10 Most Famous Portrait Photographers And Their Cameras

Great portrait photographers all have a unique artistic vision that makes their work unique. Their attention to detail, innovative techniques and consistent quality reflect a commitment to excellence. With a high level of professionalism and a passion for their art, these photographers leave a lasting impact and inspire future generations through impactful and unforgettable photographs.

Below I will briefly introduce ten famous portrait photographers and their equipment.

Yousuf Karsh (1908-2002): 

Known for his iconic portraits of significant figures such as Winston Churchill, Albert Einstein, and Ernest Hemingway.

Cameras: Large format cameras, primarily an 8x10 Deardorff view camera.

Annie Leibovitz (b. 1949): 

Famous for her work with Rolling Stone magazine and Vanity Fair, capturing celebrities in distinctive and often provocative settings.

Cameras: Started with a Nikon 35mm camera; later used medium format cameras like the Mamiya RZ67 and digital cameras such as the Canon EOS series.

Richard Avedon (1923-2004): 

Renowned for his fashion photography and stark, emotive portraits, Avedon's work has been influential in both the commercial and fine art photography worlds.

Cameras: Used a Rolleiflex twin-lens reflex camera for his early work and an 8x10 Deardorff view camera for his later, more iconic portraits.

Diane Arbus (1923-1971): 

Noted for her black-and-white images of marginalized people—dwarfs, giants, transgender people, nudists, circus performers, and others.

Cameras: Started with a Nikon 35mm camera and later switched to a medium format Rolleiflex twin-lens reflex camera.

Irving Penn (1917-2009): 

Celebrated for his fashion photography, portraits, and still lifes, Penn's work was marked by its elegant simplicity and meticulous attention to detail.

Cameras: Used a range of cameras, including 35mm and medium format cameras like the Rolleiflex and Hasselblad.

Arnold Newman (1918-2006): 

A pioneer of environmental portraiture, Newman is known for capturing subjects in their personal surroundings, providing context to their lives and work.

Cameras: Primarily used large format cameras, such as the 4x5 view camera.

Cecil Beaton (1904-1980): 

A versatile photographer, Beaton is famous for his glamorous portraits of celebrities and royalty, as well as his work as a fashion photographer and war correspondent.

Cameras: Used various cameras, including large format and medium format 

Helmut Newton (1920-2004): 

Best known for his provocative, erotically charged black-and-white photos, Newton's work pushed the boundaries of fashion photography.

Cameras: Used a variety of cameras, including the 35mm Leica and medium format cameras like the Hasselblad.

Steve McCurry (b. 1950): 

An iconic figure in contemporary photojournalism, McCurry is best known for his portrait "Afghan Girl," which appeared on the cover of National Geographic in 1985.

Cameras: Started with Nikon 35mm cameras and later used digital cameras like the Nikon D series.

Julia Margaret Cameron (1815-1879): 

A pioneer of portrait photography, Cameron's work is characterized by its soft focus and dramatic lighting, capturing the beauty and emotion of her subjects.

Cameras: Used large format cameras, specifically wet plate collodion process cameras.