Lea Colombo, A Self-Taught Photographer

Since relocating to her dream city of Paris aged 19, 22 year old South African native Lea Colombo has captured the atmosphere and essence of the fashion frontline, from London to New York, Paris, and Milan.

The self-taught photographer whose work “represents a vast collection of ideas, feelings and scenarios,” has brought us key moments and details from backstage and the runway since her debut in 2012. 

As the resident fashion week photographer for Dazed & Confused, Colombo is the artist behind the authentic shots of models in the midst of backstage chaos. Famous images include the Jacquemus S/S14 show which caught models on a smoke break outside, whilst other shows have included Maison Martin Margiela, Jean Paul Gaultier, Alexander Wang, Jeremy Scott, Dior Homme, Prada, Lanvin and Balmain. 

Her distinctive edgy cinematic photographs, which are saturated with colour, shot only using natural light, have earned her the recognition as one of the greatest young photographers in the fashion world, and ranked her at number 46 on the dazed 100 shortlist for redefining style and youth culture in 2015.

Inspired by “life itself, people, everyday surroundings and the joys of traveling,” Colombo’s photography stretches from landscapes, intimate portraits of models, skateboarders in Moscow, to haute couture fashion, often juxtaposing between chaos and stillness.

Based on her stunning backstage photography, the artist is highly in demand for editorial work. She has collaborated with the likes of POP Magazine, Elle UK, TANK Magazine, V Magazine, V Man and Interview Magazine, and says she is inspired by 90s fashion photographers Mario Sorrenti, Craig McDean, Nick Knight, and David Sims.