SUPER MAGAZINE LESLIE KEE

Knowing and working with Leslie Kee is such an incredible honor. Whenever Leslie comes to our photography studio, he’s a force to be reckoned with. He always exceeds expectations and somehow brings the most amazing people together. One of the many things I have learned from Leslie is his incredible admiration for Richard Avedon, who would have turned 100 years old this year.

To honor the late Mr. Avedon Leslie has traveled great lengths, shot 100 covers and editorials in a total of 1000 pages of portraits, which are now finally collected in three issues of Super Magazine. In this majestic collection of over 100 people, Leslie pays tribute to a man who taught him through his portraits to capture the essence of his subjects who, as Cindy Crawford puts it, « come alive » in his work.

Among the numerous icons featured in this collection you can find Heidi Klum, Francisco Lakhowski, Maggie Q and many more.

Through his work, Leslie reminds us that there is a « before » and « after » Richard Avedon: a man who revolutionized photography and fashion.

The first photography book that Leslie ever bought was » In the American West » by Richard Avedon. Between 1979 and 1984 Mr Avedon was commissioned by the Amon Carter Museum of American Art to travel through the west of the United States and capture « something new » referring to the perception of the west being limited to rugged cowboys and pastoral beauty. Mr Avedon set on a journey far from Hollywood glam, into the heart of a less fashionable reality of the country. What he captures is far from the warm and romantic vision of the west but rather the crude reality of workers, farmers and the hardships of those trying to get by.

« In the American West » Portraits by Richard Avedon

In his letter to Mr. Avedon, Leslie says » I realize that Avedon’s photobook has been the most influential piece of photographic art work. It made me think about the meaning of life and was the catalyst for me to begin my journey as a photographer. » It is through his work that Leslie understood his role as a photographer. He says about photography that « It has the magic to inspire humans to live graciously in our chaotic world. » Portraying someone through photography is not just about the image, it’s about capturing the soul of the subject, it’s about seeing something within the person that they might not see themselves.

We are extremely proud to have been part of Leslie’s journey and to be able to present his work. If you know Leslie you know what a tenacious and incredible photographer and person he is. This is the conclusion of a life long journey and the beginning of something new. We are excited to see what’s next !

Credits :

Photographer : @lesliekeesuper
Stylists : @starburleigh , @yyuuaannqqiiaann
Hair Makeup: @morimitsumiyamoto @tatsuyasuzuki_@ysk_jp
Photo Assistants: @edwardkwendt @foto_patriciaburen