Patrick Demarchelier: biography, work, photo

Modern standards of beauty dictate gloss. We see models on the covers, but we do not even think about what a huge industry and what people are behind it. Patrick Demarchelier - one of those who were at the origins of fashion photography.

Youth Demarchelier

At the end of the hot August 1943 in the suburbs of Paris, occupied by the Germans, a future photographer was born, whose name is destined to go down in history - Patrick Demarchelier. His biography seems cloudless, but, like every man, he had his ups and downs. The boy spent his childhood with his family in the port town of Le Havre, in the north of the country. In addition to Patrick, there were four other brothers in the family. The upbringing of the children was completely on the shoulders of the mother. My father left the family when Patrick was 8 years old. Soon the mother remarried, and her stepfather played a big role in the life of the future photographer. It was he who gave him an old Kodak for seventeen years, after which the young man declared that he had found the cause of his life. As a rule, when a child talks about the desire to devote his life to art, this is pretty distressing for his parents. But the family of Patrick was only happy, because at school he learned badly, and his fate was vague.

Beginning photographer

Patrick Demarchelier started his career in his hometown in a very prosaic position. He photographed people on the passport. Occasionally, orders for wedding photos were turned up. Of course, his ambitions could not satisfy this, and at the age of 20 Patrick began an independent life in Paris. Here he gets a job in the studio, where he takes newspaper photos. Young talent was appreciated, and soon Demarchelier received the position of assistant photographer responsible for magazine covers. In parallel with this work, he holds the position of a full-time photographer in a large modeling agency.

One of the best photographers of photography was then Hans Foerer. He collaborated with many magazines - Nova UK, French and British Vogue. In 1964, his assistant was Patrick Demarchelier. Photos of the master inspired him, he always spoke of Hans as his teacher. Patrick has never been trained professionally, his school was a practice, and it was Foirer who told him about the basics of the craft. Soon, Demarchelier becomes one of the most popular photographers.

America

The beginning of the 1970s. The heyday of advertising and glossy photography. In many magazines you can see the signature: "Patrick Demarchelier". The work of the photographer is a great success at home. He collaborates with Marie Claire, Elle, Glamor, 20 Ans. For a thirty-year-old photographer, this is a huge success. It would seem, what else do you want? But in 1975 he followed his beloved woman to America. Although the lady soon left him, Demarchelier did not regret moving. He signed a contract with the American Vogue.

At that time, the magazine resolutely abandoned the exquisite delights of the 60s. Listening to the spirit of the times, the editor is looking for new images - not refined, but close to the ordinary woman, natural. A modern girl should radiate health, love life, be sporty and fit. It was his models that Patrick Demarchelier saw. The cover photo for Vogue with Bonnie Bergman is considered one of the iconic for the magazine. A young tanned woman with a short haircut is standing on the seashore, casually passing her hands into the gym rings. The shooting took place in Barbados, we needed an energetic sports story. Unfortunately, they forgot to take care of the inventory, and we had to make it ourselves using improvised means. About Bergman at that time very few people heard, but after the famous cover, it was quoted as one of the best models. With this photo in the glossy world came the aesthetics of sports and the cult of a tight, flexible body. At that time it was a revolution.

The heyday of a career

With the move to America, Patrick Demarchelier became a truly famous photographer. He lives in New York and cooperates with a solid list of magazines. The most influential publications are not averse to getting his work. In 1980, he ceases to cooperate with the American Vogue and goes to the British branch. But in 1989, again returns to Vogue US, and on the front cover after a long break appears a frame from a beach photo shoot with Madonna. In the same year, Demarchelier saw the Princess Diana and invited him to the position of the official photographer of the royal family. For the first time this honorable post was taken by a foreigner.

In 1992, Demarchelier removed the cover for the jubilee hundredth issue of Vogue. On it, he captured the top 10 models of the magazine, including Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Tatiana Patits, Claudia Schiffer. It was one of the most successful releases in the history of Vogue.

Patrick Demarchelier also works with Christy Turlington, Claudia Schiffer, Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford, Janet Jackson, Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman. He takes part in the advertising campaigns of Lacoste, Louis Vuitton, Celine, Dior, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein. Publications appear in Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Rolling Stone, Mademoiselle, Glamor, GQ and Allure. His works are decorated with 3 Pirelli calendars. To date, it is one of the most successful photographers in the world.

Style of Demarchelier

Despite the abundance of staging work in the portfolio of the master, he always claimed that he cultivated the naturalness in the frame. Demarchelier often says that he tries to level the barrier in the form of a camera between the photographer and the model. When shooting, he tries to emphasize emotion, a casual look, a tilt of the head, a living immediacy. Even in the shortcomings of the model, Demarchelier sees beauty and grace. Women in his works are beautiful in their naturalness and spontaneity. The photographer sees the secret of his skill in tireless work. And, looking at his biography, you understand that the words about hard work in this case is not at all an empty phrase. Glory has not spoiled the master, as often happens in the gloss industry.

Albums

The photographer released four albums with his works. The first was released in 1995. It was called laconically: "Patrick Demarchelier: photos." Typically, these art albums are issued in a circulation of up to 3000 copies. The circulation of the Demarchelier edition was 12,000, and a year later it was necessary to print an additional 5,000. The second book, The Discovery of Elegance, was published in 1997. The next album was "Forms." All three books were reprinted many times, and 10 years later, in 2008, there was a publication with new photos. It was named the same as the first, and enjoyed even greater success.

To date, the master continues to work, despite a rather respectable age. In the footsteps of his father went his youngest son, who himself is engaged in photography and helps his father in his studio. Patrick Demarchelier is one of the patriarchs of photography, thanks to the works of which many famous models have become famous and important historical figures were immortalized on the film.