Herb Ritts

Herb Ritts was born on August 13, 1952, in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in a well-to-do family known for their involvement in the furniture business. Herb developed an early interest in photography and art, which he pursued more seriously in his adult life. This laid the foundation for his later success as a renowned fashion photographer.

In 1978, Herb Ritts took a photograph of a then-unknown Richard Gere while on a road trip. This photograph gained significant attention and is often considered Ritts' breakthrough work. The image's success sparked his interest in pursuing photography as a career, eventually leading him to become one of the most celebrated photographers in the fashion industry.

By 1981, Herb Ritts had established himself as a prominent photographer in the fashion industry, known for his distinctive, artful imagery of celebrities and fashion models. His work began appearing in major magazines such as Vogue and Vanity Fair, which cemented his status as a foremost celebrity photographer of the era.

In 1984, Herb Ritts shot the iconic Calvin Klein 'Obsession' campaign, featuring model Kate Moss. This campaign was pivotal in Ritts' career as it showcased his ability to create captivating and sensual images that effectively marketed luxury brands. His work on this campaign helped redefine fashion photography and advertising.

In 1989, Herb Ritts made his mark in the music video industry by directing Cher's hit song 'If I Could Turn Back Time.' The video, shot aboard the USS Missouri, was notable for its bold and controversial visuals. This project marked Ritts' successful transition into directing music videos, where he continued to apply his artistic flair.

Herb Ritts directed the music video for Michael Jackson's 'In the Closet,' released on December 3, 1991. The video featured supermodel Naomi Campbell and showcased Ritts' signature black-and-white style. It was praised for its artistic and sensual approach, contributing to the song's success and further establishing Ritts as a visionary in video direction.

In 1993, Herb Ritts' photography was showcased in a major exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. The exhibition featured Ritts' iconic portraits and fashion photography, highlighting his impact on the visual arts. It attracted a large audience and cemented Ritts' status as a significant figure in contemporary photography.

February 1996 saw the publication of 'Herb Ritts: Pictures,' a comprehensive book of his work that includes many of his famous portraits and fashion photographs. The book not only highlights Ritts' unique style but also serves as a visual anthology of his career, showcasing his contributions to fashion and popular culture.

Herb Ritts passed away on December 26, 2002, due to complications from pneumonia. His death marked the end of a prolific career in photography and video direction. Ritts left behind a legacy of extraordinary artistic work that influenced both the fashion world and popular music, and he is remembered as a master of modern photography.

A retrospective of Herb Ritts' work opened at the Getty Center on March 11, 2012. The exhibition, titled 'Herb Ritts: L.A. Style,' featured more than 100 photographs, including both his iconic celebrity portraits and his lesser-known fine art work. The retrospective celebrated Ritts' unique vision and his contributions to both art and fashion photography.