Gilles Bensimon: shoot like you're on vacation

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Gilles Bensimon is a truly unique phenomenon in fashion photography. He once wanted to photograph what he loved, and to do so, he created his own glossy magazine. Now everyone knows this publication—it's the American version of ELLE. But then he got fed up and abandoned his brainchild. Gilles became a cult photographer, shooting supermodels. Yes, that happens. But only from the outside might it seem like Bensimon has it all. The photographer spent his entire life making titanic efforts to… not work.

Sara Sampaio for Maxim, 2016

The future photographer was born in 1944 in the canton of Vic-sur-Cère, France, to a family of artists. As a child, Gilles suffered from dyslexia, and his parents introduced him to art as therapy. Bensimon began drawing and soon achieved significant success in this field.

Model Bregje Heijnen

The photographer now admits that in his youth, he didn't want to work. He graduated from art school, then served in the army. When it came time to choose his path in life, he even considered becoming a drug dealer to avoid overwork. But he came to his senses in time, weighing the pros and cons of this option.

Heidi Klum

Bensimon found a job as a photographer at a small magazine and worked productively for several months. Then, oddly enough, the unknown provincial photographer was invited to work at ELLE. At first, a career at a popular publication seemed tempting. But later, he realized he wouldn't be allowed to shoot the way he wanted.

Alessandra Ambrosio for Glamour, 2015

Then Gilles found a similarly young and ambitious partner and went with him to the United States. There, the partners didn't waste time, but opened an American version of ELLE. They were ridiculed and mocked, with claims that Americans wouldn't buy a French magazine. But Bensimon and his partner made the publication so Western-friendly that millions loved it.

Candice Swanepoel for Maxim, 2015

In one interview, the master said he was the only photographer in history to become the art director of a magazine. He then added with a laugh that he had to found the magazine to do so. In the 1980s, Bensimon spent more time with his camera on the beach than in his company's office.

Edita Vilkevičiūtė, Vogue Australia, 2014

The press wrote that the photographer produced beautiful work the way others take pictures on vacation. In reality, Bensimon already knew his youthful dream had come true, and he was no longer working. Can creativity that brings daily pleasure really be called work?

Hailey Baldwin (Bieber) for Maxim, 2017

Creativity is freedom

Then Gilles Bensimon did the unthinkable. He left the magazine to which he had devoted decades and became a "freelance artist." He shot for Vogue, Glamour, and Maxim, and his models included Cindy Crawford, Stephanie Seymour, Elle Macpherson, Christy Turlington, Charlize Theron, Linda Evangelista, and Gisele Bündchen.

Nina Agdal for Maxim

Despite his advanced age, Bensimon continues to work actively. He's a true generator of ideas, and some of the stars of world photography come to him for advice.

Maggie Rawlins for Maxim, 2021

Bregje Heinen for Maxim, 2017

Lana Zakocela, Maxim, 2017

Kate Upton for Maxim, 2018

Isabeli Fontana for Maxim magazine, 2015

Karlie Kloss for Vogue 2014

Anna Vyalitsyna for Maxim, 2016

In Pink, 1989

Giselle Bündchen

Charlize Theron

Elizabeth Hurley

Emily Di Donato for Maxim, 2015