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David BaileyEnglish photographer
Date of Birth: 02.01.1938
Country:  Great Britain |
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Biography of David Bailey
David Bailey, whose full name is David Royston Bailey, was born in 1938 in Leytonstone, London, in the family of Herbert and Gladys Bailey. When David was three years old, their house was destroyed during one of the German bombings, and the family soon moved to East Ham. In his early years, David developed a strong interest in nature, which eventually led him to a career in photography.
Early Career
David attended Clark's College, a private school, but he believed that the education he received there did not help him much. He frequently skipped classes and only attended school 33 times in one academic year. On his 15th birthday, he dropped out of school and immediately got a job at the 'Yorkshire Post' newspaper on Fleet Street. Over the next few years, David changed jobs multiple times, and eventually, he was called up for service in the Royal Air Force in 1957.
After his demobilization in 1958, David decided to pursue a career in photography. With his last bit of money, he bought a 'Canon Rangefinder' camera, which was one of the newest developments by Canon at the time. Despite his determination and decent equipment, David struggled to find work initially because most employers required at least some formal education. However, he eventually found a job as an assistant to professional photographer David Ollins, earning around three and a half pounds per week.
Success and Swinging London
In the late 1950s, David's luck changed when he met John French, a popular photographer and the owner of his own studio. In 1959, David became French's assistant, and just a year later, he began his own photography career. In addition to working for publications and studios like 'John Cole's Studio Five' and 'Vogue', he also often did freelance photoshoots. In the 1960s, he, along with other renowned photographers such as Terence Donovan and Brian Duffy, played a significant role in the cultural development of London, known as the "Swinging London" era.
In 1966, David Bailey's image was deemed suitable for the lead role in the film 'Blowup', with the character based on himself played by David Hemmings. Besides his photography career, David also created album covers for bands and artists such as 'The Rolling Stones' and Marianne Faithfull.
Later Career and Personal Life
In 1976, David and David Litchfield founded the publication 'Ritz Newspaper', which achieved considerable success. Even today, David continues to capture attention with his photographs and numerous interviews, where he often reveals the secret behind his successful photography: "I have always pursued simplicity."
David has been married four times. His first three marriages were short-lived, but his current marriage to model Catherine Dyer has lasted for over 20 years. In 2001, Bailey was awarded the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
