Cape Town based fashion photographer Jesse-Leigh Elford claims he considers himself as a born-again photographer, having started taking pictures again recently after a three year hiatus. “- Before that, I guess “a self-taught rookie fighting to make it in a crowded industry” would be the appropriate label. I grew uneasy with the mechanics of the fashion world and decided to focus on producing for a while, but the lure became too great and I couldn’t deny my first love anymore.”

He finds inspiration in the works of photographers such as Bruno Dayan (lighting and art direction), Gavin O’Neill (beauty lighting), Greg Kadel (technique and style), Sebastian Faena (drama and glamour) and Ellen von Unwerth (representation of feminine sexuality), but he is also devoted to film: “- Which is why I’ve spent the past two years producing. In my film world the gods are undoubtedly cinematographer Roger Deakins (notably “No Country For Old Men” and “The Assassination Of Jesse James”), directors Joel and Ethan Coen, Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino and David Lynch.”

At the moment he’s focussing on rebuilding his book as his style and approach have changed quite a bit since the last affair. “- Most of the work in my current portfolio is the result of some self-funded projects shot in Cape Town’s afternoon, autumn sunlight. As a result I’ve rediscovered the unconditional potential of naked daylight, an element you’d notice is featuring prominently in my work at the moment. In upcoming projects I’d like to explore film-inspired narratives and elaborate beauty shoots, and although my heart is rooted in Cape Town, a trip to New York and Europe is imminent. ”

Here’s some of his work:

Ben Trovato Blog is now over one year of age, and ever since the launch it has been a pleasure to promote the great work of the many aspiring fashion photographers in the industry! And hopefully there’s many to come. A big thanks to all the photographers, the readers, and all the people that are promoting the blog around the web, this couldn’t have been done without any of you. For the 200th post I will focus on the best of the work featured within the 199 posts published, not necessarily personal favorites, but the work that has gotten most attention and visitors after being published. In other words: The most popular work. However, some of the work has been picked because I felt it didn’t get the attention it deserved.

The “best of” collection consists of 40 images, one image per photographer. Click on the title or image to get to the actual post where the image was featured. Enjoy the amazing work collected through 199 posts over 1 year, in chronological order.

New York City based fashion photographer Joshua Pestka has been in the business for about 6 years, but has only now begun to promote himself and his work. He says this about his inspirations: “I’m inspired by everything I experience. I think for the most part, my photography is an extension of the creativity I see occurring naturally every day. A backlit girl on 9th ave, a painting hung in a gallery window, random shapes emergence from shadows, someone lit up by reflected light… I see this on a daily basis, and it affects me. I bring all of this with me to the shoot.”

At the moment Joshua is looking to expand his beauty portfolio: “I approach my work with a pretty strict methodology, and am looking to loosen it up and throw both more spontaneity and color(!) into it.”

To now he’s only done bits and pieces for different publications, but work is on its way, and I’ll make sure to keep you updated. But to kick it off, Joshua has provided Ben Trovato Blog with an exclusive story, “Pretty Petal” Lisa Porter from Muse NYC! This in addition to a collection of some of his other work. Enjoy!

Paris based Gyslain Yarhi has been in the business for over 15 years, and is one of the absolute heavy weights. His work has been published in publications such as Black & White, Dealer de Luxe, Elle (France), Elle Deluxe (Russia), Elle (Norway), Glamour (Italy), Gloss, Harper’s Bazaar  UK, Harper s Bazaar (Singapore), Icone, Madame Magazine (Germany), Madame Figaro, Marie Claire UK, Spruce, Surface, Sunday Time, Tank, Tique (Norway), The Independent, Tresor, Vogue (Australia), and dVogue Joyas. His commercial clients include Body Shop, Jacques Dessange, Urban Decay and many more.

His work is quite versatile, and his portfolio consists of nothing but highly inspirational photography, from beauty to fashion.

Here’s some of his work:

New York based fashion photographer Jamie Nelson is inspired bye everything around her- textures, people, sounds and places, and she tries actively to seek inspiration outside of photography as much as possible. Jamie has been working professionally for about 6 years, and her work has been published in publications such as Cosmo, Elle (Russia), Harper’s Bazaar En Español, InStyle Germany, Lula, Nylon, Oyster, Plaza, Vanidad and Vanity Fair (Italy). Her commercial clients includes companies such as Olay, Carlos Campos, Sunban Eyewear, Warner Brothers, Disney, Eenamaria Handbags and many more.

I am personally a big fan of Jamie’s work and style, and I can’t wait to see more of her work in the future.

Here’s some of her work:

Berlin based Sonja Gutschera and Leif Osthoff’s professional partnership started back in 2007 when Leif, working as freelance photographer and cinematographer, and Sonja, working as free art director specialized on webconcepts and to a certain point as freelance photographer, just wanted to know what it would be like working together as a team. So they planned and organized a free production. “That was it basically. The pictures came out great, more focused and precise. Way better than we expected,” they say. Being inspired by everything from cities, friends, art and music (and Gonzales!), they are working hard to make a name for themselves in the world of fashion photography. They have just started to get their work published, and they are now planning several free productions, based on conceptual advertising and beauty.

I believe Gutschera and Osthoff is a partnership that will continue to bring us stunning photography for years to come, so update your bookmarks and keep an eye on them, because as they say, they have just started.

Here’s some of their work:

New York and Paris based fashion photographer Remi Rebillard is launching his new website this monday, and in that occasion he’s giving us a little preview of what’s in store for the new online portfolio. And judging from what he has sent me, the website will be filled with amazing photography. What I love with Remi’s photography is as in many other cases the colours and lighting, but his creative concepts are stunning.

Here’s some of his work:

So here it is, finally, the post #100 her at Ben Trovato Blog. And for this special occasion I have chosen to feature what is one of my absolute favorite fashion photographers, Sølve Sundsbø. Sølve Sundsbø is a Norwegian fashion photographer who started out taking reportage and action photos of his friends skiing and clubbing and realized that he wanted to pursue photography seriously. He moved to London in 1995 where he studied at London College of Printing, before working as an assistant for photography legend Nick Knight for three years.

“He’s accelerated at a fast rate,” says Nick Knight. “I can always tell which of the assistants are going to do well because they have drive. Add to that the fact that Sølve loves all things modern. He’s excited by the future. New technologies have entirely changed the photographic landscape and he’s someone who is embracing these different directions.”

Now Sølve has worked for clients like Giorgio Armani, Bally, Boucheron, Etro, Givenchy, Gucci jewellery, Hermès, H&M, Iceberg, Lancôme, Estée Lauder, Yves Saint Laurent, Levis, Nike, Sergio Rossi, Emanuel Ungaro and Puma. His editorial clients include Another Man, Dazed and Confused, Harper’s Bazaar, i-D, Japanese Vogue, Numero, Pop, Visionaire, V and W. He has directed short films for Nike, Gucci and SHOWstudio.

Sølve’s work is a huge source of inspiration to photographers all around the world, and especially to Norwegian photographers, like me. As there are not any other Norwegian fashion photographers doing it as good as Sølve

Here’s a huge collection of his work:

Hamburg, Berlin and New York based fashion photographer Astrid Salomon’s ability to master colors is just amazing. I love her vibrant style!

Here’s some of her work:

Alex Cayley has worked with almost all the big fashion magazines I can think of, and his commercial clients include big shots like Christian Lacroix and Yves Saint Laurent. He is currently represented by CBA in New York.

Here’s some of his great work: