glamour, Vogue, and Life. Berry Berenson died aboard American Airlines Flight 11 during the September 11 attacks. 

 14 
Robert Frank
(Photographer)
Robert Frank
5
Birthdate: November 9, 1924
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Zürich, Switzerland
Died: September 9, 2019

Robert Frank was a Swiss documentary filmmaker and photographer best remembered for his photographic book The Americans which earned him comparisons with the likes of Tocqueville. An acclaimed photographer, Robert Frank won many prestigious awards, such as Hasselblad Foundation International Award in Photography in 1996 and the Edward MacDowell Medal in 2002.

 15 
Ann Curry
(Journalist)
Ann Curry
6
Birthdate: November 19, 1956
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Hagåtña, Guam

Born to a Japanese mother and an American father, journalist Ann Curry is best known for her extensive war reporting and has covered disturbances from areas such as Syria and Afghanistan. The Emmy Award-winning journalist has had a long stint on NBC. She also supports cancer research.

 16 
Austin Swift
(Actor and Producer Known for His Films ‘Live by Night’ and ‘I.T.’)
Austin Swift
4
Birthdate: March 11, 1992
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, United States

Austin Swift is an American actor best known for playing important roles in films like We Summon the Darkness, for which he also served as a co-producer. The younger brother of Taylor Swift, Austin Swift followed in the footsteps of his sister to establish himself in the entertainment industry.

 17 
Lance Gross
(Actor)
Lance Gross
4
Birthdate: July 8, 1981
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Oakland, California, USA
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 18 
Nick Knight
(British Fashion Photographer and Founder and Director of 'showstudio.com')
Nick Knight
3
Birthdate: November 24, 1958
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: London, England

Nick Knight is an English fashion photographer best known for his work as the official photographer of Queen Elizabeth's 90th birthday celebrations in 2016. Knight is credited with founding SHOWstudio.com where he also serves as the director. In 2015, he was honored at the British Fashion Awards with the Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator.

 19 
Susan Mikula
(American Artist and Photographer)
Susan Mikula
10
Birthdate: March 7, 1958
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: New Jersey, United States
Self-taught photographer Susan Mikula is known for using old Polaroids and pinhole cameras to create her masterpieces. She was an accountant earlier and has also worked for the U.S. consulate in Mexico. The LGBT icon is in a long-term relationship with her partner, journalist and TV personality Rachel Maddow.
 20 
Keegan Allen
4
Birthdate: July 22, 1989
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Southern California, California, United States
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 21 
Gordon Parks
(Photographer)
Gordon Parks
4
Birthdate: November 30, 1912
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Fort Scott, Kansas, United States
Died: March 7, 2006

Gordon Parks was a writer, photographer, musician, and film director. He was the first Black American to direct and produce major motion pictures pertaining to the experience of slaves and African-Americans. He is credited with co-creating a new film genre called blaxploitation and his works have influenced filmmakers like Spike Lee. He is also credited with co-founding Essence magazine.

 22 
Barret Oliver
(Photographer)
Barret Oliver
5
Birthdate: August 24, 1973
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
 23 
Abbas Kiarostami
(Iranian Director, Producer, Screenwriter and Photographer)
Abbas Kiarostami
4
Birthdate: June 22, 1940
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Tehran, Iran
Died: July 4, 2016

Abbas Kiarostami was an Iranian screenwriter, film director, film producer, photographer, and poet. Over the course of his illustrious career, Kiarostami was honored with numerous awards such as the Jury Special Award at the Tehran International Film Festival and Best Film Award at the Iranian Film Festival for Children and Young Adults. 

 24 
Melissa Auf der Maur
(Canadian Musician, Photographer, and Occasional Actress)
Melissa Auf der Maur
5
Birthdate: March 17, 1972
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
 25 
Andy Goldsworthy
(Sculptor & Photographer)
Andy Goldsworthy
4
Birthdate: July 26, 1956
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Cheshire, England

English sculptor, artist, and photographer Andy Goldsworthy has revolutionized outdoor art by creating masterpieces with naturally available material such as rain, snow, and rocks. A farm laborer in his younger days, he developed an early love for nature and the elements. Rain Shadows remains one of his best-loved works.

 26 
Chris Stein
(Musicians)
Chris Stein
4
Birthdate: January 5, 1950
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
 27 
Chris Owen
(Actor)
Chris Owen
5
Birthdate: September 25, 1980
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Houghton, Michigan, U.S.
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 28 
Mary McCartney
(Photographer)
Mary McCartney
5
Birthdate: August 28, 1969
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: London

Mary McCartney is a British photographer best known as the daughter of Linda and Paul McCartney. McCartney is credited with capturing portraits of popular personalities like Jude Law, Ralph Fiennes, and Sam Taylor-Wood. Apart from being a photographer, Mary McCartney is also an animal rights activist. She is a Global Ambassador for initiatives like Green Monday and Meat Free Monday.

 29 
Yousuf Karsh
(Canadian Photographer)
Yousuf Karsh
4
Birthdate: December 23, 1908
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Mardin, Turkey
Died: July 13, 2002
 30 
William Eggleston
(Photographer, Artist)
William Eggleston
5
Birthdate: July 27, 1939
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Memphis
 31 
Minnie Weisz
(Photographer)
Minnie Weisz
4
Birthdate: 1972
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: London, England

Minnie Weisz is an English visual artist and photographer. Weisz specializes in a technique called camera obscura which she uses to turn rooms into cameras. Minnie Weisz is also known as the younger sister of Academy Award-winning actress Rachel Weisz.

 32 
Koo Stark
(American Photographer and Actress)
Koo Stark
5
Birthdate: April 26, 1956
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
Renowned photographer Koo Stark has held numerous exhibitions. Her works have also been showcased at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. She has also been an actor and a model, and has been in the news for her relationship with Britain’s Prince Andrew. Stark is a cancer survivor. 
 33 
Don McCullin
(British Autobiographer, War Photographer and Journalist)
Don McCullin
4
Birthdate: October 9, 1935
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Finsbury Park, London, United Kingdom

Don McCullin is an English photojournalist best known for his work as a war photographer. He achieved national recognition when he exhibited his hard-hitting photos of the Northern Ireland conflict and the Vietnam War. His photographs have also showcased the downtrodden, impoverished, and unemployed. McCullin's career has inspired a couple of documentary films, namely Just One More War and McCullin.   

 34 
Andreas Gursky
(German Photographer and Professor)
Andreas Gursky
4
Birthdate: January 15, 1955
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Leipzig, Germany

Known for his blatant use of digital manipulation and unique compositional strategies, Andreas Gursky is one of the most pricey, yet bestselling photographers of our time, with his best known work, Rhein II, fetching $4.3 million in 2011.  The first to produce large prints, measuring 6 × 8 feet or more, he also taught fine arts at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf.

 35 
Steve McCurry
(American Photographer, Freelancer, and Photojournalist)
Steve McCurry
5
Birthdate: April 23, 1950
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Steve McCurry is an American photographer and photojournalist whose photo Afghan Girl has appeared on the cover page of National Geographic magazine on multiple occasions. Over the course of his illustrious career, Steve McCurry has won numerous awards and honors, such as the Royal Photographic Society's Centenary Medal and the Lucie Award for Photojournalism.

 36 
Tasya van Ree
(Painter and Photographer)
Tasya van Ree
5
Birthdate: April 30, 1976
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Mililani, Hawaii, United States

Tasya van Ree is a popular American painter and photographer, known for her keen interests in visual presentation and mixed media. Also known for her distinctive sense of fashion, Tasya believes that people become what they wear. An openly gay celebrity, she serves as an inspiration to the LGBTQ community. She has dated personalities like Amber Heard and Caroline Vreeland.

 37 
Chris Jagger
(Musician, Photographer, Music journalist)
Chris Jagger
4
Birthdate: December 19, 1947
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Dartford

Chris Jagger is an English musician best known as the younger brother of Sir Michael Philip Jagger aka Mick Jagger. Apart from being a musician, Chris Jagger has also worked as a journalist; he has contributed articles for prominent publications like The Guardian, Rolling Stone, and The Daily Telegraph. Jagger is also credited with organizing charity concerts.

 38 
Stephanie Sheh
(Voice actress known for notable voice roles include Hinata Hyuga in the Naruto franchise, Orihime Inoue in Bleach)
Stephanie Sheh
3
Birthdate: April 10, 1977
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States
Height: 4'9" (145 cm)
 39 
Hedi Slimane
(Creative Director of 'Celine' & Former Creative Director of 'Dior Homme' and 'Yves Saint Laurent')
Hedi Slimane
3
Birthdate: July 5, 1968
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Paris, France

French designer Hedi Slimane began his career as a marketing assistant at Yves Saint Laurent. His menswear silhouettes earned him a CFDA International Designer Award. He now works with the luxury brand Celine. He is also a skilled photographer and has released several photo books and worked for several magazines.

 40 
Martin Parr
(Photographer, Journalist)
Martin Parr
4
Birthdate: May 23, 1952
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Epsom

Martin Parr is a British photojournalist, photographer, and photobook collector. He has also worked as a professor of photography at prestigious institutions like the University of Wales, Newport and Ulster University. Over the course of his career, Martin Parr has won several awards, such as the Dr. Erich Salomon Award and Lucie Award.

 41 
Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon
(British Photographer Best Known for His Portraits of World Notables)
Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon
8
Birthdate: March 7, 1930
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Belgravia
Died: January 13, 2017

From working as a photographer to becoming one of the members of the British royal family, Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon had an amazing journey. Despite being known for his marriage with Princess Margaret, he was also known for his philanthropy and charity work. He also co-designed the Snowdon Aviary, which is now part of the famous London Zoo.

 42 
Count Nikolai von Bismarck
4
Birthdate: December 29, 1986
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: London, England

Count Nikolai von Bismarck is a British-German photographer who became the youngest person to shoot for Condé Nast, a global mass media company. He is also credited with photographing prominent personalities like Princess Beatrice of York. In addition to capturing the portraits of others, Von Bismarck has also posed for publications like Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, The Telegraph, and GQ.

 43 
Deborah Foreman
(Actress)
Deborah Foreman
3
Birthdate: October 12, 1962
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Montebello, California, USA
Height: 5'5" (165 cm)
 44 
Amanda de Cadenet
(Photographer, Actress and Television Presenter)
Amanda de Cadenet
3
Birthdate: May 19, 1972
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Hampstead, London, England

Amanda de Cadenet is an English author, photographer, and media personality. As a photographer, De Cadenet has worked for popular magazines like Harper’s Bazaar, Jane, and Spin. Amanda de Cadenet has also appeared in a couple of films like Grace of My Heart and The Rachel Papers.

 45 
Austin O'Brien
(Actor)
Austin O'Brien
3
Birthdate: May 11, 1981
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Eugene, Oregon, U.S.
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 46 
Helena Christensen
(Danish Model, Co-founder of 'Nylon' Magazine, Former Beauty Queen and ‘Victoria's Secret Angel’)
Helena Christensen
6
Birthdate: December 25, 1968
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Copenhagen, Denmark

Helena Christensen is a Danish photographer and supermodel. A former beauty queen, clothing designer, and Victoria's Secret Angel, Christensen has been featured on cover pages of magazines, such as Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. Well-known for her philanthropic activities, Christensen has participated in campaigns to raise awareness about climate change. She has also launched fundraising campaigns to fight against breast cancer.

 47 
Margaret Trudeau
(Canadian Activist)
Margaret Trudeau
4
Birthdate: September 10, 1948
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Vancouver, Canada
Height: 5'6" (168 cm)
 48 
Tabitha Soren
(Journalist)
Tabitha Soren
3
Birthdate: August 19, 1967
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: San Antonio San Antonio, Texas
 49 
Nigel Barker
(Best Known as the Judge and Photographer on the Reality Show 'America’s Next Top Model')
Nigel Barker
3
Birthdate: April 27, 1972
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: London, England

Nigel Barker is an English fashion photographer, TV personality, filmmaker, spokesperson, author, and former model. Barker is best known for his work as a photographer in the popular reality TV series America's Next Top Model where he has also appeared as a judge. He has also judged beauty pageants like Miss America and Miss Universe. 

 50 
Arlene Alda
(Musician, Photographer, Writer)
Arlene Alda
4
Birthdate: December 7, 1933
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Bronx, New York, United States