Couples

Published by Te Neues Publishing Company, 1998, 8.4"x6.1"x1.4"; ISBN 3-8238-0367-0

introduction to Couples by Ingrid Sichy:

People photographed by Ellen Von Unwerth sometimes say how taken aback they are that the experience is to easy and relaxed. That's just one of the ways Ellen Von Unwerth is full of surprises. By now her fashion pictures as well as her images of movie stars and pop stars are so well-known that some of her subjects come to her shoots expecting them to be like other occasions when they've been shot by a star photographer. They expect those studio setups with lots of assistants running around checking light meters and lugging tons of fancy equipment. Instead they have a Von Unwerth experience--a photo session that's playful, usually in some fun place. Before each shoot, Von Unwerth puts plenty of thought into what she wants to do with it, but sometimes--because it's done with such ease and with such little nothing-seeming piece of machinery--it's difficult both for the subject and those around Von Unwerth to know she's even taken a picture. Compared to many shoots, their buildups, their tensions, it's like nothing is happening. Ellen Von Unwerth's seeming casualness shouldn't fool anyone. And if one thinks her ease with photography meanes she is generally casual about her work, they're in for another surprise: she's anything but. Von Unwerth knows what kind of atmosphere it takes to allow the sorts of moments she's interested in capturing. Like any true artist, she is possessed by photography; what she isn't is inflated or pretentious about it. This lack of pretense is the key to why her photography feels as human and as warm as it does. She doesn't try to be politically correct, or to be anything but true to herself and her vision. She shoots subjects that resonate for her, thereby creating pictures that resonate for us.

In fact, even though Von Unwerth seems to break from the tradition of serious photography because she has such fun doing it, it's b ecause she has such fun doing it that she actually fits squarely into it. She is her own chapter of the story of women photographers, a group who were for so long invisible, but went out into the world to record it, and found people, places, and feelings they wanted to capture.

Often, though not always, Von Unwerth's work has been commissioned. Recently, however, I was with her on a night when she was shooting for herself. What I witnessed that evening is indicative of how Von Unwerth works and of her entire approach to photography, whether it's for a fashion magazine, a travel magazine, a pop culture magazine, or her own amusement. On this particular occasion Von Unwerth had invited a bunch of friends to New York City's Kit Kat Klub, a theater that is home to the latest production of Cabaret--and that on Saturday nights is host to an event that began soon after the show turned into a smash success. The party takes place in the theater after the show's final curtain, and Von Unwerth had been to it, loved it, and wanted to share the experience with her friends.

A few of us got there before she arrived. We seated ourselves at a table, and soon our hostess--Von Unwerth--arrived, with her black fishnet stockings and high, high heels, looking like she had just walked off the set of Cabaret herself. When everyone was seated and having a grand old time, Von Unwerth would occasionally pop up with her camera, focus the lens, take a picture, laugh, sit down, and get on with the party. This is someone who really loves taking pictures and who really loves life. This is someone who doesn't act like she's above or below the people she photographs. This is a photographer who doesn't use the camera for judgement, but for connection. It makes sense that she would create a book about couples--because they're all about connection--and that it wouldn't always be obvious connections. This book is classic Von Unwerth in that it includes all kinds of connections between all kinds of couples, some of them surprises.

One of the ultimate couplings I've ever seen is Von Unwerth and the camera.

(transcribed from book by WM)

images presented in book order


cover: Bordello, NY 1996
from eBay auction by downtownbooks-milw


from Amazon.com


Two Kittens, LA 1995 (Drew Barrymore)
from eBay auction by downtownbooks-milw


Aaah, NY, 1996
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


Peek-a-Boo, London, 1997
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


The Swing, Scotland, 1999 (Lonneke Engel)
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


Frosty the Snowman, NY 1997
from eBay auction by downtownbooks-milw


Mr. & Mrs. Leech, Greece 1995
scan by WM


Bubbly, Paris 1992
scan by WM


The Chase, London, 1997
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art Partner


Beach Beauties, Jamaica 1994 (left) | Harlem 1994 (right)
from http://www.artazart.com/


Andrea & Shirley, Brazil, 1996
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


Barbie & Ken, NY 1994
scan by WM


Jean Colonna & Michel Montagne, Paris 1996
scan by WM


The Lick, NY, 1997 (Raina Hamner)
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art Partner


Camilla's Wedding, England, 1996
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


Popcorn (Lonneke Engel)
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


Not 1, Not 2, But 3, New Jersey 1994
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


Pow, NY 1997 (Adriana Lima)
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


Vampires I, NY 1996
scan by WM


Vampires II, NY 1997
scan by WM


Extras, Prague 1994
scan by WM


Hitchhiking, Paris 1995
scan by WM


A Henna Tattoo, Marrakech, 1998
scan by WM


Just Checking, Long Island 1997 (Adriana Lima & Shirley Mallmann)
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


Cheeky, Long Island 1996
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


Salsa Whenver, Cuba 1995
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce

(image missing -- Father & Son, Jodhpur 1997)

(image missing -- Malecon, Havanna 1995)

(image missing -- Plaza Athéneé, Paris 1992)


Breathless, Paris, 1992 (Christy Turlington)
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce
(larger version is available here & here)


In the Bush, England, 1996
from Schirmer-Mosel

(image missing -- Backstage, NY 1995)

(image missing -- Suzie Wong, Paris 1989)

(image missing -- Dressing Room, NY 1995)


Stacey & Devon, NY 1998 (Devon Aoki)
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


Place Concorde, Paris, 1989
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


Love, Paris 1995
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


Stick em Up, NY, 1995
from Schirmer-Mosel


Dog Walkers, Cannes 1990 (Linda Evangelista & Christy Turlington)
from http://www.bellazon.com/
(larger version is available here & here)


Parade, NY, 1993 (Eva Herzigova)
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce

(image missing -- Afro Puff, NY 1994)

(image missing -- Quick Silver, Paris 1992)


Daryl Hannah
from http://www.wildinsecret.com/

(image missing -- Donkey Love, Mexico 1998)


UFO, NY 1996
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


Gods of Delos, Greece, 1995
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


First Love, Connecticut, 1996
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce

(image missing -- Losing Innocence, NY 1995)


Models Suck, NY, 1996 (Bijou Phillips)
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


Jaisalmer, 1997
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


Hotel 17, NY 1995
from http://www.artazart.com/


Witchy Poo, NY 1995
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce

(image missing -- Fog, Cuba 1995)


Bjork, Paris 1994
from http://www.artazart.com/


C'mon Fly, NY, 1997
from Schirmer-Mosel
(Kristen McMenamy & Myka Dunkle)

(image missing -- Jamiroquai, London 1996)


John & Kate, Paris 1996 (John Galliono & Kate Moss)
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


Again?, NY 1997
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art Partner


Truth or Dare, LA 1997
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


What's Up Pussycat?, NY 1993 (Eva Herzigova)
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce

(image missing -- Secret Garden, Miami 1997)

(image missing -- Kidnapping, Italy 1993)

(image missing -- Take Off, NY 1994)

(image missing -- Courtney Love & Pervert, LA 1996)


Liv Tyler, NY 1995
from http://www.artazart.com/

(image missing -- Bedtime, NY 1995)


Nurses, NY 1997
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce

(image missing -- Sailors, NY 1997)


La Croisette, Cannes 1990
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


Haute Couture, Paris 1991 (Karen Mulder)
from http://www.yesyt.com/


Camilla & Naomi, NY 1995 (Naomi Campbell)
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce

(image missing -- Ariel's Wedding, Paris 1990)


Lauren Bacall & Marcello Mastroianni, Paris, 1995
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


Pom Pom Girl (Claudia Schiffer)
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce

(image missing -- Honeymoon, Greece 1995)

(image missing -- First Lesson, NY 1996)

(image missing -- Hot Dog, Long Island 1996)


After Hours, NY 1996
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce

(image missing -- Jodhpur, 1997)

(image missing -- Sunny Afternoon, Paris 1989)

(image missing -- Shelter, Jamaica 1994)


Summertime, Connecticut 1996
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


At Home, NY 1996
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


Camping, Connecticut 1996
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


Myka & Dorota, NY 1998
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce

(image missing -- Socks, Cuba 1995)


Double Trouble, NY 1993
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


I Do It My Way, NY 1995
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce

(image missing -- Hamilton Gallery, London 1994)


Spank Me, NY 1996
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce
(larger version is available here)


Sisters, NY 1996 (Raina Hamner)
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce

(image missing -- The Charmer, NY 1994)

(image missing -- The Rally, Long Island 1996)


Gypsies, Arles 1996
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


Spinach, Paris, 1996 (Trish Goff & Carolyn Murphy)
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


Myka & Schmickl, NY 1998.
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


Wet Kiss, Miami 1995
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art Partner


Christmas Morning, Long Island 1995
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce

(image missing -- Alek & Edward, NY 1997)


Eartha Kitt & Friend, NY 1996
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce

(image missing -- Pyjama Party, NY 1995)


Tipsy, Long Island 1995
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


Marie Luisa & Jenny (Shimizu), New York, 1996
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce
(larger version is available here)


Hopscotch, Paris 1997 (Myka Dunkle)
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce
(larger version is available here)

(image missing -- Sugar Daddy, NY 1993)


Watersports, NY 1995 (Estella Warren & Valentina)
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


Caught, LA 1996 (Sharon Stone)
from http://www.thefashionspot.com/
(larger version is available here & here)


Darix Togni, Paris 1991 (Claudia Schiffer)
from eBay auction by downtownbooks-milw

(image missing -- Mario & Glan, NY 1996)

(image missing -- Gold Diggers, Harbor Island 1996)


Eva & Friend, France 1995 (Eva Herzigova)
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce
(larger version is available here)


Be My Baby, Scotland 1996 (Lonneke Engel)
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce

(image missing -- Flappers, Paris 1993)


Rebecca and Melissa in Paradise, Jamaica 1994
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


Chilling, NY 1997
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


Mambo, NY 1994
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce

(image missing -- San Miguel de Allende, Mexico 1998)

(image missing -- The Hidden Kiss, Cannes 1989)

(image missing -- Gypsy Rose, Arles 1996)


Naked City, Miami 1996
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce

(image missing -- Picnic, Long Island 1996)

(image missing -- Pigtails, Jamaica 1994)


Monica Bellucci, NY 1995
from http://www.bellazon.com/
(larger version is available here & here)

(image missing -- The Birthday, NY 1997)


Lovers, NY, 1995
(Marie Luisa & Jenny Shimizu)
(larger version is available here)

(image missing -- Curaçao, Miami 1992)


The Hostess, NY 1997 (Kate Moss)
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce

(image missing -- X-Rated, Nice 1991)

(image missing -- Cheese, NY 1995)


Bitter Rice, Italy, 1993
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce

(image missing -- Blow Up, Miami 1996)

(image missing -- Nikki & Barris, NY 1996)

(image missing -- Fans, Paris 1997)

(image missing -- Switzerland, 1995)

(image missing -- Cuba, 1996)


Techno, London 1997
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce

(image missing -- 26th Street, NY 1995)


90s girl, NY 1996 (Bijou Phillips)
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


Universoul Circus, Harlem 1997
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce

(image missing -- Susan Bartsch's Party, NY 1996)


Film Noir, Paris 1996
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down, Paris 1994
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce
(larger version is available here)

(image missing -- Put Them Up In The Air, LA 1992)

(image missing -- Voulez vous...?, NY 1994)


Copacabana Palace, Rio, 1995
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce
(larger version is available here)

(image missing -- Hollywood, 1991)


Bath Towel, NY 1995 (Estella Warren)
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce
(larger version is available here)

(image missing -- Dennis Rodman & Friend, NY 1996)

(image missing -- Are You Ticklish?, NY 1994)


Galliono, Paris 1993 (Shalom Harlow)
from http://www.bellazon.com/
(larger version is available here)


Campers, Cannes 1990 (Christy Turlington)
from http://www.bellazon.com/
(larger version is available here)


The Match, Cuba 1995
from http://www.artazart.com/

(image missing -- Two, Three, Four, Paris 1989)

(image missing -- The Prom, New Jersey, 1994)

(image missing -- Voodoo, New Orleans, 1998)

(image missing -- The Stoop, Gallipoli, 1992)


Brazilians, NY 1997 (Adriana Lima & Elizabeth)
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce

(image missing -- Water Mocassin, Paris 1996)


Quack, Bretagne 1995
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce

(image missing -- 5th Avenue, NY 1995)

(image missing -- Glam Rock, NY 1994)

(image missing -- Rebecca, Crete 1997)


Uplifting, Nice 1994
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


X-tasy, NY 1998
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


Raina's Room, NY 1996 (Raina Hamner)
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


Carnival in Rio, Brazil 1996
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce

(image missing -- The Mall, Paris 1996)

(image missing -- Trinidad, 1992)

(image missing -- Sweet Corn, Mexico 1998)


Demi & Daughter, NY 1996 (Demi Moore)
from http://www.thefashionspot.com/
(larger version is available here & here)

(image missing -- Sand Men, Jamaica 1996)

(image missing -- The Vault, NY 1995)

(image missing -- Père la Chaise, Paris 1989)


Le Bal, Italy, 1993
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce

(image missing -- Johnny, NY 1995)


Bijou & Myka, NY 1997 (Bijou Phillips & Myka Dunkle)
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce

(image missing -- I Like It Like That, NY 1998)

(image missing -- Honor & Lulu, England 1996)

(image missing -- Cadillac, LA 1996)

(image missing -- The Catch, Jamaica 1994)


Catherine Deneuve, Paris, 1996
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce

(image missing -- Sand Dunes, Paris 1994)

(image missing -- Halloween, NY 1995)

(image missing -- Playboy Bunnies, NY 1995)


Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, NY 1998
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce

(image missing -- On Fire, Bourgogne 1992)

(image missing -- Champs Elyseé, Paris 1992)

(image missing -- Airport, NY 1994)


Devil Dogs, NY 1996 (Brandi)
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


En Route, Miami 1995
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


Cha Cha Cha, Long Island 1998
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


Gelato, London 1996
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce


The Cigarette, Miami 1995
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce

(image missing -- Staircase to Heaven, Paris 1994)


Staircase to Heaven, Paris 1994 (Nina Brosh)
from 100 cigarettes


My Angels, Paris 1990
from the Ellen Von Unwerth portfolio at Art+Commerce

text from http://www.photoeye.com/

Often compared to Helmut Newton, Von Unwerth's photographs are equally spontaneous, racy, and sophisticated. As the name implies, Couples is an exploration of pairs--but in the world of Ellen Von Unwerth, they are not always what you would expect.

text from http://www.wildinsecret.com/

what does spontaneity look like? model-turned-photographer ellen Von unwerth, best known for her innovative work for guess?, may have answered the question definitively with this deluxe volume of impressionistic portraits. if so, the answer is "sexy."

Von unwerth's snaps look like impossible examples of an infinitely fine pointilism, their graininess communicating a layer of fluidity normally unseen in still photography. "couples" is infused with this sense of motion, adoring the spontaneous response.