John Rankin Waddell

Rankin is a prominent British photographer, publisher, and film director. He is the head of RANKIN, an agency that encompasses strategy, creative, and production services. With over 80 team members, RANKIN is known for producing groundbreaking campaigns for brands like Rolls Royce, Unilever, L'Oreal, and Samsonite. The agency also undertakes projects for charitable organizations such as Women's Aid and Macmillan. Additionally, Rankin has directed music videos for renowned artists including Miley Cyrus, Rita Ora, and Kelis.

Rankin's photography portfolio spans various genres, from captivating portraiture to documentary work. He has had the privilege of photographing notable individuals such as The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Kate Moss, Kendall Jenner, and even The Queen, among many others.

As a publisher, Rankin co-founded the influential magazine Dazed & Confused with Jefferson Hack in 1991. This endeavour marked the beginning of a successful publishing career. In addition to Dazed & Confused, Rankin has been involved in the creation of other acclaimed publications like AnOther and AnOther Man. He has also authored over 40 books and established the biannual fashion and culture platform, Hunger, which exists in both print and digital formats.

Rankin's photography has been widely published in various outlets, ranging from his own publications to renowned magazines such as Elle, Vogue, Esquire, GQ, Rolling Stone, and Wonderland. His work has also been exhibited in esteemed galleries worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

Rankin, born John Rankin Waddell in 1966 in Glasgow, is an English fashion and portrait photographer. He developed a passion for photography while studying at Brighton Polytechnic and later attended Barnfield College in Luton, United Kingdom, followed by the London College of Printing. In collaboration with Jefferson Hack, Rankin founded the influential magazine Dazed & Confused after their graduation.

In 1999, Rankin and Hack established Dazed Film & TV, a production company that produced the groundbreaking mast-head television special, "Renegade TV Gets Dazed." In 2000, Rankin launched RANK, a quarterly fashion magazine. The Dazed Group also publishes Another Man, HUNGER, and Another Magazine.

Rankin has photographed numerous celebrities, including Kate Moss, Spice Girls, Lily Allen, Britney Spears, Kevin Spacey, Cate Blanchett, Queen Elizabeth II, The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Juliette Binoche, Björk, and many others. His photography has garnered recognition, and he was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the Royal Photographic Society.

In 2009, Rankin initiated a project called Rankin Live, inviting people from all over the United Kingdom to participate. He also created a one-hour documentary for BBC Four titled "Seven Photographs that Changed Fashion," paying tribute to iconic photographers such as Erwin Blumenfeld, Helmut Newton, David Bailey, Cecil Beaton, Guy Bourdin, and Richard Avedon. The documentary featured dialogues with models, photographers, and assistants, including Erin O'Connor, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Daphne Guinness, Mollie Gondi, David Gandy, Jade Parfit, and Heidi Klum.

Rankin's career extends beyond fashion photography. He has worked on campaigns for renowned brands such as Coca-Cola, Levi's, BMW, H&M, Dove, Hugo Boss, L'Oreal, Rimmel, Nike, Reebok, Longchamp Aussi, Marks and Spencer's, among others. He has also engaged in various documentary projects, including "South Africa in Pictures" for BBC and the "Lace Up Save Lives" campaign commissioned by Nike and Bono's R.E.D, which aimed to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS.

In 2011, Rankin served as a photography teacher on the Channel 4 series "Jamie's Dream School" and presented the BBC Four documentary "America in Pictures: The Story of Life Magazine." He has directed music videos for artists such as Azealia Banks and Cheryl Cole and worked on television commercials for Dove and Rimmel, often collaborating with Chris Cottam. Rankin and Cottam also co-directed the gangster film "The Lives of the Saints," shot in London. Additionally, Rankin has produced promotional music videos for Nelly Furtado, Robyn, The Noisettes, Kelis, The Enemy, and Marina and the Diamonds.

Rankin has contributed his photography services to charitable causes as well. He has worked with Women's Aid, a charity organization, and has been involved in reality shows like "Britain's Missing Top Model," serving as a guest judge on "Germany's Next Top Model" and shooting the event. He has also collaborated with Lianna Fowler, the winner of "Germany's Next Top Model" cycle 2.

Throughout his career, Rankin has made significant contributions to the world of fashion and portrait photography, capturing the essence of celebrities, creating visually stunning campaigns for major brands, and using his platform to shed light on important social issues.

John Rankin Waddell, known as Rankin, has a distinct vision that sets him apart in the world of photography. His artistic approach and creative philosophy shape his work and contribute to his unique style. While specific details of his vision may vary across projects, some key aspects of Rankin's vision include:

• Celebrating individuality: Rankin strives to capture the essence of his subjects and celebrate their individuality. Whether photographing celebrities, models, or everyday people, he aims to bring out their unique qualities and portray them authentically.
• Breaking boundaries: Rankin is known for pushing boundaries and challenging traditional norms in photography. He embraces experimentation, unconventional compositions, and innovative techniques to create visually striking and thought-provoking images.
• Emphasizing beauty in all forms: Rankin believes in challenging societal standards of beauty and showcasing diverse forms of beauty. His work often celebrates different body types, ethnicities, genders, and expressions, aiming to redefine conventional notions of attractiveness.
• Capturing emotion and storytelling: Rankin's photographs often evoke powerful emotions and tell stories. He aims to go beyond capturing a mere likeness of his subjects and instead seeks to convey their emotions, experiences, and narratives through his imagery.
• Collaborative approach: Rankin values collaboration and believes in working closely with his subjects and creative teams. He fosters a collaborative environment where ideas can be freely exchanged, allowing for the co-creation of powerful visual narratives.
• Innovation and versatility: Rankin is known for his versatility and willingness to explore different genres and mediums. He has successfully ventured into fashion, portraiture, documentary, music videos, and more. He constantly seeks new ways to push the boundaries of his craft and stay at the forefront of artistic innovation.