My 5 Favorite Portrait Photographers

Alright, I know it is a little odd to talk about other photographers. It's supposed to be all about me, right? Nah. Over the years, I have been motivated and inspired by so many other artists. I believe everyone has something to teach you, and these individuals are who I aspire to be. Many of then have become friends and mentors, even. In this post, I'm going to talk about five of my favorite photographers (in no particular order) and why I love them so much!

Anderson Gonzales - Denver, CO, USA Anderson is probably the person I credit most for my love of photography. He has taught me so much of what I know and continually inspires me to grow as an artist. I especially love the way that Anderson is so creative! He is not only a photographer but an incredible makeup artist and designer. Anderson specializes in creating phenomenal, almost other-worldly images. He draws from fashion and fantasy to create incredible, modern looks with timeless photography. Another fantastic aspect of Anderson is his kindness and his voice. Being originally from Venezuela, Anderson makes sure that everyone, especially those in the Latin community, has a platform on which to express themselves. He finds so much beauty in the uniqueness of others and showcases this in the most beautiful way. He is an incredible friend and someone I aspire to be more like. You will never meet someone more kind, generous, and willing to take others under their wing.

Tamara Williams - Germany

Although Tamara is one of those photographers I have never met, I am so incredibly inspired by her work. Tamara has found her niche is creating haunting, crisp portraits that really focus on the emotion and eyes of her subjects. She has a distinct aesthetic, and if you follow photography accounts on Instagram, you have likely seen her work. Her work has been featured in publications and for brands such as Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire, Elle, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, and many others. I love the way this photographer shows consistency and thrives within her area of expertise. She has such a defines aesthetic that is easily identifiable. Her work is clean, elegant, and haunting to me. Another thing I love about this photographer is her attitude. Check out one of her YouTube videos sometime. Tamara proves that women can be strong, badass, and successful. She shows that women can be aggressive and cuss and have a personality without it drawing away from their professionalism. Just because a woman swears does not mean she's pushy, power-hungry, mean. No, this lady is strong, confident, and many other things I aspire to be.