10 Portrait Photographers Whose Work You’ll Absolutely Love

Background image of Imogen Cunningham - Self-portrait with a camera (1920) generously provided for free on Flickr via CEA+

Here are 10 portrait photographers whose work you'll absolutely love and want to replicate if you're a portrait photographer. This list includes some of the photographers whose work has influenced my own portrait photography.

One thing to understand is that portrait photographers are quickly forgotten. Because, unlike other types of photography, portrait photography is of it's time.

Landscape photos can remain popular for centuries. Even old cityscapes enjoy longevity. However, portraits are often more quickly forgotten. This is due to the fact that their subjects often become lost to history.

In face, even if the portrait subject remains historically famous the photographer may be forgotten. After all, those photos are remembered for the subject. This is true even if the photographer was renowned in their day.

I've been a portrait photographer for more than 20 years. I've loved the art and trade of portrait photography for even longer. In no particular order, here is my list of 10 portrait photographers whose work I know you'll love.

Whose Missing

Before we begin, I need to say something. Firstly, you can find thousands of similar lists. Because all portrait photographers have their heros. That said, many of the lists feature the same famous photographers. As a result, you likely already know who Annie Leibovitz and Richard Avedon are.

To be clear, I'm not saying their work isn't amazing. In fact, they're on so many lists for a reason. However, I want to introduce you to some names you should know but might not.

My Top 10 Portrait Photographers List

1. Imogen Cunningham
2. Gertrude Käsebier
3. Yousuf Karsh
4. Seydou Keïta
5. Moisei Nappelbaum
6. Boris Ignatovich
7. P. H. Polk
8. Dana Scruggs
9. Gauri Gill
10. Connor Hibbs

Imogen Cunningham

Imogen Cunningham is one of my photography heroes. Her wit and attitude were as amazing as her portraits.

One thing that I respect greatly about Imogen's work is her ability to place her subject in a scene. Looking at her work it's clear how much she understood the frame. As a result the scene always supports the subject. In much of her work it's almost subliminal. That is, it never draws attention. However, it tell you more than the subject alone can. That might seem simple and straightforward. In fact, that was a big push of f64, a photography collective she helped found. In addition to Imogen f64's founders included Edward Weston and Ansel Adams.

Too, Imogen, like many in this list of 10 amazing portrait photographers, didn't only take portraits. In fact some of her best known works are botanical. In addition to those her nudes also draw acclaim.

Find out more, see, and buy Imogen Cunningham's work on the website of the trust, run by her family, which bares her name.

Gertrude Käsebier

Gertrude Käsebier was a force in the portrait photography world. Her work is talked about less today. That's only due to how long she's been gone.

Gertrude's work should not be forgotten. Like Imogen Cunningham, whom was inspired by Gertrude, her portraits aim for direct simplicity. As a result the subjects are allowed to shine.

Gertrude's work was greatly respected and admired. Of course it took some time for her to be recognized. However once she was noticed she quickly shot to fame. Her work was highly sought after. She was asked to exhibit in prestigious shows. Plus she inspired generations of portrait photographers. In fact, I'm hoping her work will continue to do so.

Find more of Gertrude Käsebier's work at MOMA. Too, you can read more about Gertrude's amazing work and life at the Library of Congress.

Yousuf Karsh

You may know who Yousuf Karsh is. Of course that may depend on your age. Yousuf was the portrait photographer famous for taking Winston Churchill's cigar from him.

He photographed the most famous figures of the middle of the 20th century. The future Queen Elizabeth, Ernest Hemingway, Dali, Einstein, JFK, and so many more.

Yousuf's portraits show a mastery of lighting. His lighting is often replicated. However, he was innovative in his approach. Too, his work is never stale. Each portrait he produced was unique. Even his studio portraits are never repetitive. Many of his portraits outline the subject, using shadow and bright highlights to create a contrast that draws you in. Yousuf was also not afraid to be experimental using different lighting modifiers in unique ways.

You can view Yousuf's amazing work at Karsh.org.

Seydou Keïta

Seydou Keïta was a Malian portrait photographer. His portraits of individuals and families in Mali during the middle of the 20th Century are amazing. Drawing inspiration from the textile of Mali and greater West Africa his work features an incredible array of local and international styles.

His work is attention grabbing. The contrast and vibrancy that shines through, even though the portraits are B&W is undeniable.

In addition his poses create an even more dynamic look to his portraits. At the same time they give a distinct impression of who the subject is. One reason for this is that these are Seydou's clients. Unlike Yousuf, who was often on assignment, Seydou was being paid directly from his clients. Ultimately that relationship matters.

 View more of Seydou Keïta's work here.

Moisei Nappelbaum

Moisei Nappelbaum is one of the most famous Soviet portrait photographers. That said, because he was working in the USSR, his name is lesser known in the West. Moisei, like Yousuf Karsh, made portraits of the elites. In Moisei's case, of course, it was Soviet elites.

He created many of the most iconic portraits in the early days of the USSR. His portrait of Lenin was widely reproduced. In addition to politicians he photographed many giant of Soviet culture including Maxim Gorky and Sergei Eisenstein.

What you won't find in Nappelbaums photos are typical poses. In fact his portrait poses are always dynamic. In that sense they're similar to Keïta's. He's quoted on the Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center's website as considering portraits a, "book of the human face."

There are not a lot of English language websites that show his work but Google images are full of his amazing portraits. Too, if you use Google Translate you can find a great collection of his work in Russian language websites (including the Jewish Museum mentioned above).

Boris Ignatovich

Boris Ignatovich was also a Soviet photographer. He's better known for his role and influence in the Constructionists art movement. However his portrait work is incredible and worthy of study.

It is important to note that much of Boris's portraits are editorial. That is, they were done while working as a journalist. Because of this his work is less about the individual. In fact it's mostly about the role they play in the photo and the story.

Boris's work focused on the establishment of the new Soviet society. Because of this his portraits are of working people.

Unfortunately the website dedicated to his work is not secure. Too, the majority of his portraits are hidden behind a login. Thankfully his place in history along with the likes of Alexander Rodchenko made a significant enough impact in the west. Therefore his work can be found widely in Western museum collections. However, much of what is available are not portraits.

P. H. Polk

Prentice Herman, or P. H. Polk was an American portrait photographer. His understanding of light and use of contrast makes his work stand out.

 P.H. spent most of his career in Tuskegee Alabama. He studied and later taught at the Tuskegee Institute.

P.H. lived and worked in Tuskegee during the middle of the 20th century. This allowed him to document the Civil Rights Movement as it happened in deeply racist Alabama.

As a result of his position as official photographer for Tuskegee he created portraits of many of the most influential Black speakers and activists of the day. P.H. photographed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and George Washington Carver along with Muhammad Ali, and even First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.

His portraits also feature working class Black Americans. Most well known among these were his portraits of older Black working class people in Alabama.

View examples of his work at the International Center of Photography's website.

Dana Scruggs

© 2020 Dana Scruggs

Dana Scruggs is a contemporary photographer. In my opinion she's redefining editorial portraiture. What I mean is her posing, light, color, focal length and the emotions she inspires all feel new.

Of course "new" doesn't sound like that big of a deal but when you consider how long portrait photography has been around, trust me, it's a very big deal.

It's possible to trace some of her style to other photographers, even some mentioned above. However her work is in no way derivative. It's fresh. Too, her subjects are presented in ways that leaves no doubt about what she's saying.

If you're interested in creating portraits that tell stories you'll want to follow Dana on Instagram. Too you can see her work on her website at DanaScruggs.com.

Gauri Gill

Gauri Gill is a contemporary photographer from India. Her work spans a few genres from fine art to documentary. That said, portraiture is a big part of all of her photography.

Many of the photographers I mentioned above are celebrated for pushing portrait photography in new directions. Gauri's work focuses more on her subjects and telling stories which otherwise go untold. For example, her work in rural Rajasthan gives viewers a look at rural India that is otherwise ignored, especially in the west.

Gauri's focus on the subject over novel compositions allows the subject to take center stage. As a result her photos seem inviting. Too, the viewer's mind is free to focus on the content of the photo over it's style.

The project of Gauri's that first caught my attention was The Americans. At a time when South Asian representation in American media was disgraceful she traveled the US photographing Indian immigrants. As a result she created a collection of portraits depicting lives otherwise ignored by America's dominant culture.

 You can find Gauri's work on her website as well as on Instagram but her account is private.

Connor Hibbs

Connor Hibbs is the last of our 10 portrait photographers. That said, he's certainly not the least. Like Gauri and Dana, Connor is a contemporary photographer.

One thing I adore about his work is how he plays with light. He reminds us that the light is an important part of his work. Connor does that by expertly placing light beams and shadows.

In addition he uses other ephemeral things. For example, he uses smoke and dust in a similarly playful way. Connor's work can be described as painterly. Too, Connor's use of color is noteworthy. As a result no matter if it's bold or downplayed, the color always adds to his portraits.

You can find Connor's work on his website. Too he's on Instagram.