Mario Testino

I was immediately drawn to Mario Testino when we started this project. I came home and did some research, but the most insightful and useful resource I found was a documentary that the BBC did on Mario. I found it so useful because he spoke so much about his influences, his mistakes and I was able to see how he acted around his models.

The thing I love about his work is that it is so sexy, fun and vibrant. However, he is also able to create intimacy without being intrusive. This skill is demonstrated in the series of photos that he did with Princess Diana. These are such a beautiful set of photographs- most royal portraits are so formal and stiff but he managed to capture Diana looking so happy and relaxed.

As a photographer, one of the most important skills is getting the model to relax and have fun. This is a skill Mario is famous for and this is always reflected in his photographs. He has the ability to bring out the best in his models.

Before Mario found his own style, he was emulating lots of English fashion photographers as he has just moved to London and was trying to ‘fit in’. Because his work wasn’t original, he did not have much success with getting his work into fashion magazines. When showing his photographs to an editor she said to him ‘These photos are nice, but who is your girl?’ This is when Mario began to work with Kate Moss. They have now done countless shoots together. Kate said herself that Mario saw her differently to other photographers- she was previously photographed as a ‘wafe’, but Mario would tell her that she was sexy, which obviously made her feel sexy and was  reflected in the photographs.

Another reason that that Mario is so popular is because he is so knowledgeable when it comes to fashion photography. He knows all of the previous and current fashion photographers and each of their styles. He also shows great interest in the clothes and loves to attend fashion shows, which is actually quite rare for a fashion photographer.

The most important message from this documentary was do not try too hard to be something you are not, because it will not lead to success. Be inspired by your surroundings but do not forget where you come from. Mario was turned away when he was trying to imitate English photographers, but  became successful when he started to use his Peruvian upbringing to influence him as an artist.