These Are the First Vogue Cover Photos Shot by a Black Photographer
Last month it was reported that 23-year-old Tyler Mitchell would become the first black photographer to shoot the cover of Vogue in the iconic fashion magazine’s 125-year history, thanks to him being hand-picked by Beyonce for the job. It’s now official, as his photos were just published.
I cried 3 times already this morning. Here’s Beyonce by me for the September 2018 cover of American Vogue.https://t.co/S7JiYGDAG5 pic.twitter.com/l1ZsfvaK6G
— Tyler Mitchell (@Tyler_Mitchell_) August 6, 2018
The photo shoot was held at a dilapidated English country house. Beyonce also published the full set of Mitchell’s portraits of her in Instagram galleries:
Mitchell is among the youngest photographers ever to have their work featured on Vogue’s cover. David Bailey had a cover photo at 23, and Irving Penn was featured at 26.
In an interview with Vogue, Mitchell says he’s well aware of his place in the magazine’s photographic history.
“For so long, black people have been considered things,” Mitchell says. “We’ve been thingified physically, sexually, emotionally. With my work I’m looking to revitalize and elevate the black body.”
Thinking bout 2017! pic.twitter.com/iouyVfKK4W
— Tyler Mitchell (@Tyler_Mitchell_) December 30, 2016
“I’m a concerned photographer,” Mitchell states. “There was a ladder for the people who came before me, and there’s a ladder now—it’s just a new ladder. I want to open the eyes of the kids younger than me, show them that they can do this too.”
