Juergen Teller - Life and Career

Life and Career

Teller studied at the Bayerische Staatslehranstalt für Photographie in Munich, Germany (1984–1986). In order to avoid military national service he learned English and, at the age of 22, moved to London in 1986.

Teller’s work, in books, magazines or exhibitions, is marked by his refusal to separate the commercial fashion pictures and his mostly autobiographical un-commissioned images. He employs a raw, overexposed style and he uses a Contax G2 camera with an onboard flash. He prefers to work in color, and regularly includes himself in his photographs. His fashion photographs have been featured in The Face, Vogue (US, France, England, Italy), Another Magazine, Index, W Magazine, Self Service, Details, Purple, i-D and 032c, among others.

Teller first gained wider recognition in 1996 with his front cover of Süddeutsche Zeitung Magazine featuring a nude Kristen McMenamy with the word ‘Versace’ drawn in a heart across her chest. In 1997, Marc Jacobs began to collaborate with Teller's then-partner Venetia Scott to style his collections. Since 1998, Teller has shot campaigns for Marc Jacobs. For the brand's 2005 campaign, he photographed himself with Cindy Sherman. Other collaborations for Marc Jacobs campaigns involved, among others, Winona Ryder, Sofia Coppola, Charlotte Rampling, Michael Stipe, Rufus Wainwright, Harmony Korine, and Roni Horn.

Teller has also had long collaborations with other designers and fashion houses over the years including Helmut Lang, Yves Saint Laurent (since 2005), Vivienne Westwood. He has recently collaborated with Céline. He frequently works with the musician Björk. Teller has also photographed many artists, including William Eggleston and Roni Horn.

Teller has also directed several short films including Can I Own Myself in 1998 in which he also appears.

Teller is married to UK contemporary art dealer Sadie Coles.