Stockland Martel

Michael Wirth is a Paris-based beauty photographer known for his sophisticated use of light and his ability to capture the individual loveliness of his subjects, whether they’re models or real people. “You have to see the beauty in the girl,” he says. “I think everybody can be beautiful.” His portfolio ranges from ad campaigns celebrating natural beauty to glossy, sexy product still lifes and rapturous hair shots, with clients spanning every major beauty brand in the world, including Clairol, L’Oreal, Clarins Paris, and Nivea.

Among Michael’s 2010 campaigns was a series of ads for Dove featuring real people. Having worked with countless professional models, Michael was especially sensitive to the needs of his amateur subjects and took care to make them feel comfortable. “The agency had a dinner for us the night before the shoot in Los Angeles,” Michael recalls, “so I had a chance to meet the girls ahead of time. With all talent, you should be nice and also respectful, but with amateurs, it’s extra important to be open and to listen.”

Michael, who was born in Germany, began his career assisting fashion and beauty photographer Wolfgang Klein. In 1978, he moved to Paris and embarked on his own photography career. Among his early jobs was shooting for legendary Elle art director Peter Knapp. Michael had been eyeing a future in fashion, and his experience with Knapp proved to be a turning point.

“I shot some beauty jobs for Peter, and he remarked that my beauty is much better than my fashion,” Michael says. “I had always liked fashion because the client asks for something, and you have to find the solution. But I discovered that beauty is interesting in its own way.”

Here’s a look at Michael’s work. To see more, visit http://stocklandmartel.com/talent/michael-wirth/photography.

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