Richard Avedon (1923-2004) was an influential American fashion and portrait photographer known for his iconic images that captured the essence of beauty, fashion, and celebrity. His work redefined the art of photography and left an indelible mark on the fashion and art world. 

Avedon's career began in the late 1940s when he started working as a photographer for Harper's Bazaar. His distinctive style, characterized by stark backgrounds and candid, expressive poses, quickly garnered attention and set him apart from his contemporaries. He later went on to work for Vogue, where he continued to push the boundaries of traditional fashion photography, creating images that were both visually stunning and emotionally evocative.

Beyond the realm of fashion, Avedon was renowned for his portraiture, capturing the essence of his subjects with a clarity and honesty that was both revealing and captivating. His subjects ranged from influential figures in the worlds of art, politics, and entertainment to everyday people, all of whom he approached with the same unwavering commitment to capturing the truth in his portraits.