30 Most Influential Female Photographers of All Time


 

In the enchanting world of photography, a realm where fleeting moments are forever etched in time with the simple act of pressing a shutter button, there unfolds a truly remarkable tapestry woven from the threads of talent and vision. However, amidst the clicks and flashes that punctuate this creative journey, it is the contributions of female photographers that often radiate with a distinctive brilliance.

Prepare to be utterly captivated by the unfiltered perspectives they offer, where every single click serves as a portal to a unique narrative, and each frame captures the very essence of its era. From the pioneers of photography’s infancy, who courageously ventured into uncharted territory, to the modern-day mavens who are actively reshaping the visual landscape, their impact on the world of photography is indelible, their talent undeniable, and their stories nothing short of awe-inspiring.

1. Diane Arbus- USA

Image by Fduriez from Wikimedia

Diane Arbus, a name that resonates with uniqueness, is celebrated for her extraordinary viewpoint that embraced the unconventional. In an era when conformity prevailed, Arbus fearlessly ventured into uncharted territory, introducing viewers to a kaleidoscope of humanity. In the mid-20th century, amidst a sea of conformity, Arbus fearlessly ventured into the gritty underbelly of New York City, capturing the raw essence of marginalized individuals, be they circus performers, twins, or transgender people.

Arbus was, in essence, an explorer of the human condition, her lens an instrument of revelation. Each photograph, a window into a world rarely seen, her lens dared to defy the established conventions of portrait photography. Exploring her captivating portfolio is like embarking on a journey through the enigmatic corridors of the human psyche, where the familiar becomes extraordinary, and the extraordinary becomes familiar.

2. Dorothea Lange – USA

30 Most Influential Female Photographers of All Time

Dorothea Lange, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Born in Hoboken, New Jersey, in 1895, Lange’s journey to becoming an iconic photographer was marked by twists of fate and an unquenchable curiosity. In the annals of photographic history, Dorothea Lange stands as a luminary whose lens captured not just moments, but the raw essence of the human spirit. Her most famous photograph, Migrant Mother, shows a weary woman and her children huddled together in a shanty, their faces etched with despair. The hauntingly evocative Migrant Mother photograph, depicting Florence Owens Thompson, a destitute mother of seven, became an emblem of an era’s struggle. In Migrant Mother, we witness a mother’s wearied countenance, etched with lines of resilience, as she cradles her children, embodying the epitome of maternal strength.

3.  Tina Modotti – Italy/Mexico

30 Most Influential Female Photographers of All Time

Tina Modotti, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Born in Italy in 1896, she embarked on a journey that took her from the glamour of Hollywood to the tumultuous streets of Mexico City. Tina Modotti was a woman of many contradictions.  Modotti’s transformation from a silent film actress to a revolutionary photographer was nothing short of extraordinary.

Intriguingly, as one peruses her captivating photographs, a striking narrative unfolds, weaving together poignant stories of ordinary people and their extraordinary resilience. She died in mysterious circumstances in 1942, at the age of 45. Despite her short life, Tina Modotti left a lasting legacy.

4. Graciela Iturbide – Mexico

From the bustling marketplace of Juchitán, Oaxaca, to the isolated villages of the Sierra Madre, Iturbide’s images are full of life and energy. But Iturbide is not just a documentarian. With a camera as her paintbrush and the world as her canvas, Iturbide weaves stories through her imagery that are nothing short of captivating. In one image, a woman’s face is covered in a traditional Zapotec headdress, while in another, a rooster stands on a dead deer.

Graciela Iturbide’s artistry is not just about freezing moments in time; it’s about uncovering the essence of a nation, one frame at a time. In her hands, a chicken can become a symbol of fertility, a dead fish can become a metaphor for death, and a woman’s face can become a window into the human spirit.

5.  Annie Leibovitz – USA

From her early work for Rolling Stone to her more recent projects for Vanity Fair, Leibovitz has always pushed the boundaries of portrait photography. But there’s more to Annie Leibovitz than her iconic celebrity portraits. Whether she is photographing a naked John Lennon wrapped around Yoko Ono or a pregnant Demi Moore, Leibovitz has a knack for getting her subjects to reveal their true selves. So, whether you’re an avid art enthusiast or simply captivated by the human experience, Annie Leibovitz’s work beckons you to embark on a visual journey, where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and life’s magic is captured for eternity.

6.  Margaret Bourke-White – USA

Bourke-White was born in New York City in 1904. She studied photography at Columbia University and the Clarence H. White School of Photography. She joined the staff of Fortune magazine in 1929 where she became known for her in-depth photo essays on industrial subjects. In 1930, Bourke-White was the first foreign photographer allowed to document the Soviet Union under Stalin. Her photographs of Soviet industry and agriculture were published in a book called Eyes on Russia (1931). In 1936, Bourke-White joined the staff of Life magazine, where she worked for the next 25 years. She died in 1971 at the age of 67.

7.  Shadi Ghadirian – Iran

Ghadirian gained international recognition for her Qajar series, which she began in the late 1990s. One of her most famous series is titled Qajar, in which she juxtaposes contemporary Iranian women with the aesthetics of the Qajar period (1785-1925). For example, in her series Qajar, Ghadirian photographs women in traditional Qajar-era clothing, but with modern objects such as cell phones, cameras, and cigarettes.

This creates a sense of dissonance, as the women appear to be both traditional and modern at the same time. In another series, Homeland Security, Ghadirian photographs women in hijabs holding guns. The subjects in these photographs are often dressed in traditional clothing and accessories, but they hold or interact with objects from the modern world, such as a boombox or a vacuum cleaner.

8. Imogen Cunningham – USA

File:Seen & Unseen photography exhibit by Imogen Cunningham at the Polk Museum of Art 02.jpg

Kiran891, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Born in Portland, Oregon, in 1883, her passion for photography blossomed early. She pursued higher education in chemistry and studied photography techniques in Germany. Cunningham’s early work aligned with the Pictorialist movement, characterized by soft-focus, artistic imagery.

Imogen Cunningham, an influential American photographer, was renowned for her pioneering work in the field. However, she later co-founded Group f/64 in the 1930s, a collective that advocated for sharp focus and “straight photography,” aligning her style more with precision and clarity.

9. Rineke Dijkstra – Netherlands

Her early work was in commercial photography, but in the 1980s she began to focus on portrait photography. Dijkstra’s first major breakthrough came in the early 1990s with her series “Beach Portraits”, in which she photographed teenagers on the beach. Dijkstra’s subjects often stand alone, center stage, against plain backgrounds. Her portraits of young club-goers immediately after a night of revelry capture the stark contrast between the euphoria of the night and the vulnerability of the morning after.

Here are some of the most important works by Rineke Dijkstra:

  • Beach Portraits (1992-1994)
  • New Mothers (1994-1996)
  • Soldiers (1999-2001)
  • Bullfighters (2000-2002)
  • The Buzzclub, Liverpool/Mysteryworld, Zaandam (1996-1997)
  • Annemiek (I Wanna Be With You) (2000)
  • Ruth Drawing Picasso (2002)

10.  Shirin Neshat – Iran

Manfred Werner – Tsui, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

She was born on March 26, 1957, in Qazvin, Iran. Her art has not remained confined to gallery walls; it’s a global phenomenon. Neshat’s photography, while rooted in her Iranian heritage, transcends geographical boundaries, resonating universally. Is it not fascinating how a single click of the shutter can evoke a thousand emotions and spark a thousand conversations? Before unveiling her art to the world, Neshat meticulously ensures that every image is a masterpiece, free from any grammatical or spelling errors.

Some key aspects of Shirin Neshat’s work include:

  • Photography: Neshat gained prominence in the 1990s with her series of black-and-white photographs that often feature calligraphy written on the faces and bodies of her subjects.
  • Video and Film: Neshat is perhaps best known for her video installations and films. Her film “Women Without Men” (2009) won the Silver Lion for Best Director at the Venice Film Festival.
  • Calligraphy: This calligraphy is sometimes used to obscure or enhance the imagery, creating a complex interplay of text and visuals.
  • Exhibitions and Recognition: Shirin Neshat’s work has been exhibited in major museums and galleries around the world.

11.  Francesca Woodman – USA

Francesca Woodman, an extraordinary American photographer, graced the world with her artistry, hailing from the heartland of Denver, Colorado, where she entered this world in 1958. Despite her brief journey on this planet, she left an indelible mark through her lens, capturing the essence of over 800 moments in time.  In her works, she fearlessly portrayed herself in various states of undress, often assuming unconventional and contorted poses.

However, her narrative takes a heart-wrenching turn as we come to 1981, when the world lost this gifted artist to the cruel clutches of suicide.

12.  Lee Miller – USA/UK

Lee Miller, the enigmatic muse turned World War II correspondent, was no ordinary figure in the annals of history. In 1940, Miller returned to the United States. She began working for British Vogue as a war correspondent in 1942. With a face that could launch a thousand ships and a spirit as fierce as a tempest, she defied conventions with every step she took. Miller’s transformation from the iconic model under the lens of Man Ray to the intrepid journalist capturing the horrors of war is a tale of unparalleled metamorphosis.

13.  Nan Goldin – USA

Nan Goldin, the enigmatic lens-wielder of our time, possesses an uncanny ability to freeze moments into emotional time capsules. With a camera as her trusted companion, she crafts visual symphonies that resonate deep within the soul.  From the intimate, shadowy corners of underground clubs to the tender embrace of friends, Nan Goldin’s portfolio reads like a visual diary of her world. 

Through her lens, a fleeting glance becomes an epic tale, and a subtle smile tells a thousand words. Prepare to be captivated, for once you step into her world, there’s no turning back—it’s an enchanting journey through the heart of humanity, one photograph at a time.

14.  Mary Ellen Mark – USA

File:Mary-ellen-mark-2.jpg

Waterjunebug, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

With her camera as a passport, she ventured into the gritty, soul-stirring landscapes of life, documenting the extraordinary in the ordinary. Whether it was the gritty streets of New York or the vibrant chaos of India’s festivals, her lens transformed the ordinary into the extraordinary. What stories lie hidden behind the faces she captures? What emotions and challenges do these individuals face daily?

Here are some of her most famous photographs:

  • Tiny in her Halloween costume (1983): This photograph shows a young homeless girl dressed up as a fairy princess.
  • Rat and Mike with a gun (1983): This photograph shows two young boys, one of whom is holding a gun.
  • Beautiful Emine posing (1965): This photograph shows a young Turkish woman posing for a portrait.

15.  Catherine Opie – USA

US Embassy Madrid, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Opie was born in Sandusky, Ohio in 1961. Some of Opie’s most well-known series include Being and Having (1991), Portraits (1993-1997), and Domestic (1999). With a photographic talent that can only be described as extraordinary, Mark wove visual tales that etched themselves into the tapestry of our collective memory. In 2022, Opie was awarded the Hasselblad Foundation International Award in Photography.

Her lens, like a magic wand, weaved stories of grit, grace, and raw authenticity. Whether it be her iconic images from “Streetwise” or the indelible portraits of celebrities, each frame encapsulated a profound and emotional depth.

16.  Dayanita Singh – India

30 Most Influential Female Photographers of All Time

Nomu420, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Born in New Delhi on November 1, 1961, she was destined for a creative path, influenced by her photographer father. She has a knack for capturing the ordinary, infusing it with an enigmatic charm that prompts viewers to ponder the stories within her frames. Black and white photography is her preferred canvas, a choice that allows her to skillfully manipulate light and shadow to create images that seem to transcend time. Singh’s photographic style is a testament to her artistic prowess.

17.  Laura Zalenga – Germany

Laura Zalenga is a conceptual portrait photographer from Germany who currently lives in Rotterdam, Netherlands. She was born in 1990 and grew up in a small town in the south of Germany. She studied architecture in Munich but during that time realized that photography was her true passion. So in 2015 she decided to give her dream a chance and became a freelance photoartist.

Here are some of the things that make Laura Zalenga’s work stand out:

  • Her clear visual language: Zalenga’s photographs are instantly recognizable for their clean lines and minimalist compositions.
  • Her ability to tell stories: Zalenga’s photographs often tell stories about the human condition.
  • Her honesty: Zalenga’s photographs are unflinchingly honest.

18.  Martine Franck – Belgium

She began her career as a photographer as the assistant of Eliot Elisofon and Gjon Mili at Life magazine. In 1970, Franck joined the agency VU, and two years later, she co-founded the agency Viva. She has also published several books of her photographs, including Femmes (1996), Les Lubérons (2000), and Tory Island Images (2004). Franck died in Paris in 2012 at the age of 74.

Here are some of the awards that Martine Franck received:

  • Robert Capa Gold Medal (1995)
  • Hasselblad Foundation Award (1997)
  • Grand Prix National de la Photographie (2004)
  • Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (2005)

19.  Lise Sarfati – France

Sarfati was born in Oran, Algeria in 1958.  In 1989, she moved to Russia, where she lived and worked for nine years. Her photographs of Russia during this period, published in the book Acta Est (2000), document the country’s transition from communism to capitalism.

In 1998, Sarfati moved to the United States. Her series The New Life (2005) is a collection of portraits of young women in Los Angeles, who are all immigrants or the children of immigrants. The series On Hollywood (2010) captures the city’s transient and illusionary nature. And her series Oh Man (2017) depicts lonely men walking through downtown Los Angeles.

Sarfati’s work has been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions around the world. She has received numerous awards, including the Niépce Prize in 2000. She has also directed two short films, The Girl with the Red Balloon (2008) and The Man Who Walks (2017).

20.  Elinor Carucci – Israel/USA)

Ed Schipul, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Carucci was born in Jerusalem in 1971. She studied photography at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem, and then moved to New York City in 1995. Her first book, Closer, was published in 2002. Carucci’s second book, Diary of a Dancer, was published in 2005. It is a series of photographs of Carucci’s friend, the dancer Oded Graf, as he prepares for a performance. Carucci’s fourth book, Midlife, was published in 2019. In 2023, Carucci will publish her fifth book, The Collars of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, A portrait of Justice (Clarkson Potter/Random House). The book will be launched by a solo exhibition at the Jewish Museum NYC and at Edwynn Houk Gallery.

21.  Rinko Kawauchi – Japan

Rinko Kawauchi is a Japanese photographer who is known for her lyrical and poetic images of everyday objects and moments. She was born in Shinga, Japan, in 1967. She studied photography and graphic design at the Seian University of Art and Design, graduating in 1993. After a period of working as a freelance photographer in advertising, Kawauchi released three photobooks of her personal work in 2001: Utatane, Hanabi, and Hanoko. Her images are often uncluttered and spare, allowing the viewer to focus on the simple beauty of the subject.

22.  Sophie Calle – France

Sophie Calle is a French conceptual artist, photographer, and writer. One of Calle’s most famous works is Suite Vénitienne (1980), in which she followed a stranger she met on a train to Venice and documented his daily activities. The work was controversial for its invasion of the stranger’s privacy, but it also won Calle critical acclaim.

Another well-known work by Calle is The Hotel (1981), in which she worked as a chambermaid in a hotel and recorded her observations of the guests. She also took photographs of their belongings and read their personal letters.

23.  Hilla Becher  – Germany

File:Hilla Becher 2013 8210.jpg

Elke Wetzig, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Hilla Becher was a German conceptual photographer. She was well known for her industrial photographs, or typologies, with longtime collaborator and husband, Bernd Becher. Becher was born in Potsdam, Germany, in 1934. She began photographing at thirteen years old with a 9×12 cm plate-camera. The Bechers’ photographs are characterized by their objective, non-judgmental approach. They typically photograph their subjects from a distance and in a straight-on manner. In addition to her work with Bernd Becher, Hilla Becher also had a successful solo career. She published several books of her photographs, including Water Towers (1972), Gas Holders (1980), and Chimneys (1988). Hilla Becher died in Düsseldorf, Germany, in 2015, at the age of 81.

24.  Gohar Dashti – Iran

Gohar Dashti (born 1980 in Ahvaz, Iran) is an Iranian photographer and video artist who lives and works in Tehran. The dominant theme in her work is her native country, its topography and history of violence. Her work has traveled internationally and she has had many solo exhibitions. Dashti’s earlier work looks at the lasting effects of the war on the people and the land.

Here are some of her notable works:

  • House in Mohsen (2018): This series of photographs depicts abandoned and dilapidated houses in Iran.
  • Earth and Sky (2023): This series of photographs is of the natural landscapes of Iran.
  • Women Defining Women in Contemporary Art of the Middle East (2023): This series of photographs is of women artists from the Middle East.

25.  Mona Kuhn – Brazil

30 Most Influential Female Photographers of All Time

US Embassy Madrid, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Mona Kuhn is a German-Brazilian contemporary photographer best known for her large-scale photographs of the human form and essence. Kuhn was born in São Paulo, Brazil, in 1969. The J. Paul Getty Museum, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston have exhibited Kuhn’s photographs in solo and group exhibitions. Kuhn has published several books of her photographs, including Photographs (2004), Evidence (2007), Native (2009), Bordeaux Series (2011), Private (2014), and She Disappeared into Complete Silence (2018).

26.  Trine Søndergard  – Denmark

Søndergaard was born in Grenaa, Denmark, in 1972. She studied drawing and painting at the Nordjyllands Kunstskole in Aalborg from 1992 to 1994, and then photography at the Danmarks Fotografiske Billedkunstskole Fatamorgana in Copenhagen from 1994 to 1996.  In her photographs, Søndergaard often uses a slow shutter speed to create a dreamlike or blurred effect. She also often employs repetition and pattern to create a sense of unease or uncertainty. One of Søndergaard’s most well-known series of photographs is Strude (2000), which features female bodies covered in a net of strips. Another important series by Søndergaard is Monochrome Portraits (2006), which features portraits of people in black and white. She is represented by the galleries Martinas Bek Gallery in Copenhagen and Jackson Fine Art in New York City.

27.  Rania Matar – Lebanon/USA

30 Most Influential Female Photographers of All Time

Helena Goessings, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Rania Matar, hailing from Lebanon and taking her first breaths in 1964, embarked on a life journey that would eventually lead her to the heart of the United States in 1984. As the early 2000s dawned, Matar shifted her focus, now capturing the essence of girls and women navigating the complex terrain of identity in the United States, straddling the line between their American upbringing and their Middle Eastern heritage. Her photographic narratives often depict young women adorned in the rich tapestries of traditional Middle Eastern attire, yet set against the backdrop of quintessentially American surroundings.

28.  Taryn Simon – USA

Taryn Simon is an American multidisciplinary artist who works in photography, text, sculpture, and performance. Some of Simon’s most well-known works include:

  • The Innocents (2000-2003): A series of photographs of people who were wrongfully convicted of crimes and later exonerated.
  • A Living Man Declared Dead and Other Chapters (2007): A book that examines the concept of identity through a series of photographs, texts, and objects.
  • Living Man Declared Dead and Other Chapters, book by Taryn Simon
  • The Currency (2010): A series of photographs of objects that have been used as currency throughout history.
  • Theater of the World (2013): An installation that explores the relationship between humans and animals.

29.  Carrie Mae Weems – USA

 

She was born in Portland, Oregon in 1953. Carrie Mae Weems is an American artist working in photography, video, and installation. She began participating in dance and street theater in 1965. At the age of 16, she gave birth to her only child, a daughter named Faith C. Weems.

Later that year (1970), she moved out of her parents’ home and soon relocated to San Francisco to study modern dance with Anna Halprin at a workshop Halprin had started with several other dancers, as well as the artists John Cage and Robert Morris.

 She then moved to New York City in 1976 to attend the Whitney Museum of American Art’s Independent Study Program. Weems’s early work was focused on self-portraiture and exploring her own identity as a black woman. Her 1990 series Kitchen Table is one of her most famous works.

30. Lorna Simpson – USA

30 Most Influential Female Photographers of All Time

Porter Hovey, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Central to Simpson’s body of work are recurring themes of identity and race, which she fearlessly confronts with unwavering determination. Through her artistic expression, she courageously takes on stereotypes and dissects societal conventions, compelling onlookers to reevaluate their deeply ingrained beliefs about race and gender. In this expanded canvas, she continues to showcase her creative brilliance. Her video installations, akin to her photographic endeavors, delve into the intricate fabric of identity and representation, infusing life and movement into her exploration of the human experience. With Lorna Simpson, the world of art finds a visionary whose creations not only beckon us to question and reflect but also invite us to celebrate the enigmatic beauty that defines our existence.


In the enchanting world of photography, where the imagination intertwines with the tangible fabric of existence, the influence of the female perspective stands as an enduring testament. From the otherworldly compositions of Dorothea Lange to the stirring character studies crafted by Annie Leibovitz, these visionaries have adeptly harnessed the potential of a solitary snap to kindle sentiments, stimulate contemplation, and transform storytelling.

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