ELLEN VON UNWERTH

ELLEN VON UNWERTH 

 

 Who knew that models were such great photographers? Not content with her experience as a model, Ellen Von Unwerth abandoned life in front of the camera for life behind it and is now one of the most sought-after fashion photographers in the world. Her emphasis on fashion and sexuality, be it in classy black and white or audacious colors, has changed the way women are photographed. Her inspirations travel back to the heyday of Bettie Page, but her results remain groundbreaking and original. 

By making her photographs less posed, Ellen Von Unwerth allows models to breathe, be themselves and ultimately feel sexier. The results are stunning and often stunningly sexual without exploiting or objectifying the models involved. For that, artists and admirers (i.e., any man with a pulse) owe Ellen Von Unwerth a multitude of thanks. They also need to thank her for launching the careers of modern beauties Claudia Schiffer, Estella Warren and Daniela Pestova among others.

 A glance through some of her raciest projects begs the question of whether Ellen Von Unwerth is as naughty as her photos. While she's something of an enigma, she does admit that some of her favorite photography sessions involve bondage and creating scenarios in which women dominate men.

 This goes back to her love of Bettie Page, a pinup icon that she paid tribute to in a 1998 Max photo shoot called "Back to Betty," featuring Eva Herzigova. An even kinkier side of Ellen Von Unwerth comes through in Revenge, her 2003 photo book featuring mud-covered women being flogged at a chateau before they turn the tables on the resident baroness and the chauffeur who brought them there.

 The domination themes might scare a few guys off (and turn a few others on), but Ellen Von Unwerth likes to reinforce that all of her photos are intended to be fun, not painful.

Ellen Von Unwerth's overactive childhood imagination took her to the circus before it took her to photography. Enthralled by a performance in Munich after her graduation from high school, she was hired as an assistant and performed regularly in magic acts and stunts. It would prove to be a visual odyssey that would stay with her long past her working days there.

On the street, a photographer approached Ellen Von Unwerth and asked her about a modeling career. Open to the idea, she moved to Paris at age 20 and remained in front of the camera. Although she earned accolades like the cover of Cosmopolitan, she didn't like the static feeling of the industry and felt that freedom was missing. Thanks to some careful observation of her photographer roommate and a camera gift courtesy of her boyfriend, Ellen Von Unwerth began taking her own pictures, which culminated in an impromptu photo shoot in Africa of her fellow models. When the ensuing pictures were promptly published, Ellen Von Unwerth immediately found a new calling.

 A 10-year modeling career for Ellen Von Unwerth gave way to a prolific photographic career that has made women look beautiful in a variety of mediums like magazine ads, editorial photos and covers. 

Ellen Von Unwerth's professional resume is a what's what of publications like I-D, Vanity Fair, Interview, and Vogue and a who's who of celebrities like Christina Aguilera, Janet Jackson, Drew Barrymore, Britney Spears, George Clooney, and Madonna lining up to work with her. She can also take credit for the memorable Guess print ad campaign that took the '90s by storm. 

The work of Ellen Von Unwerth has been displayed at exhibitions around the world and inside the pages of her own books. An occasional music video director, she has also helmed television spots for cosmetic giants like Revlon and Clinique, and television shows like Sex and the City and Desperate Housewives.