Francesco Scavullo American fashion photographer Date of Birth: 16.01.1921 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Artistic Roots
2. Apprenticeship and Early Career
3. Manhattan Studio and Lighting Masterpiece
4. Vogue and Celebrity Portraits
5. Books and Legacy

Early Life and Artistic Roots

Francesco Scavullo, a renowned American fashion photographer, was born on Staten Island, New York, on January 16, 1921. His father owned a kitchenware company, but in 1937, he purchased a nightclub in Central Park, prompting the family's move to Manhattan.

From a young age, Scavullo displayed a keen interest in photography, experimenting with make-up and hairstyles to transform his family and friends into Hollywood stars. He established a makeshift studio and darkroom in his home, where he honed his skills and gained valuable experience.

Apprenticeship and Early Career

As a teenager, Scavullo pursued an apprenticeship with a professional photographer. He eventually landed a job photographing a catalog for a major studio and later worked on a project for Harper's Bazaar under the guidance of the legendary Diana Vreeland. Scavullo then joined Seventeen magazine before transitioning to Town & Country, where he began working with celebrities alongside photographer Tony Mazzola.

Manhattan Studio and Lighting Masterpiece

By age nineteen, Scavullo's exceptional talent earned him patronage from his father, who purchased a four-story townhouse in Manhattan that became his home and studio for the next five decades. Throughout his career, Scavullo refined his distinctive lighting technique. He employed large cardboard sheets to highlight his subjects' faces, white umbrellas to reduce glare from studio lights, and muslin cloths on long poles to enhance the overall illumination.

The result was an ethereal, glamorous aesthetic that elevated models and stars to new heights of beauty. In 1952, Scavullo married model Carol McCallister, but the marriage ended after three years.

Vogue and Celebrity Portraits

Brief stints at Ladies' Home Journal and McCall's led Scavullo to his career-defining decade with Vogue magazine. Joining Vogue in 1955, Scavullo became as much a star as many of his subjects. During this time, he photographed Hollywood's elite and developed personal projects.

In 1965, Helen Gurley Brown hired him as a cover photographer for Cosmopolitan, where he created some of his most iconic work. Scavullo remained with Cosmo for nearly thirty years, personally selecting and styling his subjects in a process known as "Scavulloization."

Books and Legacy

In 1976, Scavullo published his first book, Scavullo on Beauty, which quickly became a bestseller. Several other photography collections followed. He retired from Cosmo in 1995 and published another book in 1997.

While battling heart problems, Scavullo passed away at his Manhattan home on January 6, 2004, just two weeks shy of his 83rd birthday. His legacy as a master of fashion photography and a creator of iconic celebrity images continues to influence the industry today.