Photographer of the Stars Wayne Mather: Provocation Becomes Art

Wayne Maser is one of those photographers whose work is unmistakable. His iconic images for glossy magazines and Playboy have become emblematic of an entire era: bold, revealing, yet always refined. Maser masterfully combined the beauty of the body with the interplay of light and shadow, creating not just photographs but true visual stories. His style shaped the notion of glamour and eroticism in the late 20th century, and he himself became a legend in the world of fashion and magazine photography. (Caution: Nudity.)

Wayne Mather was born in 1946 in Pennsylvania, USA. In high school, he decided to become a doctor and enrolled in medical school at the University of Pennsylvania. But just a year later, he realized medicine wasn't his calling. He dropped out and began studying photography at the Philadelphia College of Art.

The young photographer's first professional job was an advertising campaign for Guess Jeans. It propelled the brand to the forefront of the fashion world and launched models such as Yasmin Le Bon, Carla Bruni, and Anna Nicole Smith. After this success, Mazer had no problems finding work.

Early in his career, Mather was compared to Richard Avedon and Helmut Newton. He even attracted numerous imitators. Fashion brands and magazine editors appreciated his bold vision. He soon became a protégé of Alexander Liberman, creative director of Condé Nast, shooting exclusively for American Vogue.

In 1990, Mazer moved from New York to Los Angeles, where he created groundbreaking celebrity portraits for Interview, Vanity Fair, and Harper's Bazaar. He also signed a contract with Ridley Scott's production company, RSA-USA. The photographer shot commercials and music videos for artists such as Mariah Carey and Mary J. Blige.

In 1996, Mazer returned to New York. There, he created advertising campaigns for Calvin Klein and DKNY. He also continued to shoot covers and projects for Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire, and Esquire. He was particularly in demand for his iconic portraits of film and music legends.

Wayne Mazer has created world-famous portraits of Johnny Depp, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Clint Eastwood, Brigitte Nielsen, Whitney Houston, Claudia Schiffer, Woody Harrelson, Angelina Jolie, Elizabeth Taylor and Mikhail Baryshnikov.

In the 21st century, Mazer spent his time shuttling between Italy and New York. He worked for Vanity Fair, Paris Match, A Magazine, L'Uomo Vogue, as well as the British, French, Australian, and Russian editions of Vogue. He currently lives and works in Milan.

Wayne Mather's photographs have long transcended the glossy pages, becoming iconic symbols of their time. His work continues to spark debate—some see it as art, others as mere provocation. What do you think: is Mather a brilliant master of visual aesthetics or a provocateur who worked on the edge of what was permitted?