Edited by Andy Wass on
Ukraine-born Yelena Yemchuk got involved in photography as a teenager and an American transplant. She studied fine art and graphic design at Parsons, and at the Art Center in Pasadena, California.
She worked for a while in the music industry, directing videos and photographing recording artists. Most notably, she worked extensively with the Smashing Pumpkins (art direction for albums, music videos, etc.) and was even involved with frontman Billy Corgan for several years.
Yemchuk steadily exhibited her own photography and paintings in California. Now based in New York, she shoots mostly ad campaigns for fashion designers. Past clients include Vera Wang, Christian Lacroix, V Magazine, The New Yorker, international editions of Vogue, and many more.
The figures in Yemchuk’s shots are typically kinetic and dramatic. The settings are intentional and balanced. Her portfolio is incredible, and there were so many images to choose from. But these are some of my favorites from Yemchuk’s official website.
Cheers: Mary-Kate, Karl Lagerfeld, grunge, gypsies, birds -----Jeers: Ronsons, neon, ombre, gold, pants