Markus Klinko is an award-winning fashion and pop culture photographer and film director who is renowned all over the world. The Swiss-born artist has worked with a wealth of legendary celebrities in music, film and fashion, and has created poignant and striking images that capture the essence of popular culture of the 2000s.
Klinko was initially interested in music. He was a classically trained harpist and studied at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris. Klinko was a featured solo performer with orchestras around the world, signed an exclusive recording contract with EMI Classics and was awarded the Grand Prix de Disque for his recording of French harp music with members of the orchestra of the Paris Opera Bastille.
In 1994, Klinko suffered a hand injury and chose to retire from recording and performing. Instead, he decided to take up fashion photography. He’d made friends in the industry over the years and his talent earned him assignments with the likes of the London Sunday Times and Interview magazine and other French and British fashion magazines. Klinko eventually met revered British rock star David Bowie because he was shooting Bowie’s wife — supermodel, entrepreneur and actress Iman.
In 2001, the photographer shot the cover of the book I Am Iman — Iman's book, which features contributions by David Bailey, Helmut Newton and others — and Bowie commissioned Klinko to photograph him for the cover of the singer’s 2002 album Heathen. Klinko and Bowie worked together again for the cover of GQ, and a 2001-era collection of never-before-seen images of the musician that Klinko shot called “Bowie Unseen” has garnered international critical acclaim.
Collaborating with digital post-production artist and photo editor Indrani, Klinko has created some of the most iconic album covers of the 21st century and has worked with American superstars Beyoncé, Britney Spears and Lady Gaga. Over the years, the photographer has worked for Vogue, Vanity Fair, Hugo Boss, L’Oréal Paris and many more. A campaign he shot for children with AIDS raised over one million dollars in merely three days. The book Icons: The Celebrity Exposures of Markus and Indrani was published in 2012.
Find original Markus Klinko portraits, nude photography and other photography on 1stDibs.
Price Upon Request
Emerald 2
By Markus Klinko
Located in Chicago, IL
Emerald 2, 2023 Printed By Weldon Color Lab on Fujicolor Crystal Archive Digital Pearl Paper Limited Edition 20x24” ed of 50 30x40” ed of 25 48x60” ed of 12 Hand Signed by Artis...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Gold
By Markus Klinko
Located in Chicago, IL
Gold, New York, 2003 Printed By Weldon Color Lab on Fujicolor Crystal Archive Digital Pearl Paper Limited Edition 20x24” ed of 50 30x40” ed of 25 48x60” ed of 12 Hand Signed by ...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
At The Pearly Gate
By Markus Klinko
Located in Chicago, IL
At The Pearly Gate, 2010 Printed By Weldon Color Lab on Fujicolor Crystal Archive Digital Pearl Paper Limited Edition 20x24” ed of 50 30x40” ed of 25 48x60” ed of 12 Hand Signed...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
The Cap
By Markus Klinko
Located in Chicago, IL
The Cap, 2023 Printed By Weldon Color Lab on Fujicolor Crystal Archive Digital Pearl Paper Limited Edition 20x24” ed of 50 30x40” ed of 25 48x60” ed of 12 Hand Signed by Artist ...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Rock Doll
By Markus Klinko
Located in Chicago, IL
Rock Doll, 2022 Printed By Weldon Color Lab on Fujicolor Crystal Archive Digital Pearl Paper Limited Edition 20x24” ed of 50 30x40” ed of 25 48x60” ed of 12 Hand Signed by Artis...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Raquel Zimmermann & Jasmine Guinness
By Markus Klinko
Located in Chicago, IL
Raquel Zimmermann & Jasmine Guinness, 2000 Printed By Weldon Color Lab on Fujicolor Crystal Archive Digital Pearl Paper Limited Edition 20x24” ed of 50 30x40” ed of 25 48x60” ed ...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Looking For You
By Markus Klinko
Located in Chicago, IL
Looking for You, 2018 Printed By Weldon Color Lab on Fujicolor Crystal Archive Digital Pearl Paper Limited Edition 20x24” ed of 50 30x40” ed of 25 48x60” e...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Looking For You
By Markus Klinko
Located in Chicago, IL
Looking for You, 2018 Printed By Weldon Color Lab on Fujicolor Crystal Archive Digital Pearl Paper Limited Edition 20x24” ed of 50 30x40” ed of 25 48x60” e...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Looking For You
By Markus Klinko
Located in Chicago, IL
Looking for You, 2018 Printed By Weldon Color Lab on Fujicolor Crystal Archive Digital Pearl Paper Limited Edition 20x24” ed of 50 30x40” ed of 25 48x60” e...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Natural Villains - superstar David Bowie in black clothing with wolf
By Markus Klinko
Located in Vienna, AT
Natural Villains is one of the centre pieces of Markus Klinko's Bowie Unseen Series: Although this iconic series was created with the use of body doubles and montage, the energy betw...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
David Bowie : The Descent in color
By Markus Klinko
Located in Austin, TX
Museum quality fine art print of David Bowie by photographer Markus Klinko, from his celebrated collection "Bowie Unseen"., released for the first time in 2016. This shot of David B...
C Print
Price Upon Request
David Bowie : Smoking
By Markus Klinko
Located in Austin, TX
Museum quality fine art print of David Bowie by photographer Markus Klinko, from his celebrated collection "Bowie Unseen", released for the first time in 2016. This shot of David Bo...
C Print
Price Upon Request
David Bowie : Heathen
By Markus Klinko
Located in Austin, TX
Museum quality fine art print of David Bowie by photographer Markus Klinko, from his celebrated collection "Bowie Unseen", released for the first time in 2016. This stunning shot of...
C Print
Price Upon Request
David Bowie : The Look
By Markus Klinko
Located in Austin, TX
Museum quality fine art print of David Bowie by photographer Markus Klinko, from his celebrated collection "Bowie Unseen", released for the first time in 2016. This stunning shot of...
C Print
Price Upon Request
David Bowie : Style
By Markus Klinko
Located in Austin, TX
Museum quality fine art print of David Bowie by photographer Markus Klinko, from his celebrated collection "Bowie Unseen", released for the first time in 2016. This shot of David Bo...
C Print
Price Upon Request
David Bowie : The Pack
By Markus Klinko
Located in Austin, TX
Museum quality fine art print of David Bowie by photographer Markus Klinko, from his celebrated collection "Bowie Unseen", released for the first time in 2016. This stunning shot of...
C Print
Price Upon Request
David Bowie : The Protector
By Markus Klinko
Located in Austin, TX
Museum quality fine art print of David Bowie by photographer Markus Klinko, from his celebrated collection "Bowie Unseen", released for the first time in 2016. This stunning shot of...
C Print
Price Upon Request
David Bowie : Meditation
By Markus Klinko
Located in Austin, TX
Museum quality fine art print of David Bowie by photographer Markus Klinko. This shot of David Bowie is from a shoot with Klinko in 2001. The original black and white version of thi...
C Print
Daphneg - The Lake - Ltd Ed of 12 - can ship framed or rolled
By Markus Klinko
Located in New York, NY
World-renowned photographer. 24x20 or 40x30 available. Ltd Editions. Framing options available as well. About the Artist: Markus Klinko is an award-winning, international f...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Brittany - Back - Ltd Ed of 12 - can ship rolled or framed
By Markus Klinko
Located in New York, NY
World-renowned photographer. Brittany Spears at her best. 24x20 or 40x30 available. Ltd Editions. Framing options available as well. About t...
Archival Pigment
Iman - The Fireplace - Ltd Ed of 12 - can ship framed or rolled
By Markus Klinko
Located in New York, NY
Iman at her best shot by world-renowned photographer. 24x20 or 40x30 available. Ltd Editions. Framing options available as well. About the Artist: Markus Klinko is an award...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Billie -Ltd Ed of 12 - can ship framed or rolled
By Markus Klinko
Located in New York, NY
Billie Eilish at her best shot by world-renowned photographer. 24x20 or 40x30 available. Ltd Editions. Framing options available as well. About ...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Paris Hilton - Ltd Ed of 12 - can ship rolled or framed
By Markus Klinko
Located in New York, NY
World-renowned photographer. Paris Hilton at her best. 24x20 or 40x30 available. Ltd Editions. Framing options available as well. About the Art...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Dita - Horses 2 - Lt Ed of 12 - can ship rolled or framed
By Markus Klinko
Located in New York, NY
Dita at her best shot by world-renowned photographer. 24x20 or 40x30 available. Ltd Editions. Framing options available as well. About the Artist: Markus Klinko is an award...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Vines Markus Klinko Limited Estate Edition
By Markus Klinko
Located in London, GB
Vines Photo by Markus Klinko Limited Estate Edition Nude covered with vines and ivy. C Print Produced from the original transparency Certificate of authenticity supplied Paper ...
C Print
Price Upon Request
Natural Villains - Bowie and friend - Ltd Ed of 12 - can ship framed or rolled
By Markus Klinko
Located in New York, NY
Bowie and Friend shot by world-renowned photographer. 24x20 or 40x30 available. Ltd Editions. Framing options available as well. About the Artist: Markus Klinko is an award...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Beyonce - Dangerously in Love - Ltd Ed of 12 - can ship framed or rolled
By Markus Klinko
Located in New York, NY
Beyonce at her best shot by world-renowned photographer. 24x20 or 40x30 available. Ltd Editions. Framing options available as well. About the Artist: Markus Klinko is an aw...
Archival Pigment
Carmen - The Cards - Ltd Ed of 12 - can ship rolled or framed
By Markus Klinko
Located in New York, NY
Carmen at her best shot by world-renowned photographer. 24x20 or 40x30 available. Ltd Editions. Framing options available as well. About the Artist: Markus Klinko is an awa...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Kim - Ltd Ed of 12 - can ship rolled or framed
By Markus Klinko
Located in New York, NY
Kim at her best in provocative pose in coffin - shot by world-renowned photographer. 24x20 or 40x30 available. Ltd Editions. Framing options available as well. About the Art...
Archival Pigment
Mariah Carey - Chiffon - can ship rolled or framed Ltd Ed of 12
By Markus Klinko
Located in New York, NY
Mariah Carey at her best shot by world-renowned photographer. 24x20 or 40x30 available. Ltd Editions. Framing options available as well. About th...
Archival Pigment
Daphneg - Paris Window - Lt Ed of 12 - can ship rolled or framed
By Markus Klinko
Located in New York, NY
Daphneg at her best shot by world-renowned photographer. 24x20 or 40x30 available. Ltd Editions. Framing options available as well. About the Artist: Markus Klinko is an aw...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Lady Gaga - Framed - Ltd Ed of 12
By Markus Klinko
Located in New York, NY
Lady Gaga at her best shot by world-renowned photographer. Signed and framed. About the Artist: Markus Klinko is an award-winning, international fashion/celebrity photographer a...
Archival Pigment