In a world full of amazing photographers and artists, it’s hard to pick only a handful that inspires me every day. These women are true artists in the field and I am so excited to celebrate them and their craft on International Women’s Day.
It is nearly impossible to write a photography article without talking about Annie Leibovitz. If there is anybody who inspires me most on a daily basis, it would be her. Not only is she a larger-than-life photographer, but also she is an amazing storyteller and can make any photograph look like a work of art. Her photos are completely compelling and almost everyone has seen snippets of her photography throughout the years.
Leibovitz is most well-known for her celebrity portrait photos that grace the covers of magazines like Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair and Vogue. She has such a brilliant and subtle way of capturing candid moments that they almost feel staged. Her past clients include Kim and Kanye West, John Lennon and even Hailey and Justin Beiber—the list could go on.
When I think of adventure and thrill, I think of Vanessa Andrieux. Looking through her photos, you can tell how much work and skill she puts into her shots.
Andrieux is most known for her snowboarding pictures, but her recent shots could be put into the lifestyle or even travel categories. Her wide variety of photos makes it so easy to get inspired by her. The passion she has for the adventure of the outdoors is also something I do not see in every photographer.
Did you know that if you search Red Bull photographers, there are only a handful of women that pop up? Amber Mozo is one of these amazing photographers and spends most of her time in the water. The best part? She is only 23 years old.
I came across Mozo through a Red Bull Youtube Channel that talked about her journey to capture surfers in her photography. From then on, she immediately had my attention. Not only does she inspire me because she is my age, but also she captures some of the most dangerous shots in sports history and makes it look easy.
A true photography icon and one of America’s most renowned photographers, Sally Mann has received countless awards and films made about her, and, in my mind, is so underrated in this day in age.
Mann was first best known for her simple black and white shots, but quickly became famous for her family portraits. While the photos may be simple, she captures so many tiny details into one photograph that makes it hard to look away. Like Leibovitz, Mann is a photography icon and one who inspires me every time I see her photos.
Artpil has a series every year that celebrates 30 women photographers under the age of 30. In 2019, I came across Iggy Smalls and have been an avid follower ever since. She has such an authenticity about her photographs that you can almost feel yourself taking the pictures yourself. She is an avid user of pastel colors, with pinks, teals and blues especially popping out in pictures.
Not only am I madly in love with her use of color, but also she shoots on film, which is something that has taken over a new generation of photographers. Smalls is a spontaneous shooter with a great eye and a fantastic sense of detail. Being so young, she is somebody I draw inspiration from in every picture she takes.
These are only some artists who inspire me not only on International Women’s Day, but also every day. There is a huge world of underrated female artists that should be explored at any given chance. Show some appreciation for the women who work hard to capture these beautiful moments!