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“It doesn't matter what you put in front of my camera… an actor, a model, a musician or a piece of furniture, that subject will leave looking and feeling stronger and more beautiful than it did when it arrived.” - Tony Duran's Journal 1998
At his core, Tony Duran is a visionary cinematic portrait photographer. He sees the world through a completely different lens than others. Duran's distinctive creative process and collaborative approach allow the subject to take on a freedom of expression and joy of participation that is truly unique. Duran is known for leading people to a vision they never knew was possible, but one that they always aspire towards.
As an obsessive student of history and pop culture, his creative endeavors have defined personalities, catapulted careers and elevated brands across the world. He in no way is limited to one genre of subject matter. As an artist, designer, director and writer, he has amassed a prolific body of work. Regardless of subject matter it all retains a very distinct Duran style that is both timeless and intriguing. One can't help but take pause, take note, and see the beauty in the world differently.
Duran's work is not based on big production or unneeded artifice. He gets to the core of the subject matter and finds the most intriguing layers to showcase. It is little known that Duran rarely uses lights or sophisticated equipment but relies solely on a single camera and natural light. Duran's affability, humor, and genuine intrigue with people, leave an indelible mark on his subjects and clients.
Duran's vision for still images, the movement, the character and the storytelling smoothly transitioned into directing. In his film work, it is Duran's goal to fuse both still and moving imagery in a like voice and impactful result, positioning him to become a true content creator for new creative environment.
Duran's career began in Australia, where he discovered his life's calling by chance. It was here that he transitioned from working as a testing photographer to a full-time working artist. Returning to America, Duran got his first break shooting the groundbreaking album packaging for Jennifer Lopez, On The Six. This initial project launched Duran into a thriving music industry, shooting the likes of Beyonce, Kelly Clarkson, Alicia Keys, and Jessica Simpson. When these artists turned their visions into multifaceted brands. Tony was there to photograph and capture these momentous times in their careers. Fragrance, clothing labels, restaurants, beauty lines, and accessories became Duran's focus. This brought Tony to LA to take on the celebrity market. Duran's ability to transform and capture celebrities in his own unique fashion resulted in invitations to photograph Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Ryan Reynold, Anne Hathaway, Scarlett Johansson, Michelle Williams, Ashton Kutcher, Janelle Monae, Gabrielle Union, Mark Wahlberg, Naomi Watts, Ricky Martin to name a few. It is Duran's decade plus photo relationships with both JLo and Beyonce that have put an iconic mark on his portfolio. Duran has shot hundreds of covers and editorials for magazines such as Vogue, Glamour, Interview, Esquire, Elle, GQ, Rollingstone, Flaunt and Cosmopolitan.
Duran has forayed over the last few years into shooting design and lifestyle-oriented projects such as Kohler, The Cosmopolitan Hotel, Jean Louis Denoit for Baker, and the restaurant Barton G. with equally memorable results.
Tony Duran was born in the small town of Winona, Minnesota. He lived and worked freelance all over the world and now lives in Los Angeles, where he can be found renovating or designing homes. He enjoys the oh too occasional can of cold SpaghettiOs, watches way too many national geographic shows and is in constant search of creativity and inspiration.