Twelve Photographers Every Creative Should Know

The Importance of Studying the Greats

In a world flooded with new images every second, it’s easy to forget the power of a photograph that endures. I believe that if you want to become a better photographer, you need to study the greats. Just as a writer reads and a chef tastes, we have to keep feeding our visual palette to train our eye and grow our craft.

This is the “why” behind studying great photographers. And this week, I’m gonna share a list that, if you haven’t already, should be worth your time. This piece could’ve been a lot longer but I’ve capped it at twelve artists. Twelve individuals that have profoundly shaped my creative journey.

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Some Context

The photographers I believe worth studying aren’t just famous. They’ve created work that’s stood the test of time. Their images have been dissected, displayed, and debated across decades and continents. They’ve faced this trial by fire and come out the other side as essential.

Furthermore, studying them isn’t about nostalgia. It’s about discovery. These bodies of work still hold lessons, still spark ideas, and still have more to teach us. The deeper you look, the more you find.

So, without further ado, here’s my list of twelve photographers and what makes them a compelling study.

The Rushmore

Ranking artists is a terrible practice and yet, makes for some of the most enthusiastic conversations. With that said, I want to start this list with four individuals who I’d place on my Mount Rushmore.

• Sebastião Salgado’s work is a masterclass in empathy and scale. He uses black-and-white to document the human condition with a depth and dignity that reminds us of photography’s power to witness and preserve.

• Gordon Parks used his camera as a weapon against injustice, blending art and activism to create images that are as emotionally resonant as they are historically vital. He serves as a reminder that photography can both document and drive change.

• Vivian Maier’s quiet, observational street photography reveals the beauty and oddity of everyday life. Her work reminds us that sharp eyes and genuine curiosity can turn unnoticed moments into timeless moments.

• Raghu Rai captures the soul of India with an instinctive eye for atmosphere and emotion. He shows us how patience, presence, and cultural intimacy can turn the everyday into the extraordinary.

The Rebels

There’s something about the creative process—whether in study or practice —that demands some subversion. It’s the instinct to push against the grain, to challenge comfort, and to explore the unfamiliar. Here are four artists who embody that spirit.