Irving Penn Cake

ryanloewy:

Irving Penn, photographed for the RyanLoewy.com refresh

On this day 98 years ago, the incredible Irving Penn was born. Penn would go on to become one of the most recognizable and prolific photographers of the century, having shot countless covers of Vogue in addition to working staff for the publication, which eventually garnered him clients such as Clinique and Issey Miyake.

In addition to his fashion work, Penn developed a signature approach to both portrait and still life that would in turn influence a wealth of photographers, myself included. 

Penn was once quoted as saying, “Photographing a cake can be art.”

I am proud to share my portrait of Irving Penn, which will be on display at the Smashbox Studio’s assistant show June 25th alongside my portrait of Chris Buck, as well as announce that my refresh for RyanLoewy.com is finally live. Have a look.

Photographer friend Ryan Loewy was visiting my apt recently and I showed him one of my scrapbooks from the mid-nineties. There were a few items related to Irving Penn (one of my obsessions at the time) and he asked me to scan a page from a Vanity Fair article for him. 

I emailed it and didn’t think about it again until he showed me this image he’d created with it. I couldn’t believe it - hilarious, surreal, and strangely charming all at once. I’m honored that Ryan’s portrait of me will hang alongside this wonderful photograph honoring Penn (and cake).