This is the definitive biography of a name known to many, but not as acclaimed as it deserves. Avedon's ability to create appealing and accessible images with technical perfection was truly remarkable. This biolgraphy takes some time even getting to his career, though--you walk away knowing more about not only photography, not only Avedon and his subjects, but the zeitgeist of his era and the many people who played roles in his world. I found myself envying his date of birth and address book nearly as much as his talent. What a remarkable time to be a photographer.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

This is certainly the biography Avedon deserved, a rich and complex book about an underappreciated genius. I have had a complex relationship with his work since I first discovered his books and magazine work some 50 years ago. What, at first, seemed exploitative and shallow over a very short time revealed itself as extraordinarily insightful and technically perfect. I recommend this book highly to anyone who wants to understand how driven to perfection Avedon was and what it cost him.

Fascinating account of not only Avedon's life but the circle of artists and notable people around him. It was a bit frustrating that it took a while to get to his photography but the trade off was that it was a rich portrait of his life and times.

Avedon’s photographs mesmerize and captivate and photography critic Philip Gefter follows suit with this well researched and absorbing biography.
Richard Avedon began his love affair with photography at the age of nine with a Brownie camera. Focused and driven, he would work for Harpers Bazaar and Vogue. His vision transformed the world of fashion photography and yet he fought to gain acceptance and to be taken seriously as an artist. The stunning detail of his black and white photographs captured the essence of his subjects often not seen before (The Beatles, Andy Warhol, Marilyn Monroe to mention a few). Gefter takes us behind the scenes with stories of the models, fashion shoots and his renowned portraits of the cultural icons of the 1950’s and 60’s. Truman Capote, Mike Nichols and Leonard Bernstein were also considered his close friends.
Throughout his life he faced personal demons, the complexity of marriage, fatherhood, friendship, homosexuality and wanting to be considered more than just a ‘celebrity photographer‘.
This book is the definitive biography of Richard Avedon. He is revealed layer by layer and with great attention to detail, he comes to life on the page.
My thanks to NetGalley, Harper Books and Philip Gefter for an ARC of this highly recommended book.

An exhaustive and engrossing biography of Richard Avedon, one of the most iconic photographers of the last century. The book covers his life from childhood, growing up on Long Island under a stern and icy father figure, his fast-moving career in fashion photography, complex relationships with friends and family and the inner demons that haunted him.

Avedon developed an interest in photography at the age of nine when he began to photograph his sister with a Brownie camera. Driven and focused, he was determined to work at Harper's Bazaar magazine and his dream materialized after an aggressive push to ingratiate himself into the company fold by getting acquainted with the art director Alexey Brodovitch who, in turn, introduced him to editor Carmel Snow. Under the tutelage of Brodovitch and Snow (whom he identified as parental figures) as well as "eccentric aunt" Diana Vreland, Avedon quickly moved up the ladder, first working at Junior Bazaar (an offshoot of Harper's) and eventually becoming the successor to George Hoyningen-Huene. Avedon's first magazine cover appeared in 1947 just as Dior was taking the fashion world by storm.

The stories behind some of Avedon's most popular photos are all here, from how he achieved his most memorable fashion shots (like model Dovima posed alongside a pair of elephants) to his renowned portraits of celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, Marian Anderson, Rudolph Nureyev, Isac Dinesen, Andy Warhol and the Beatles. There are also wonderful stories and anecdotes about his relationships with the famous models he worked with, like Dorian Leigh, Suzy Parker, Twiggy, Lauren Hutton, Penelope Tree and China Malcado. He also cultivated friendships with Leonard Bernstein, Truman Capote and Mike Nichols (which developed into an affair that lasted a decade).

As successful as Avedon became, he was plagued by doubts about his work not being taken seriously and tirelessly worked to make the critics and the world look at his work as art. He also struggled with his homosexuality and was paranoid about people finding out (he would accompany his date to the theater but insisted that they sit several rows apart from each other). He was married twice, first to model and actress Doe Newell and later Evelyn Franklin (who was formerly married to photographer Milton Greene). Despite his friendly and caring nature, his relationships to his wife and children suffered, mainly because of his workaholic habits.

Meticulously researched and excellently crafted, this is a wonderful read for anyone interested in celebrity, photography and the fashion world.