From two friends album by photographer  Ronald James

For anyone who appreciates photography, they should learn to appreciate everything that goes into the picture. It isn’t just a point and click miracle; all renowned photographers work hard for their shots and perhaps aren’t appreciated as much as they should be.

Lighting, focus and placement can be fluked by any half talented individual; it takes a true master and craftsman to come up with the perfect shot.

Andrew G. Hobbs, Ronald James, Timothy Hogan; whilst all specialising in different types and concepts of photography, manage to deliver shot after shot and make it look like a five minute task.

 F, D and F Portraits by photographer Ronald James

When it comes to fashion photography though, it’s easy to overlook the work of the models. They certainly don’t have the easy job people consider them to have. It takes a talented individual to take the minimal direction they are given and bring a photographer or director’s vision to life.

Smiling, with a sultry pose just doesn’t cut it anymore but there are a few people who make fashion look effortless and not in a brightly lit fashion studio.

 Arne Glimcher by photographer Ronald James

Carlos De Souza by photographer Ronald James 

 From the album Essence by photographer Ronald James

Male fashion icons worth following

Tom Ford

 Fashion designer Tom Ford

Tom is an American fashion designer and film director, and even with this full resume manages to ooze sophistication and be photogenic in casual suits and elegant attire. He is loved by Gucci and even spent time working at Gucci and YSL for as Creative Director.

 Throughout his career he has received numerous fashion award nominations and including a style icon award in 1999 for Elle style awards UK. In 2000, he won the UK GQ International man of the year award with GQ referring to him as ‘Immaculately turned out and impossibly cool’. This man certainly knows how to dress, and with him now directing films on the big screen, maybe he can mentor a few more fashion worthy icons.

Zac Posen

Fashion designer Zac Posen

Zac is another fashion designer from America but whilst extremely well connected, his style is all his own. He was accepted over here in the UK when he was 18, into a Women’s wear degree program, and was not deterred by how competitive the London fashion industry was.

In 2000 he made a dress for Naomi Campbell and it was passed from model to actress several times it was so coveted. Which lead to big things for him; including being represented for free from publicist Ed Filipowski.

Even whilst achieving big things in the fashion industry, he still has time to light up the red carpet with his own fashion sense and will no doubt produce and drive fashion trends in the coming years.

 Jonathon Rhys Meyers

Fashion designer, Actor and Model Jonathon Rhys Meyers 

It’s not just the fashion designers who are making waves being fashion icons; actors and models get in on the act too. Jonathon is an Irish model and actor; best known for films such as Mission Impossible III and Velvet Goldmine whilst earning a Golden Globe for Best Actor playing Elvis Presley. He might be the big star on the red carpet, but his sense of style is fashionable and he also seems to be a fan of the casual suit look.

Male fashion icons don’t always have to be models or catwalk favourites, there are so many individuals who pull off a certain style or fashion which influences others and they don’t even realise it. Make your style your own and take your inspiration from others around you. But always make sure you wear a smile in your eyes; it’s that extra sparkle that can’t be replicated.

 Photographer Ronald James

Photos by: Ronald James

Ronald James is a fashion photographer from New York City, shooting for some big agencies and fashion magazines. Visit Ronald James official site here