“WHETHER SOMEONE IS FAMOUS OR NOT, IT’S ABOUT THE HUMANITY OF A PERSON”
better and hotter in terms of people loving it,” as he told the paper. “I’ve been that kid. You lose it and you have to regain your status. To have been doing it for 30 years and still enjoying it and being successful and doing great work is a real privilege, but I have to work my ass off.”
Among the many celebrities Rankin has photographed over the years include Queen Elizabeth II, David Bowie, Ewan Mcgregor, Björk, Vivienne Westwood, Kate Moss, and Heidi Klum. In addition to numerous ad campaigns, including Belstaff and The Macallan, he shot the visual art for the 2015 James Bond film Spectre, as well as covers for the likes of Elle, Esquire, Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, GQ, and Rolling Stone; and music videos for artists ranging from Iggy Azalea, Kelis and Future. Klum, one of best friends, also brought him on as a guest judge for Germany’s Next Top Model, the hugely popular show for which Klum serves as lead judge and executive producer, leading to his becoming something of a household name in Germany.
Almost as well known, perhaps, as Leica itself, whose legendary reputation, they note, “is based on a long tradition of excellent quality, German craftsmanship and German industrial design, combined with innovative technologies.” However it is their equal devotion to the advancement of photography as an art form, from the Leica Galleries and Leica Akademies around the world, to the Leica Hall of Fame Award, the Leica Oskar Barnack Award—and exhibitions such as Rankin’s—that helps ensure their continued iconic status.