Herb Ritts was born in California in 1959. He made his first film photographs at the age of 16 with a roll of black and white film. His career as a fine art photographer began in 1979 when he shot fashion editorials for French Vogue, Italian Vogue, British Vogue, American Vogue, and W. He was subsequently commissioned to shoot advertising campaigns for Levi's, Swatch, Calvin Klein, Elizabeth Arden, Donna Karan, Tommy Hilfiger, Bally (Michael Jordan), and Revlon
Throughout the 1980s he concentrated primarily on fashion photography with clients including the New York Times Magazine, Time Magazine, Harper's Bazaar, GQ Magazine, Newsweek Magazine and Vanity Fair. He also worked extensively with music artists such as Madonna, Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson.
Being an American is about having the right to be who you are. Sometimes that doesn't happen.Herb Ritts
I was an economics major, which I enjoyed because I had a good business sense.Herb Ritts
Even though I didn't get a business degree, I enjoyed learning about economics.Herb Ritts
I like form and shape and strength in pictures.Herb Ritts
