Biography

Born in Berlin in 1920, Helmut Newton achieved international fame as a fashion photographer in the 1970s while working principally for French Vogue. Known for the precise glamour of his photographs as well as the striking, often controversial scenarios he chooses for his models. Much of his inspiration derived from the daily newspapers, real life situations or paparazzi shots. Most striking was his ability to make a thoroughly planned photograph seem fresh and dynamic. His portraits of the beautiful, the rich, the famous and infamous have amplified his ever-so-real fantasy world. 

The majority of Newton's work was shot in the streets or in interiors; he always said "A woman does not live in front of white paper. She lives on the street, in a motor car, in a hotel room". He was inspired by the German documentary photographer Erich Salomon, by Brassaï with whom he established a friendship and by Aleksander Rodchenko.

Living in France from 1960, then Monaco from 1980, he wintered for over thirty years with his wife June (the portrait photographer Alice Springs) in Los Angeles where he died following a heart attack in 2004. Just before his death he founded the Helmut Newton Foundation in Berlin with June. It opened shortly after his death to much critical acclaim and is one of the most visited photographic museums in Europe. 

Helmut Newton's work continues to be as distinctive and influential as ever.

Tiggy Maconochie represented Helmut Newton & then his Estate for 35 years - Please now contact the Helmut Newton Foundation, Berlin for licensing and requests.