United States
• 1916
- 2006
414 followers
Photographing attractive people who were doing attractive things in attractive places.
Biography
Aarons, a legendary American photographer, gained prominence for his unique approach to capturing the glamour and allure of Hollywood and celebrity life. Aarons' work remains a significant influence on celebrity photography and continues to be celebrated in exhibitions and retrospectives around the world. Recently, in December 2024, Vogue featured a curated selection of Aarons' après-ski photographs, highlighting his ability to capture the elegance and leisure of the Alpine lifestyle. These images continue to inspire fashion and travel enthusiasts, reflecting the enduring appeal of Aarons' work.
Enlisting in the U.S. Army at 18, he began his career as a photographer at West Point before serving as a combat photographer during World War II, where he earned a Purple Heart. Reflecting on his experiences, Aarons famously stated that combat had taught him that "the only beach worth landing on was decorated with beautiful, seminude girls tanning in a tranquil sun."
After the war, Aarons relocated to California, where his photography career flourished. He became renowned for his celebrity portraits and captured some of Hollywood's most iconic figures. His most celebrated photograph, Kings of Hollywood (1957), shows Clark Gable, Van Heflin, Gary Cooper, and James Stewart lounging at a bar on New Year's Eve, dressed in formal attire. His work appeared in prestigious magazines such as Life, Town & Country, and Holiday.
Aarons became known for his authentic, unstyled approach to photography, preferring to photograph "attractive people doing attractive things in attractive places." He never used a stylist or makeup artist, allowing his subjects' natural beauty to shine through. A prime example of this style is his 1970 Poolside Gossip photograph at Richard Neutra's Kaufmann House, which features Nelda Linsk, the house's owner, as one of the models.
In a 2002 interview with The Independent (London), Aarons shared, "I knew everyone. They would invite me to one of their parties because they knew I wouldn't hurt them. I was one of them." His relationships with his subjects were key to his success and candid approach. His personal influence even extended to film; the apartment in Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window (1954), where Jimmy Stewart's photographer character resides, is said to be based on Aarons' own apartment.
Nationality
Categories
Artistic movements
Themes
Boating In Antigua 1961 Slim Aarons Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print
Slim Aarons
Photography - 101.6 x 101.6 cm Photography - 40 x 40 inch
£3,124
Apres Ski 1961 Slim Aarons Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print
Slim Aarons
Photography - 101.6 x 152.4 cm Photography - 40 x 60 inch
£3,124
Culinary Heights, 1987 Slim Aarons Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print
Slim Aarons
Photography - 101.6 x 152.4 cm Photography - 40 x 60 inch
£3,124
Hotel Du Cap-Eden-Roc, 1969 Slim Aarons Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print
Slim Aarons
Photography - 101.6 x 152.4 cm Photography - 40 x 60 inch
£3,124
Von Oswald House, 1986 Slim Aarons Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print
Slim Aarons
Photography - 101.6 x 152.4 cm Photography - 40 x 60 inch
£3,124
Guests At Villa Nirvana, 1978 Slim Aarons Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print
Slim Aarons
Photography - 101.6 x 152.4 cm Photography - 40 x 60 inch
£3,124
Chateau St. Jean, 1973 Slim Aarons Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print
Slim Aarons
Photography - 101.6 x 152.4 cm Photography - 40 x 60 inch
£3,124
Polo Match Close Up - 1990 Slim Aarons Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print
Slim Aarons
Photography - 101.6 x 152.4 cm Photography - 40 x 60 inch
£3,124
Polo Match - 1990 Slim Aarons Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print
Slim Aarons
Photography - 101.6 x 152.4 cm Photography - 40 x 60 inch
£3,124
Poolside In Arizona - 1973 Slim Aarons Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print
Slim Aarons
Photography - 101.6 x 152.4 cm Photography - 40 x 60 inch
£3,124
Villa Vera - Slim Aarons Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print
Slim Aarons
Photography - 101.6 x 152.4 cm Photography - 40 x 60 inch
£3,124
NY Apartments - 1953 Slim Aarons Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print
Slim Aarons
Photography - 76.2 x 76.2 cm Photography - 30 x 30 inch
£2,649
Pool On Amalfi Coast - 1984 Slim Aarons Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print
Slim Aarons
Photography - 152.4 x 101.6 cm Photography - 60 x 40 inch
£3,124
Polo Party - 1981 Slim Aarons Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print
Slim Aarons
Photography - 101.6 x 152.4 cm Photography - 40 x 60 inch
£3,124
Kaufmann Desert House - 1970 Slim Aarons Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print
Slim Aarons
Photography - 101.6 x 152.4 cm Photography - 40 x 60 inch
£3,124
Scone Madam - 1960 Slim Aarons Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print
Slim Aarons
Photography - 101.6 x 152.4 cm Photography - 40 x 60 inch
£3,124
Poolside Backgammon, 1972 Slim Aarons Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print
Slim Aarons
Photography - 101.6 x 152.4 cm Photography - 40 x 60 inch
£3,124
Audrey Hepburn And Friends 1953
Slim Aarons
Photography - 101.6 x 101.6 cm Photography - 40 x 40 inch
£3,247
Hobe Sound Bubble Houses
Slim Aarons
Photography - 101 x 101 x 0.01 cm Photography - 39.8 x 39.8 x 0 inch
£5,439
Dimitris Kritsas
Slim Aarons
Photography - 152 x 152 x 0.01 cm Photography - 59.8 x 59.8 x 0 inch
£5,439
Palm Springs Pool
Slim Aarons
Photography - 101 x 152 x 0.01 cm Photography - 39.8 x 59.8 x 0 inch
£4,523
Chalet Costi
Slim Aarons
Photography - 152 x 152 x 0.01 cm Photography - 59.8 x 59.8 x 0 inch
£5,236
Brunch at Brennans Limited Estate Stamped Edition
Slim Aarons
Photography - 152 x 152 x 0.01 cm Photography - 59.8 x 59.8 x 0 inch
£5,236
Party on the Steps
Slim Aarons
Photography - 152 x 101 x 0.01 cm Photography - 59.8 x 39.8 x 0 inch
£4,523
Poolside Socialites
Slim Aarons
Photography - 101 x 152 x 0.01 cm Photography - 39.8 x 59.8 x 0 inch
£4,523
Poolside Host
Slim Aarons
Photography - 101 x 152 x 0.01 cm Photography - 39.8 x 59.8 x 0 inch
£4,523
Poolside Dreams
Slim Aarons
Photography - 101 x 152 x 0.01 cm Photography - 39.8 x 59.8 x 0 inch
£4,523
Desert House Party
Slim Aarons
Photography - 76 x 101 x 0.01 cm Photography - 29.9 x 39.8 x 0 inch
£3,511
Henley Regatta
Slim Aarons
Photography - 76 x 101 x 0.01 cm Photography - 29.9 x 39.8 x 0 inch
£3,511
Saks Fashion Show
Slim Aarons
Photography - 51 x 76 x 0.01 cm Photography - 20.1 x 29.9 x 0 inch
£3,265
Poolside Ladies
Slim Aarons
Photography - 41 x 51 x 0.01 cm Photography - 16.1 x 20.1 x 0 inch
£2,508
Polo Party - 1981 Slim Aarons Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print
Slim Aarons
Photography - 50.8 x 61 cm Photography - 20 x 24 inch
£3,010
Poolside Ladies
Slim Aarons
Photography - 51 x 76 x 0.01 cm Photography - 20.1 x 29.9 x 0 inch
£3,265
Discover the movements linked to Slim Aarons
Discover similar artists
Keith Haring
United States
Andy Warhol
United States
Jean-Michel Basquiat
United States
Bernhard Lang
Germany
Roy Lichtenstein
United States
Man Ray
United States
Jill Peters
United States
Julia Whitehead
United Kingdom
Discover our selections of works by artists
Need help finding your favorite? Consult our selection pages made for you.
Need to know more?
What happened to Slim Aarons?
Slim Aarons, renowned for his glamorous photographs of high society, continued working until his death in 2006 at age 89. His iconic images remain influential in contemporary art and photography.
Are Slim Aarons prints valuable?
Slim Aarons prints can be valuable, especially vintage or limited edition prints with provenance. Their value depends on factors like edition size, condition, signature, and subject matter, with some fetching several thousand dollars at auction.
Where are Slim Aarons photos taken?
Slim Aarons' photos were mainly taken in glamorous locations such as the French Riviera, Palm Beach, Capri, and Hollywood, capturing the lifestyles of the rich and famous. He often photographed luxury resorts, private estates, and exclusive parties.
What is Slim Aarons photography style?
Slim Aarons' photography style is characterized by vibrant, sun-drenched images capturing the glamorous lifestyles of the elite, often in luxurious settings. He focused on candid, yet carefully composed scenes that exude elegance and leisure.