Photography: Mario testino

1. Mario Testino
Mario Testino was born in Lima, Peru in
1954. He was the eldest of seven
children born to an Italian father and
an Irish mother.
He is a homosexual and has never
married.
He is now 56 and is still a highly
successful photographer, continuing to
work for huge companies.

2. Background
Early years
Mario Testino is originally from Peru,
although his father comes from an Italian
origin, and his mother, Irish.
He came to London in 1976 when he
was in his late twenties and fell in love
with the way it was so different from
where he grew up. He lived in an
abandoned hospital near Trafalgar
Square, and began selling portfolios for
£25 to wannabe models.

3. Background
Professional Career
It was in 1997 that he photographed the late
Diana, Princess of Wales for the cover of Vanity
Fair magazine. The response to these images
were overwhelming, they were picked up on 66
television programmes across the country and
dozens of readers wrote to Vanity Fair
expressing their enthusiasm that the princess
was ‘finally free’.
Since the Princesses death in 1997, just five
months after the photos were taken, Testinos
images have remained the most enduring images
of the Princess.

4. Imagery
Mario Testino has photographed
celebrities such as:
- Diana, Princess of Wales and her sons
- Kim Basinger
- Kate Moss
- Cameron Diaz
- Gwyneth Paltrow
- Lady Gaga
- Madonna
And contributed to the image
development of companies such as:
- Burberry
- Gucci
- Dolce & Gabbana
- Estee Lauder
- Zara

5. Imagery
This is most likely Testinos most famous and
successful photograph.
Taken in 199 7, just 5 months before her death,
they were seen as being iconic images of the
Princess. They showed her in a state of
relaxation and comfort unlike any other
photographs had done in the past, since she
always had to act appropriately due to being in
the Royal Family.
“I cannot just have one fabulous thing, I need a hundred. That is why I'm always
working.”Mario Testino

6. Bibliography
Websites:
www.vogue.co.uk
www.mariotestino.com
www.daylife.com
www.artnet.com
www.vanityfair.com
Books:
‘Any Objections?’ By Mario Testino
‘Portraits’ By Mario Testino
‘Let Me In!’ By Mario Testino