Renowned German photographer Peter Lindbergh has died, aged 74.
The revered fashion photographer and director passed away on September 3rd, with the news confirmed on his Instagram page.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Peter Lindbergh on September 3rd 2019, at the age of 74,” the post begins.
“He is survived by his wife Petra, his first wife Astrid, his four sons Benjamin, Jeremy, Simon, Joseph and seven grandchildren. He leaves a big void.”
The loss of a man, who has been described by Harper’s Bazaar editor in chief Justine Picardie as having a “brilliant and rare gift for storytelling,” has shocked the fashion world, with many who have worked with him admired his work, paying touching tributes to him on social media.
Among them was the Duchess of Sussex, who took to Instagram to honour the life and work of the late photographer.
Alongside two images shared – one of Peter Lindbergh’s work and another, a never-before-seen photo of Meghan and Peter during the cover shoot for Meghan’s guest-edited issue of British Vogue – was an accompanying caption sharing the essence of his work, and Meghan’s respect for Peter.
“Honouring the life and work of photographer Peter Lindbergh,” the caption begins.
“His work is revered globally for capturing the essence of the subject and promoting healthy ideals of beauty, eschewing photoshopping, and preferring natural beauty with minimal makeup.
“The Duchess of Sussex had worked with Peter in the past and personally chose him to shoot the 15 women on the cover for the September issue of British Vogue, which she guest edited.
“There is no other photographer she considered to bring this meaningful project to life.”
Adding, “‘Forces for Change’ was one of the esteemed photographer’s final published projects. He will be deeply missed.”
Meghan made a touching tribute to Peter Lindbergh on Instagram, honouring his life and his work. (Image: Instagram/@sussexroyal)
Following the publication of the issue, which went on sale in August, Peter told Vogue that Meghan had had a very clear vision of what she wanted for the cover – and it was something he was completely on board with.
“My instructions from the Duchess were clear: ‘I want to see freckles’,” Peter shared at the time.
“Well, that was like running through open doors for me. I love freckles.”
Lindbergh said photographing women to showcase their natural beauty is preferred style of shooting.
“I hate retouching, I hate makeup. I always say, ‘Take the makeup off!’
“The number of beautiful women who have asked me to lengthen their legs or move their eyes further apart,” he laughed.
“You would not believe. It’s a culture of madness.”
It was during the same project that it was revealed Peter pulled off a first for the publication, taking one of cover photos via video link, with Peter shooting from his studio in London, and the subject, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, in her backyard in Auckland.
If you take a close look at the top right corner of the photograph below, you’ll see a little image of Peter.
“I was a little worried that we might lose a lot of the energy,” Peter told Vogue about the shoot.
“That it might feel cold and distant because Jacinda was there [in Auckland] and we were here [in London].”
Thankfully, that wasn’t the case.
“We did some chatting, even though I couldn’t hear her very well, so I had to feel my way – it was very funny.
“She was smiling and laughing the whole time.”
Since the saddening news of his passing, editor-in-chief of British Vogue, Edward Enninful, penned a beautiful message to the late photographer: “Peter Lindbergh was both a visionary photographer a great friend,” he began.
“His ability to see real beauty in people, and the world, was ceaseless, and will live on through the images he created. He will be missed by everyone who knew him, worked with him or loved one of his pictures.”
