Richard Avedon was born in New York City in 1923. He has worked for magazines like Harper's Bazaar (where he was a staff photographer from 1945-65) and Vogue (where he was a staff photographer from 1966-1990). Collections of his work have been exhibited in museums all over the world, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Isetan Museum in Tokyo, and the Art Institute of Chicago. Books of his images have been complimented with text by Truman Capote (in Observations) and James Baldwin (in Nothing Personal).
His list of awards includes:

  • 2000
    Photo District News: Most Influential Photographer
  • 2000
    Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, New York, Lifetime Achievement Award
  • 1998
    The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts
  • 1994
    EVIDENCE is awarded the Prix Nadar by the Bibliotheque Nationale for the best photographic book 1994
  • 1993
    International Center of Photography Master of Photography Award
  • 1991
    Erna and Victor Hassleblad Foundation International Photography Prize
  • 1989
    Royal College of Art, London, Honorary Doctorate
  • 1989
    The Fashion Group International, Highest Achievement Award
  • 1987
    Harvard University, Certificate of Recognition, Visiting Artist 1986-87
  • 1985
    Eastman Kodak Award of Excellence as Commercial Television Director of the Year
  • 1985
    Maine Photographic Workshop Nikon Award for the Best Photographic Book of the Year
  • 1985
    American Society of Magazine Photographers, Photographer of the Year
  • 1976
    The Family, National Magazine Award for Visual Excellence
  • 1958
    Popular Photography magazine, one of the World's Ten Greatest Photographers
  • 1950
    Art Directors Club, New York, Highest Achievement Medal Award
  • 1941
    Poet Laureate of New York City High Schools (The New York Times, May 24, 1941)

  • (http://www.richardavedon.com)