Photographer
Robert Whitman
The photographer who shot Prince before the world knew his name — and who has spent a lifetime since finding the common humanity in everyone he points a camera at.
Many people first pick up a camera to record their passions, whatever they may be. But sooner or later, the best of them find that photography itself is their real passion. That's true of Robert Whitman. Along the way, he found not just a pastime, but a way of life.
As a free spirit traveling the world after college, Robert found that with his camera he had entrée to people and places he never would have encountered. He's been on a lifelong journey of discovery ever since, with stops in Brazil, Cuba, Punta del Este, the Alps, Russia, Myanmar and Mexico, just to name a few.
Photographing people from all over — young and old, rich or poor — Robert has the ability to reveal the common humanity that unites us all. And he's had a lot of fun along the way. It's been a great trip.
The archive · 01
Iconic Collections
The bodies of work Robert is best known for — portraiture, culture and the moments in between.
Prince Pre Fame
The first professional shoot of a 19-year-old Prince Rogers Nelson, in and around Minneapolis. Published as a limited-edition hardback in 2017 to international press.
Canadian Club
Campaign work built on reclaimed mid-century advertising language.
VOTE
Dancers spelling the word at the Unisphere — civic image-making as choreography.
Mikhail Baryshnikov
Portraits of the dancer, extended in the BARYSHNIKOV BY ME project.
Polaroids
Instant film across four decades of shoots and travel.
Cuba Raw
Havana and beyond, unvarnished.
Aaliyah x KITH x DSA
Archive imagery in collaboration with KITH.
Cigarette / Legs
A study in gesture and fragment.
The One Percent
Access and affluence, observed.
Wanderlust
The impulse that started it all.
Lovers
Intimacy, on and off the record.
Dance Community
An ongoing document of dancers at work.
The archive · 02
New York
The city as a continuing subject.
The archive · 03
Travel Log
Entrée to people and places, passport by passport.
The archive · 04
Projects
Books, exhibitions, campaigns and films.