Slim Aarons
  • Biography
  • Artworks
  • Movements

Slim Aarons

United States • 1916 - 2006  558 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.

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All artworks

Photography

Print

Photography, Poolside Party, Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 76.2 x 101.6 cm Photography . 30 x 40 inch

€3,125

Recommended by Artsper
Photography, Vane's Villa (S), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 30.5 x 40.6 cm Photography . 12 x 16 inch

€2,153

Photography, Coming Ashore, Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 152 x 101 cm Photography . 59.8 x 39.8 inch

€4,650

Recommended by Artsper
Photography, Vane's Villa (XS), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 25.4 x 30.5 cm Photography . 10 x 12 inch

€1,615

Print, Digging for clams, Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Print . 101 x 101 cm Print . 39.8 x 39.8 inch

€3,315

Recommended by Artsper
Photography, David Nightingale Hicks (S), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 40.6 x 30.5 cm Photography . 16 x 12 inch

€2,153

Photography, Dining On Capri Al Fresco, Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 256.5 x 386.1 cm Photography . 101 x 152 inch

€4,600

Print, Keep your cool, Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Print . 121 x 183 cm Print . 47.6 x 72 inch

€4,300

Photography, David Nightingale Hicks (XS), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 30.5 x 25.4 cm Photography . 12 x 10 inch

€1,615

Photography, Nicely Coiffed, Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 51 x 76 cm Photography . 20.1 x 29.9 inch

€3,350

Print, Decked in Finery, Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Print . 76 x 51 cm Print . 29.9 x 20.1 inch

€2,670

Photography, Comte d'Arcangues (S), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 40.6 x 30.5 cm Photography . 16 x 12 inch

€2,153

Photography, Comte d'Arcangues (XS), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 30.5 x 25.4 cm Photography . 12 x 10 inch

€1,615

Photography, Pool In St Tropez (S), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 30.5 x 40.6 cm Photography . 12 x 16 inch

€2,153

Photography, Pool In St Tropez (XS), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 25.4 x 30.5 cm Photography . 10 x 12 inch

€1,615

Photography, Pool At Las Hadas (S), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 30.5 x 40.6 cm Photography . 12 x 16 inch

€2,153

Photography, Clifftop Pool (S), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 30.5 x 40.6 cm Photography . 12 x 16 inch

€2,153

Photography, Clifftop Pool (XS), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 25.4 x 30.5 cm Photography . 10 x 12 inch

€1,615

Photography, Neo-Classical Pool (S), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 30.5 x 40.6 cm Photography . 12 x 16 inch

€2,153

Photography, Neo-Classical Pool (XS), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 25.4 x 30.5 cm Photography . 10 x 12 inch

€1,615

Photography, Droulers And Daughters (S), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 30.5 x 30.5 cm Photography . 12 x 12 inch

€2,153

Photography, Droulers And Daughters (XS), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 25.4 x 25.4 cm Photography . 10 x 10 inch

€1,615

Photography, Hotel du Cap Eden-Roc (XS), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 30.5 x 25.4 cm Photography . 12 x 10 inch

€2,099

Photography, Cortina d'Ampezzo (S), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 40.6 x 30.5 cm Photography . 16 x 12 inch

€2,153

Photography, Cortina d'Ampezzo (XS), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 30.5 x 25.4 cm Photography . 12 x 10 inch

€1,615

Photography, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (S), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 30.5 x 40.6 cm Photography . 12 x 16 inch

€2,153

Photography, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (XS), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 25.4 x 30.5 cm Photography . 10 x 12 inch

€1,615

Photography, Polo In Buenos Aires (S), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 30.5 x 40.6 cm Photography . 12 x 16 inch

€2,153

Photography, Polo In Buenos Aires (XS), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 25.4 x 30.5 cm Photography . 10 x 12 inch

€1,615

Photography, Copacabana Beach, Brazil (S), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 40.6 x 30.5 cm Photography . 16 x 12 inch

€2,153

Photography, Copacabana Beach, Brazil (XS), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 30.5 x 25.4 cm Photography . 12 x 10 inch

€1,615

Photography, Swimming In Spain (S), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 40.6 x 30.5 cm Photography . 16 x 12 inch

€2,153

Photography, Swimming In Spain (XS), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 30.5 x 25.4 cm Photography . 12 x 10 inch

€1,615

Photography, Elisabetta Catalano (S), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 40.6 x 30.5 cm Photography . 16 x 12 inch

€2,153

Photography, Elisabetta Catalano (XS), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 30.5 x 25.4 cm Photography . 12 x 10 inch

€1,615

Photography, Cortina d'Ampezz, Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 40.6 x 30.5 cm Photography . 16 x 12 inch

€2,153

Photography, Vane's Villa (M), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 40.6 x 50.8 cm Photography . 16 x 20 inch

€2,691

Photography, David Nightingale Hicks (XXL), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 101.6 x 76.2 cm Photography . 40 x 30 inch

€3,767

Photography, David Nightingale Hicks (XL), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 76.2 x 50.8 cm Photography . 30 x 20 inch

€3,498

Photography, David Nightingale Hicks (L), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 61 x 50.8 cm Photography . 24 x 20 inch

€3,229

Photography, David Nightingale Hicks (M), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 50.8 x 40.6 cm Photography . 20 x 16 inch

€2,691

Photography, Comte d'Arcangues (XXL), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 101.6 x 76.2 cm Photography . 40 x 30 inch

€3,767

Photography, Comte d'Arcangues (XL), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 76.2 x 50.8 cm Photography . 30 x 20 inch

€3,498

Photography, Comte d'Arcangues (L), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 61 x 50.8 cm Photography . 24 x 20 inch

€3,229

Photography, Comte d'Arcangues (M), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 50.8 x 40.6 cm Photography . 20 x 16 inch

€2,691

Photography, Pool In St Tropez (XXL), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 76.2 x 101.6 cm Photography . 30 x 40 inch

€3,767

Photography, Pool In St Tropez (XL), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 50.8 x 76.2 cm Photography . 20 x 30 inch

€3,498

Photography, Pool In St Tropez (L), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 50.8 x 61 cm Photography . 20 x 24 inch

€3,229

Photography, Pool In St Tropez (M), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 40.6 x 50.8 cm Photography . 16 x 20 inch

€2,691

Photography, Pool At Las Hadas (XXL), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 76.2 x 101.6 cm Photography . 30 x 40 inch

€3,767

Photography, Pool At Las Hadas (XL), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 50.8 x 76.2 cm Photography . 20 x 30 inch

€3,498

Photography, Pool At Las Hadas (L), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 50.8 x 61 cm Photography . 20 x 24 inch

€3,229

Photography, Pool At Las Hadas (M), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 40.6 x 50.8 cm Photography . 16 x 20 inch

€2,691

Photography, Clifftop Pool (XXL), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 76.2 x 101.6 cm Photography . 30 x 40 inch

€3,767

Photography, Clifftop Pool (XL), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 50.8 x 76.2 cm Photography . 20 x 30 inch

€3,498

Photography, Clifftop Pool (L), Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 50.8 x 61 cm Photography . 20 x 24 inch

€3,229

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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.