It’s almost nostalgic to think about how Fashion Week used to be an industry event that focused on editors, buyers and industry insiders just a few years ago. Now it’s turned into a circus of models, celebrities and street style stars vying for the crown of most fashionable maven of the week. But for those looking to get noticed, donning an all Moschino outfit and taking a few Instagram shots just won’t do. If you want to be the next Chiara Ferragni you’ll need to be snapped by some big name fashion photographers with some serious pull. To do that you’ll need to know who they are, what to wear and where to find them. These are the most influential street style photographers in fashion.
Scott Schuman of The Sartorialist
Scott Schuman is considered one of the original street-style photographers. He started his site, The Sartorialist, back in 2005 and since then he’s been one of the biggest names in the industry, even shooting for major brands like DKNY and Burberry. If you’re looking for him to snap your photo, keep in mind he favors heavily accessorized outfits for men and more simplified, casual looks for women. He also loves to capture off-duty models, editors between shows and fellow photographers while they’re at work. You’re most likely to find him at one of the four major Fashion Weeks surrounded by models, well-established style stars and eager newcomers hoping he’ll take their photo.
Tommy Ton of Jak and Jil
Tommy Ton, curator of the fashion blog Jak and Jil, is arguably the biggest name in street style photography today. He contributes to almost every major fashion publication, sits front row at Fashion Week and has photographed a number of campaigns for major designers. As he has his pick of stars to shoot, he’s snapped everyone from models, to designers, to editors and major bloggers. Anyone hoping to be photographed by Ton, who isn’t one of the fashion elite, better be extremely well-dressed (maybe consider hiring a stylist?): guys should throw on a stand-out suit or James Dean-esque motorcycle jacket, and ladies need to be on-trend, wearing some seriously recognizable, high-fashion designers. You’ll find him at every major Fashion Week snapping away at throngs of models, stars and trendsetters who flock to his lens.
Eddie Newton of Mr. Newton
Not every street style moment has to be about designer duds and name brand accessories—case in point—Eddie Newton of Mr. Newton. This photographer shoots attendees of all ages, wearing all price points, so if you feel like you struck out with Tommy Ton because you weren’t wearing the latest digs right off the runway, you may have a better chance of getting snapped by Newton. He photographs whatever he thinks is cool, from polished editors to bohemian kids. In fact if you have a pair of torn up jeans and a vintage band shirt, you might have a better chance at being photographed by this bigwig. He loves street-style in its many shapes and forms so you can find him anywhere, from the PFW shows to the beaches of Miami taking pictures of anyone and everyone.
Garance Doré of Garance Doré
Fashion photographer Garance Doré is known for her highly curated self-titled site which perfectly captures the beauty of simplistic French style. As she travels from city to city, Fashion Week to Fashion Week, she makes a point to not only photograph stylish women, but also interview them for her blog. She favors the simple and chic look over trendy, Instagrammable pieces—think effortless Parisian— and is very particular about keeping to that type of style. She’s also a muse herself, so after snapping your photo, another photographer will likely snap hers. She lives in NYC, but favors Paris Fashion Week and European destinations for their sophisticated and uncomplicated charm.
Philip Oh of Street Peeper
If you take your fashion super seriously and you’ve adopted an all-black wardrobe, this is not the street style photographer for you. Philip Oh (and his blog Street Peeper) is known for funky photos, bright, eye-catching outfits and almost laughable subject matter. One of his latest blog posts? Models And Their Favorite Food Carts: Or... Models Who Happen To Be Passing By Food Carts. He loves a quirky muse like Anna Della Russo or Susie Bubble and will rarely snap a woman in a little black dress. But if you just picked out a whole new wardrobe at Desigual and are ready for your big break, you can find him snapping big names and colorful unknowns at every major Fashion Week. If he does take your picture it could literally make your career—he’s one of Vogue’s go-to photographers.
Adam Katz Sinding of Le 21ème
Adam Katz Sinding does not consider himself a street-style photographer. He says so on his blog Le 21ème, right next to images of well-dressed Fashion Week attendees. To Sinding, his is a photo-journalistic view of fashion. And his unique point of view is working for him. He’s one of the biggest pros in the industry and has worked with major brands like Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren and Stella McCartney, not to mention that almost every major magazine around the globe from Elle France to Harper's Bazaar Arabia has him on speed dial. If you’re looking to get snapped by this photographer (and find your way into Vogue Japan) wear something architectural and dark, as he’s a fan of urban streetwear. You’ll find him at global Fashion Weeks from Oslo to Kiev and back.
Tamu McPherson of All the Pretty Birds
Born in Jamaica and raised in New York, photographer Tamu McPherson used to be editor-in-chief of Grazia in Milan, but has since turned her editorial eye to the camera. Her site, All the Pretty Birds, offers a series of high-profile shots of well-constructed outfits, bright colors and fun accessories. She’s often snapping photos of editors, models and big name bloggers, but will be just as likely to capture an up-and-coming star with an appealing outfit. If you’re looking to grab the attention of her lens, opt for texture, layers and pops of color. She loves a unique look (and lots of fur!). You’ll find her stalking the streets around every major Fashion Week snapping photos of unsuspecting subjects.
Craig Arend of Altamira NYC
If you’re looking to secure a modeling contract with your street-savvy sartorial skills then you need to be photographed by Craig Arend of Altamira NYC. His site, formally known as Models Off Duty, offers up names, info and links on some of the models he features. Of course his blog isn’t exclusive to models; he’s known for his street style shots, but also takes photos of architecture, food and culture in the cities he frequents. While having a tall, skinny, model-like figure will absolutely help you get noticed, he also gravitates toward a chicer style of dressing. Monochomatic outfits, simple florals, colorblocking and on-trend, but still subdued pieces are sure to catch his eye. You’re likely to find this photographer at major Fashion Weeks surround by hordes of eager model hopefuls.
Yvan Rodic of Face Hunter
If you’re over the street style scene in NYC, London, Milan and Paris then you’ll want to get to know Yvan Rodic and his Face Hunter blog. The photographer originally started by capturing the style around Europe near his home country of Switzerland, but has since taken to photographing street style at almost every Fashion Week around the world. Bangkok, Sydney, São Paulo—you’ll find him there with his eye to the lens. Because he’s traveled around the world capturing local style, it’s not easy to get him to snap your photo with a new trend or recognizable label. He prefers shooting local styles with a funky edge—think high-fashion black heels in New York and bright or patterned pieces in Australia. The great thing about this photographer is you don’t have to go searching for him—hang out at your local Fashion Week and he’ll come to you.
