The 2024 International Photography Awards showcased a breathtaking spectrum of creativity, innovation, and visual storytelling. From high-concept fashion editorials to stripped-back beauty portraits, last year’s winners in the Professional Advertising: Beauty and Fashion categories exemplify the artistry and precision that define world-class photography. Let’s take a closer look at the six standout entries that captured the judges’ attention.
Layla by Jodie Mann
Layla is a masterclass in high-end beauty photography. Shot for Lucy’s Magazine’s 76th print edition, Jodie Mann’s image brings together a creative team to craft an ethereal and empowered visual narrative. Model Layla’s poised elegance is framed by meticulous lighting, styling, and digital artistry, resulting in a portrait that blurs the line between fashion and fine art. Every element, from the soft textures to the confident gaze, feels intentional, yet effortless.
Clean Girl by Rodolphe Debyser
Simple, striking, and contemporary. Clean Girl embodies the modern beauty aesthetic with precision and grace. Captured using a Sony A7RV and macro lens, Debyser’s portrait of Elisa leans into minimalism to highlight purity and natural allure. There’s no elaborate styling or ornate backdrops here; instead, the photo shines with clarity and control, letting texture, skin, and expression speak volumes. A true study in less-is-more.
Shades of Humanity by Vesper Chen
In Shades of Humanity, Vesper Chen strips beauty back to its emotional core. This black-and-white portrait removes the distraction of color to delve deeper into human expression. Through subtle contrast and fine details, the face becomes a story. Chen’s lens becomes a window into the soul, proving that beauty lies not only in what is seen, but in what is felt.
NATAN by Jeffrey Vanhoutte
When haute couture meets fine art, the result is nothing short of extraordinary. Commissioned by the luxury fashion house NATAN, this visually rich series by Jeffrey Vanhoutte is a symphony of disciplines: fashion design by Edouard Vermeulen’s team, conceptual artistry by Christophe Coppens, and sculptural elements by Annick Vandecapelle. Vanhoutte’s photography seamlessly weaves these elements into a harmonious whole — elegant, bold, and unmistakably high fashion.
Miami Heat by Genevieve Charbonneau
Charbonneau’s Miami Heat takes us on a dreamlike voyage down the Miami River, blending travel, fashion, and storytelling into one irresistible editorial. Captured aboard a sleek catamaran under radiant skies, the series exudes a sense of effortless glamour. Model Paulina’s magnetic presence, paired with the dazzling setting and sleek styling, creates an editorial that feels both luxurious and alive.
Timeless Elegance in Silver and Black by Yumiko Komatsu
Yumiko Komatsu’s entry is a celebration of refinement and collaboration. Created alongside costume artist SU-CUBE and a talented creative team, Timeless Elegance in Silver and Black presents a vision of contemporary fashion grounded in classic aesthetic values. The composition, color palette, and styling all nod to timeless design while embracing avant-garde textures and silhouettes. A visual poem that speaks in tones of silver, shadow, and sophistication.
Conclusion
These six winning entries remind us that advertising photography — whether in beauty or fashion — is as much about vision as it is about craft. Each image tells a story, evokes emotion, and elevates the commercial into the realm of the artistic. Congratulations to all the winners for their inspiring contributions to the world of visual culture.