Occupation Photographer Parents John F. Avedon Role Photographer | Name Michael Avedon Website michaelavedon.com | |
 | ||
Relatives Richard AvedonDaniel Patrick Moynihan Grandparents Richard Avedon, Evelyn Franklin Great-grandparents Jacob Israel Avedon, Anna Avedon Similar People Emma Kathleen Ferrer, Richard Avedon, Charlotte Moss, Carine Roitfeld, Sean Hepburn Ferrer | ||
Michael Avedon (born January 16, 1991) is an American photographer living in New York City. Avedon began experimenting with photography in 2006, and in 2012 was named in Forbes Magazine's 30 Under 30 list of up-and-coming artists. Avedon's commercial work consists primarily of fashion photography, including work for Louis Vuitton, Calvin Klein, Harper's Bazaar, CR Fashion Book, and Dazed & Confused. His personal work is predominantly portrait photography - including an ongoing series of portraits of artists in their studios. In the spring of 2013 he graduated from the International Center of Photography. He is the grandson of Richard Avedon on his father's side, and Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan on his mother's side.
Contents
Early life
Michael Patrick Avedon was born in New York City to Maura Moynihan and John Avedon. From a young age he was influenced by and participated in counter-culture movements such as skateboarding, surfing, and punk rock music. He attended York Preparatory School on the Upper West Side from 7th through 12th grade. After graduating high school Avedon spent two years studying at the School of Visual Arts in downtown Manhattan. Subsequently he transferred to the International Center of Photography, where he studied for an additional two years, graduating in the spring of 2013.
Work
Avedon has shot advertisements for Louis Vuitton and Calvin Klein, and fashion editorials for Harper's Bazaar, CR Fashion Book, Dazed & Confused, VMAN, Interview Russia, Out of Order, and HERO.
His first notable commercial assignment was a series of behind the scenes photographs at the 2012 haute couture Paris Fashion Week, commissioned by Carine Roitfeld's CR Fashion Book. Avedon was subsequently asked to shoot for the magazine's debut issue (September 2012), as well as several following issues. He maintains an ongoing working relationship with Roitfeld, and returned to Paris Fashion Week in 2013 to shoot for her magazine. Throughout 2012 and 2013 Avedon has worked closely with Jefferson Hack (founder of Dazed & Confused, Another Magazine and NOWNESS), and has shot several notable celebrities for Dazed & Confused, including Greta Gerwig, Nicolas Jaar, and Damien Echols, as well as a Brooke Shields cover story for Under the Influence, and Naomi Campbell for Interview Russia.
In July 2014 Avedon shot Lottie Moss (the younger half-sister of Kate Moss) for Calvin Klein. The shoot took place in London and featured a 90s inspired Calvin Klein Jeans capsule collection. In ways the shoot pays homage to the iconic 1980's advertisement shot and directed by Richard Avedon for Calvin Klein, featuring model Brooke Shields. In August 2014 Avedon shot Emma Ferrer (the granddaughter of Audrey Hepburn) for Harper's Bazaar. The shoot took place in Florence, where Ferrer has lived for the past six years. The concept, envisioned by Bazaar's editor-in-chief Glenda Bailey, was to create a tribute to the many popular photographs that Richard Avedon shot of Hepburn throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s. Both the clothing and poses were largely inspired by these past works. Joanna Hillman was the fashion editor on the shoot.
Personal work
Avedon's personal work has predominantly taken the form of portrait photography. Influenced by the extensive legacy of his grandfather's work, he has shot primarily in black & white, using 35mm and medium format film. His ongoing portrait project of artist have been intimate, close-up sittings, typically conducted in the artist's studio. Artists he has photographed for the project thus far include: Chuck Close, Richard Serra, Francesco Clemente, Peter Beard, Julian Schnabel, and Terence Koh. His maternal grandmother Elizabeth Moynihan has also been a recurring subject in his personal work. Avedon describes his work as "a mix of movement and energy".