Arthur Elgort Lauren

One of the world’s most frequently imitated photographers, Arthur Elgort is a tireless innovator known for his lively “snapshot” style. He has freelanced for a range of top-tier magazines and luxury brands, and is credited with introducing movement and an emphasis on the wonders of natural light to the realm of fashion photography.

Born in 1940 in New York City, Elgort attended Stuyvesant High School and later studied painting at Hunter College before turning to photography. “I started as a painter, but I was a bad copy of Franz Kline,” explained Elgort in an interview with the New York Times. “I couldn’t draw. But I thought, ‘If I had a camera, I could capture something.’ So, I became a photographer.” 

Elgort’s career began as a photo assistant to Swedish fashion photographer Gösta Peterson. He shot his first cover photo for Mademoiselle magazine. However, a series of groundbreakingly candid black and white photos Elgort took of a model playing with a dog for British Vogue in 1971 cemented his status as a star in fashion photography. 

Elgort’s relaxed technique, which sees him capturing breezy images of models in what appear to be candid moments, was a refreshing and welcome change to the stiff and staged studio shoots that were characteristic of fashion photography during the 1970s and 1980s. As a result, Elgort has taken some of the fashion industry’s most iconic portraits, particularly of supermodels Cindy Crawford, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Claudia Schiffer and Christy Turlington. 

For decades, Elgort has worked as a photographer at Vogue, and his striking black and white and color photos have also graced the pages of Rolling Stone, GQ and Glamour.

Elgort’s works are featured in galleries and museums around the world, including the International Center of Photography in New York City, the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Find vintage Arthur Elgort photography on 1stDibs.

There’s a lot to love about black and white photography.

The unique and timeless quality of a black and white photograph accentuates any room. Some might argue that we’re naturally drawn to color photography because it’s the world we know best. This is a shared belief, particularly in the era of camera-phone photography, editing apps and the frenetic immediacy of sharing photos on social media. But when we look at black and white photography, we experience deep, rich shadows and tonal properties in a way that transfixes us. Composition and textures are crisp and engaging. We’re immediately drawn to the subjects of vintage street photography and continue to feel the emotional impact of decades-old photojournalism. The silhouettes of mountains in black and white landscape photography are particularly pronounced, while portrait photography and the skylines of urban cityscapes come to life in monochrome prints.

When decorating with fine photography, keep in mind that some color photographs may not be suitable for every space. However, you can be more daring with black and white photos. The gray tones are classic, sophisticated and generally introduce elegance to any corner of your home, which renders black and white prints amazingly versatile.

Black and white photography adapts to its surroundings like a chameleon might. A single large-scale black and white photograph above the sofa in your living room is going to work with any furniture style, and as some homeowners and designers today are working to introduce more muted tones and neutral palettes to dining rooms and bedrooms, the integration of black and white photography — a hallmark of minimalist decor — is a particularly natural choice for such a setting.

Another advantage to bringing black and white photography into your home is that you can style walls and add depth and character without worrying about disrupting an existing color scheme. Black and white photographs actually harmonize well with accent colors such as yellow, red and green. Your provocative Memphis Group lighting and bold Pierre Paulin seating will pair nicely with the black and white fine nude photography you’ve curated over the years.

Black and white photography also complements a variety of other art. Black and white photos pair well with drawings and etchings in monochromatic hues. They can also form part of specific color schemes. For example, you can place black and white prints in colored picture frames for a pop of color. And while there are no hard and fast rules, it’s best to keep black and white prints separate from color photographs. Color prints stand out in a room more than black and white prints do. Pairing them may detract attention from your black and white photography. Instead, dedicate separate walls or spaces to each.

Once you’ve selected the photography that best fits your space, you’ll need to decide how to hang the images. If you want to hang multiple photos, it’s essential to know how to arrange wall art. A proper arrangement can significantly enhance a living space.

On 1stDibs, explore a vast collection of compelling black and white photography by artists such as Mark Shaw, Jack Mitchell (a photographer you should know), Berenice Abbott and David Yarrow.