Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons was an iconic American photographer whose work captured the glamour of high society and the jet set life. His iconic images of jet-setting movie stars and beautiful people living life to the fullest have been admired for decades.

Aarons was born George Allen Aarons in 1916 in New York City. As a young man, he worked as a freelance photographer for tabloids and newspapers, shooting celebrities and events on the city’s social scene. In the 1940’s he earned a living as a photojournalist for the United States Army Air Force. After the war, he worked for the American Society of magazine photographers and then the Magnum Photo Agency.

Aarons specialized in capturing modern luxuries and the lifestyles of the 'beautiful people'. He became a regular contributor to Town and Country and, in 1953, began working with Life magazine. His photographs were published in Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue and Holiday, among others.

Aarons was drawn to the extraordinary, shooting wealthy and famous figures such as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Truman Capote, Aristotle Onassis and Cary Grant. His work also featured fashionable and sophisticated images of skiers, golfers and polo players. In his signature style, Aarons depicted these scenes of sun-soaked and privileged lives in the most flawless way, eschewing reality yet managing to suggest an easy, sophisticated and timeless lifestyle.

Aarons’ best-known photographs have become icons of style. During the '60s, his pictures featured on the covers of books, magazines, postcards and even stationery. His work has appeared in exhibitions worldwide and his images have been featured in several books, including A Beautiful World (1979), La Dolce Vita (1982), A Place in the Sun (1983), and Hotel du Cap (1984).

His work can also be found outside of his published galleries. Slim Aarons' photographs are seen in luxury stores, magazines and galleries, while his images and videos grace the covers of books and the websites of luxury companies.

Slim Aarons died in 2006, leaving behind a timeless body of work. He will forever be remembered for living life and capturing it for those who could not. His photographs remind us what the good life is all about - elegance, style, comfort and class. The kind of life Aarons' photography has come to symbolize is what many aspire to, whether it is achieved or simply admired from a distance.