Delving into the career and success of Slim Aarons, the photographer of “attractive people doing attractive things in attractive places”.
As a society, we’re obsessed with voyeurism. It’s why we read magazines, become fascinated with certain people online and love reality TV shows (no matter how questionable these are). It’s also why photography, and earlier in history paintings, were such a great way of getting snippets of information about the rich and famous. And nobody portrayed the rich quite like Slim Aaron.
Slim Aarons. The name conjures images of tanned limbs sprawled by turquoise pools, celebrities laughing in designer sunglasses, and a world dripping with sunshine and champagne. But before he became the chronicler of the jet set, Slim Aarons was better known as George Allen Aarons, and found not in the mediterranean yatches, but in the army barracks, with a camera in his hand.
Aarons enlisted at 18, and it was there that his photographic talents were first recognised. He honed his skills capturing the realities of military life, a world far removed from the glamorous scenes he’d later become famous for, but his wartime experience planted the seeds for his future success. His service not only provided him with a platform to develop his photography, but it also instilled in him a desire to escape the harsh realities he witnessed.
After the war, Aarons and a friend set their sights on the West Coast, camera and dreams in tow. It was there, far from the battlefields, that his career took a dramatic turn, from photographing horrors to capturing escapism (and exclusivity) at its finest. But Aarons’ talent wasn’t the only thing that quickly gained attention. His success also hinged on his personality. Described as charming, witty, and someone who could easily connect with people, Aarons built relationships with models, fashion editors, and possibly even early Hollywood figures. These connections became the key that unlocked the doors to wealthier social circles.
With each portrait, Aarons honed his signature style: vibrant colors, idyllic settings, and capturing the carefree lives of the rich and famous. This focus on portraying a luxurious lifestyle resonated with magazines like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, which craved content that showcased an aspirational world. And people loved it. As his photos gained recognition, Aarons became more sought-after, and his ability to capture people looking effortlessly glamorous in stunning locations became his trademark.
Aarons wasn’t just documenting wealth; he was creating a visual narrative of a carefree, sun-drenched paradise inhabited by beautiful people. And his photos felt intimate, since he didn’t remain an outsider peering in. Aarons embraced the California lifestyle, becoming a fixture at pool parties and social gatherings, seamlessly integrating himself into the world he photographed.
Slim Aarons’ most famous photograph is widely considered to be “The Kings of Hollywood (1957)”. This iconic image features four legendary Hollywood actors – Clark Gable, Van Heflin, Gary Cooper, and Jimmy Stewart – in a way which was unusual for such household names to be photographed in the time. Casual and showcasing intimate camaraderie, the photographed reminded its viewers that celebrities are more than what the spotlight has made them famous for.
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