The Most Iconic Photographers Who Inspire My Work

Photography is more than just capturing a moment—it’s about creating a world, evoking emotion, and telling a story. As a photographer, my artistic vision has been shaped by some of the most legendary photographers in the industry. Their bold creativity, masterful use of lighting, and fearless storytelling have profoundly influenced my own work.



Whether it’s fashion photography, editorial shoots, or fine art nude photography, these photographers have left a lasting impact on my artistic approach.

1. Steven Klein – The Dark & Avant-Garde Visionary

A surreal high-fashion portrait by Steven Klein featuring Nicki Minaj with blue skin, pink hair, and a bold red outfit, showcasing Klein’s signature cinematic and avant-garde photography style.
A high-fashion editorial by Steven Klein featuring a model in a dramatic, colorful floral outfit with bold makeup, surrounded by layers of fabric and an urban backdrop, showcasing Klein’s signature avant-garde style.
A surreal high-fashion editorial by Steven Klein featuring two models wearing eerie white masks, one lounging poolside and the other seated on a chair, creating a haunting and cinematic visual aesthetic.

🔹 Style: High fashion, surrealism, provocative storytelling

🔹 Notable Work: Madonna’s X-Static Process, Lady Gaga’s Alejandro, W Magazine editorials

Steven Klein is a master of dark, cinematic storytelling. His ability to blend fashion with eerie, almost dystopian narratives has deeply inspired my approach to editorial photography. His work often pushes boundaries, using unconventional lighting and set design to create striking, high-impact imagery.

💡 How He Inspires My Work:

• The use of moody, high-contrast lighting in my own photography.

• Editorial storytelling that feels immersive and cinematic.

• The ability to create bold, boundary-pushing narratives in fine art nude photography.

📷 See More: Steven Klein’s Portfolio


2. David LaChapelle – The King of Hyper-Realism & Pop Culture

Iconic David LaChapelle photoshoot of Britney Spears for Rolling Stone, featuring her in polka-dot shorts, a black bra, and a Teletubby plush on a pink satin bed, capturing LaChapelle’s signature high-gloss pop-art aesthetic.
A surreal fashion editorial photograph by David LaChapelle featuring an oversized inflatable burger crushing a model's legs, embodying his signature pop-art and high-saturation style.
A surreal high-fashion editorial by David LaChapelle featuring a model in a bubble-inspired outfit surrounded by nude figures in a pink-lit bubble bath setting, embodying his signature pop-art style.

🔹 Style: High-saturation, surrealism, camp aesthetics

🔹 Notable Work: Britney Spears’ Rolling Stone cover, Heaven to Hell book, Elton John’s The Red Piano tour visuals

David LaChapelle’s signature colorful, surreal, pop-art-inspired photography is legendary. His ability to create larger-than-life editorial shoots filled with social commentary, humor, and exaggerated aesthetics speaks to my love for visually immersive storytelling.

💡 How He Inspires My Work:

• Bold color palettes and larger-than-life set design.

• Creating images that feel both high fashion and cinematic.

• Balancing camp, satire, and fine art photography in my work.



🔥 Personal Connection: I had the incredible opportunity to photograph David LaChapelle himself, and my headshot of him was later used in Vogue.

📷 See More: David LaChapelle’s Work



3. Annie Leibovitz – The Queen of Cinematic Portraiture

A famous portrait of Whoopi Goldberg by Annie Leibovitz, featuring Goldberg playfully submerged in a bathtub filled with milk, showcasing Leibovitz’s signature bold and conceptual photography style.
An iconic portrait of Demi Moore by Annie Leibovitz for Vanity Fair, featuring Moore nude and pregnant in a groundbreaking maternity photoshoot that redefined celebrity photography.

🔹 Style: Celebrity portraiture, cinematic lighting, storytelling

🔹 Notable Work: Vanity Fair celebrity portraits, Rolling Stone covers, Disney Dream Portraits series

Annie Leibovitz is the gold standard for celebrity photography with a cinematic, storytelling-driven approach. Her portraits feel as though they capture a full story in a single frame, using dramatic lighting and composition to create depth.

💡 How She Inspires My Work:

• Cinematic storytelling through editorial photography.

• Mastering light and shadow to craft depth in portraits.

• The ability to make even a simple portrait feel like a scene from a film.

📷 See More: Annie Leibovitz’s Portfolio

4. Mark Seliger – The Iconic Editorial & Celebrity Photographer

A moody black-and-white portrait of Keith Richards by Mark Seliger, featuring the legendary Rolling Stones guitarist smoking a cigarette, embodying his rebellious rockstar persona.

🔹 Style: Editorial, moody portraits, music & fashion photography

🔹 Notable Work: Rolling Stone covers (Nirvana, Madonna, Johnny Cash), Vanity Fair portraits

Mark Seliger is known for his raw yet polished approach to editorial photography. His portraits have an intimate, timeless quality that captures authenticity while feeling iconic.

💡 How He Inspires My Work:

• The ability to capture personality and emotion in editorial photography.

• Creating striking yet natural fine art nude imagery.

• The balance between classic portraiture and contemporary high fashion.

📷 See More: Mark Seliger’s Work

How These Photographers Influence My Work Today

Each of these legendary photographers has shaped my creative approach in unique ways. Whether it’s Steven Klein’s dark surrealism, David LaChapelle’s high-energy pop art, Annie Leibovitz’s cinematic portraits, or Mark Seliger’s timeless editorial style, their influence can be seen in the way I craft narrative-driven, visually striking photography.

Want to see how these legends inspire my work? Check out my photography portfolio and follow me on Instagram for more behind-the-scenes content.

Want to See My Work?

📸 Visit my portfolio: www.DevinDygertPhotography.com

📷 Follow me on Instagram: @DevinShotMe

Studying these photographers has taught me the importance of pushing creative boundaries, crafting immersive imagery, and telling deeper stories through photography. Whether you’re a fellow photographer, an art lover, or someone looking for inspiration, I hope this glimpse into my influences helps you see the magic behind iconic imagery.

👀 Who are your favorite photographers? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear who inspires you!

Devin Dygertlegendary photographers, best editorial photographers, fashion photography inspiration, fine art nude photography, high fashion editorial photographyComment