The challenges of 2020 haven’t undermined my semi-addictive love for collecting art and photography books. Though I miss the in-store-hanging-out-with-my-wife-and-a-cup-of-coffee experience, I’ve added to my collection quite handily by supporting independent bookstores around the country. Here are a few of my favorite purchases of 2020.
Annie Leibovitz - American Music
Considering the influence rock and roll photography has on my images, it’s surprising this one is just now landing in my collection. From front to back, it’s pure inspiration. My favorites are the spontaneous jam session shot of Charlie Sexton and Doyle Bramhall II (which inspired our last Rockstar Session) and the deliciously devilish Tom Waits attacking the Hammond organ. A must have that I now have.
Peter Lindbergh - On Fashion Photography
When I was in New York 18 months ago, I saw a whole array of Peter Lindbergh books at the 5th Avenue Barnes & Noble. If it weren’t for the travails of transportation — how many extra suitcases can I manage? — I would’ve bought them all.
Then he passed away last fall and, as you’d imagine, his books became hard to find and very expensive. Recently the people at Better World Books have come to the rescue and now three of his volumes are now in my collection.
This is my favorite, a gigantic compendium including many of his most famous photos, shot for virtually every major fashion house on the planet. Beyond the obvious beauty of the super models — Kate Moss for Marc Jacobs is exquisite — there are less obvious treats like the candid of John Malkovich applying mascara during a shoot for Miuccia Prada.
Richard Avedon - Photographs 1946-2004
This book was published in August 2007 by the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art for a retrospective that opened that same month. It’s not a book that’s new to me; it’s been on my library card many times over the last decade.
Now it’s on my coffee table, thanks to Godfather’s Books in Astoria, OR, where I found a freshly sealed copy for just $70. There was a sublime dynamism to Avedon’s work that will, no doubt find it’s way into my pictures somehow. My favorites are the standing-still portrait of David Bowie and the flying-through-the-air fashion photo of Verushka.
Serge Normant - Metamorphosis
Serge Normant is not a photographer. He’s a hairstylist who’s worked with every major photographer, fashion brand and magazine on the planet. What’s cool about this book is the diversity of styles and range of photographers who are included. My favorites are the stunningly simple portrait of a young Reese Witherspoon by Herb Ritts, the cover image of Julia Roberts and an off-the-charts photo of Gisele Bundchen created by Patrick DeMarchelier.
Gruau - Portraits of Men
Before photographers dominated magazines, illustrators were the rockstars of the fashion world. Rene Gruau (who was born Count Renato Zavagli Ricciardelli della Caminate) was one such illustrator. Born in 1909, he was a published professional by the time he was 18 years old and worked well into his 80s.
This book, published by Assouline, compiles some of his most dynamic work, from 1950s covers of long-retired men’s culture magazines to advertising images he created for the likes of Dior and Bemberg in the 1970s and 80s.
Support Independent Bookstores!
I’m not here to slag on the Amazon and Barnes & Noble. I buy from them on a regular basis. But let’s not forget the heartbeat of the American book trade: the independent bookstore. They need our support more than ever. Please buy from these stores. Click on the name to get to their website.
Powell’s World of Books, Portland, OR
The Tattered Cover, Denver, CO
Strand Books, New York, NY
BookPeople, Austin, TX
Elliott Bay Book Company, Seattle, WA
For books about arts and culture, specifically, there are a few great publishers who sell online including Assouline and Taschen.