Gary Oldman

Nigel Parry has photographed many of the most important and influential figures of the 20th and 21st centuries, including a wide range of A-list celebrities, models, athletes, politicians and other personalities. He has been commissioned by many noteworthy publications, advertising agencies and private companies across the globe. The trust from his subjects allows viewers to emotionally and intellectually connect with their humanity. Parry has said, “The only thing that is important is the person in front of me and what I’m trying to say about that person.”

Parry was born in 1961 in London, England. When he was 11, his father, an amateur photographer, drew Parry’s attention to photography by showing him his darkroom and how he made film, beginning Parry’s romance with the art.

Parry began his career as a graphic designer, employed by the publishing company Faber and Faber. The head of the company noticed Parry’s gift for photography and arranged for an exhibition of his portraits at the Groucho Club in London. 

Parry began photographing professionally in 1988 and, in 1994, moved to New York to further his career. His curiosity, creativity and courage soon led to renown for his black and white portraits. He subsequently published several books of his photography, including Sharp (2000), Precious (2004) and Blunt (2006). He also directed the music video for Charlie Mars’s “Meet Me By The Backdoor” in 2009. 

Parry’s awards include the European Magazine Award, the Award of Excellence from the Society for News Design, the American Society of Magazine Editors Portrait Award and the Hasselblad Masters Award. His portraits have been exhibited in the National Galleries of Scotland, the National Portrait Gallery in London, the New York Photo Festival and Le Festival Pour L'Image Perpignan in Paris.

On 1stDibs, find Nigel Parry’s black-and-white photography, portraits, landscapes and more.

Portrait photography can be a powerful part of your wall decor. Find a provocative and compelling portrait that speaks to you and you might find that the photograph will speak to your guests too.

Prior to the development of photography, which eventually replaced portrait paintings as a quicker and more efficient way of capturing a person’s essence, the subject of a portrait had to sit for hours until the painter had finished. In 1839, chemist and Philadelphia-based photographer Robert Cornelius didn’t have to wait very long for his portrait. In a matter of minutes, he captured what many believe to be the first portrait photograph. This shot was also the first self-portrait (or what we now call a “selfie”), and fine photography quickly became an art form.

Landscape photography, nude photography and portrait photography are very popular in today's modern interiors. A portrait can reveal a lot about the person in it. It can also add a narrative touch to your decor. You’ll often find that photographs of loved ones work well as decorative touches. A portrait of a family member or dear friend can help turn a house into a home, warming any space by evoking fond memories.

While family portraits can stir emotion, portraits of celebrities and important historical figures can also add a rich dynamic to your space. Portraits of famous musicians or intriguing actors hung in your dining room or home bar shot by Gered Mankowitz or Annie Leibovitz might inspire deep conversation over meals or drinks. Douglas Kirkland is also famous for his celebrity portraits. His photojournalism made him much sought after by Hollywood studios to document the filming of movies. In Kirkland’s powerful depiction of Hollywood stars, he excellently captures the glamour of their lives.

Other artists like Elliott Erwitt stand out by turning portraiture into a playful art form. Before graduating from high school in Hollywood, Erwitt had already begun to teach himself to take pictures, inspired by the work of Henri Cartier-Bresson. In image after image, Erwitt captured what photographers call “the moment” with rapier wit and penetrating humanity.

Portrait photography can be incredibly expressive, setting the tone and mood for a room. And there are different ways of incorporating portrait photography into your interior decor. If you’re thinking about adding color photography to a bedroom or living room, the colors of the portraits can become part of the room’s palette, while portraits shot in black and white won’t disrupt an existing color scheme.

On 1stDibs, find a vast selection of portrait photography from different eras, including 1950s portraits, 1960s portrait photography and more.