Arthur Elgort: Reverie

The Fahey/Klein Gallery is honored to present Reverie, photographs by Arthur Elgort. To celebrate his long career, this exhibition showcases Elgort’s spontaneous energy through expertly crafted photographs that have the unforced look of a personal snapshot.

Born in New York City in 1940, Elgort discovered his passion for photography after initially studying painting at Hunter College. Finding the solitary nature of painting unfulfilling, he turned to photography and soon found his calling. His early work capturing ballet dancers in motion laid the foundation for his signature aesthetic: natural, unposed, and full of life. In 1971, his breakthrough came when British Vogue published one of his images, launching a career that would redefine the industry.

At a time when fashion photography was dominated by rigid, studio-bound compositions, Elgort introduced a fresh, relaxed perspective. He encouraged models to move freely, embraced natural light, and brought his subjects into real-world settings—whether bustling city streets, sunlit gardens, or windswept beaches. His work captured fashion as it was meant to be worn: in motion, alive, and full of energy.

“Taking pictures is what I love and I like my subjects to be varied, a little bit of everything – fashion, jazz, ballet, my kids, landscapes, and even ‘street’ photography. I never want my work to be stuck in one category. Fashion might be what sells, but a girl on a subway could be fashion, a jazz musician in a club could be fashion, and a ballerina at the barre could be too. I’ve always like to integrate all of my interests into my photos and I think that’s reflected in this exhibit of nearly 50 years of my work.”

– Arthur Elgort

Over the past five decades, Arthur Elgort has not only become one of the most celebrated and imitated photographers in the world, but he has also redefined what fashion photography could be. From his iconic Vogue covers to his influential luxury-brand campaigns, his images remain as fresh and relevant today as ever. Reverie offers a rare opportunity to experience the breadth of his vision—a legacy that continues to inspire and shape the future of photography.