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Fashion photographer Antoine Verglas.
Photo courtesy: Antoine Verglas
The French born, turned NYC living artist has shot some of the biggest names in fashion and he’s not done yet.
The fashion industry is one of the most versatile industries. It also includes skills. If you are business oriented, there is a place for you in the business side of branding, publications or agencies. If you are creative, you can find a position as a creative director, designer, photographer, make-up artist or hairdresser. If you have a talent for words, you will find a place in editorial. If you’re relational in nature and can make things happen, PR is your niche, and if you’re into law, trademarks will benefit you as a legal advisor. The fashion industry is a well-oiled machine for any skill where one can find their niche.
When you sit down and talk to insiders, you’ll often hear that photographers are the highest-paid arm of the industry. They also have the exciting role of being able to travel to exotic locations, meet inspiring models, interact with prestigious brands, and be the head of their own business. Television host turned fashion photographer Antoine Verglas has had a successful career as a fashion photographer over the past thirty years. He opens up about his journey and what it takes to become a photographer.
How fashion photography happened
Everyone is gifted with at least one good thing, something that doesn’t require effort and comes naturally, fueled by deep emotion and talent. When one discovers that, it is a liberating and defining moment. Verglas was born in France and studied at ESC, a prestigious business school in the country. Those early days of his career were spent in front of the camera, but his desire to move into fashion photography was biting him.
“I was fortunate that this came naturally during my time as a student in business school. I got some modeling jobs to help pay for my education and started making friends with photographers. I looked more in fashion magazines and spent time in photo studios. I had a Swedish model girlfriend at the time and I started taking pictures of her for fun. After a brief stint as a TV presenter on French Channel 5 and a trial as a photographer’s agent, it became a love and obsession.
The TV host thing is over. Veglas wanted to stay on TV, but as so often in life when a door closes and never opens again, it’s an obvious diversion. “Channel La 5, which Silvio Berlusconi was running, stopped after a year,” he recalls. “I tried to do commercials and TV commercials on Channel 2, but I didn’t get accepted. It was a similar program to the one I was hosting on Channel 5 and I thought I’d be another TV personality. I had to wait a year for my new gig. I got a lot of gigs on TV commercials but They became attractive, and I didn’t want to go back to modeling. I tried representing photographer friends, but they were too difficult for the kind of work I was getting for them, so I decided to do it myself.
Verglas thought his post-university education would lead him to advertising, but his experience of trying things and ups and downs, which prepared him for the rigors of these industries he was trying things out, made him realize what he wanted to do. “I had a keen interest in magazines specializing in advertising and communications. Modeling has seen me in 30+ TV commercials, ad campaigns, catalogs and editorials. The casting for TV hosting came out of the blue and it was truly a wonderful experience. At the age of 24, I learned how to deal with some of the fame and criticism in various forms, politics and network television as a pretty kid. But television hosting was definitely not my calling and I failed.
Discovery
“The moment of my breakthrough came when I decided to follow and accompany my model girlfriend to NYC. She was the winning face of Ford Model Agency’s 80’s contest and had to honor her contract. From the idea of reporting on top models in close proximity to black and white portraits and candid interviews. I decided to go with
“A French top model, Estelle Lefebvre, introduced me to Monique Pillard, director of her modeling agency, Elite Models, and John Casablancas’ right hand. Pilard was seduced by the idea and gave me a list of top models: Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Stephanie Seymour, to name a few. I was able to find Claudia Schiffer at another agency. It took me 3 to 4 months to get an hour or so with the top ten models, shoot them and interview them. At that time, I was still living in Paris French Elle And French photo There were magazines that I wanted to tell the story. The dream came true, and they both published it.
While Verglas has achieved success, he can share with others how they got to where he is. His advice is simple, try things. “For those struggling to find their calling, my advice is to try many things, explore different fields, take risks and don’t be afraid to fail. You never know where your passion lies until you try. Keep an open mind and don’t limit yourself,” he says.
Photographing big names
Verglas photo of Cindy Crawford.
Photo credit: Antoine Verglas
Verglas has photographed Halle Berry and Cindy Crawford, done commercial shoots for Bagley Mischka and Louis Vuitton, and his work has appeared in GQ, Sports Illustrated, and Elle. Many photographers dream of reaching this level, so I ask if he feels that he has reached it. “You’re only as good as your last job,” he muses. “You never really “arrive” in photography. You can reach a certain level of fame, but it can be very volatile. I’ve always been fascinated by the longevity of Patrick Demarchelier and Gilles Bensimon and how they’ve weathered the waves of this industry for over five decades. As with any career or discipline, it’s where you think you’ve arrived. I truly believe that day is the beginning of the end for you. It shows that you can no longer challenge yourself and want to progress and improve your skills.
A typical day
His typical day is simple but full. “I get up early in the morning, go to the studio, shoot, choose pictures, take care of my children and dog, work with my wife on her business (click.com), review and trade in the stock market and socialize in the evening. My routine is from 7pm to midnight. .”
Penelope Cruz Verglas photo.
Photo credit: Antoine Verglas
Home to New York City, Verglas doesn’t seem to dream of doing something like this when the pandemic has forced many people out of the Big Apple. “I fell in love with NYC the minute I got here. Optimism, cosmopolitanism, speed, energy, noise and how easy it was to meet people. This city brought me back the adrenaline and excitement of the late 80’s and early 90’s. Paris is beautiful, surrounded by so much history, and I must say I’m glad I was able to spend time in both cities.
Speaking of the epidemic, it has influenced fashion and fashion photography. “The world has changed. Many people want to work remotely. Some models started shooting themselves with products they called and turned into photographers. Instagram, Tik Tok and now AI are completely changing the world of fashion and fashion photography. AI actually scares me a lot. Soon, you won’t need models, stylists, hair and makeup artists or photographers anymore. Technology can replace everything. And it goes to many actors in different industries, not just fashion. I worry about the new generation and the world we inherit. When I look at pictures, reports and movies from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and 2000’s I have a real and sincere nostalgia.
We have a snow photo shoot.
Photo courtesy of Anthony Verglas
Verglas has reason to fear, not just him, but also the models and lord knows who. With the advancement of AI and influencers, many creators will be out of a job. Brands from Nike to Dior to Valentino make heavy use of AI technology. One of the positives of using AI is that the industry can reduce textile waste. Fashion is the second most unsustainable industry in the world. But people and economies suffer from job losses and disconnections. But Verglas isn’t completely against technology. Here’s his advice to anyone thinking of going into photography.
“Ten or twenty years ago, I used to say, go to museums, enrich yourself with paintings, sculptures, etc. Encyclopedia of Fashion Photography. Today, you should do this, of course, but also, be very aware of the new opportunities that technology offers.
Antoine Verglas many covers.
Photo courtesy of Anthony Verglas
Antoine Verglas has shot dozens of magazine covers and famous fashion campaigns. But he remains humble, thinking, “I have come.” He often doesn’t feel that good but quite the opposite. I’m happy to share what I do and hope people like it. I personally don’t think it’s good. But people in the industry know how talented he is and I suspect we’ll be seeing his work for a long time, even with the rise of AI.
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