Francesco Scavullo (January 16, 1921 – January 6, 2004) was an American fashion photographer. He was best known for his work on the covers of Cosmopolitan from 1965 to 1995 and his celebrity portraits. Scavullo shot every cover of Cosmopolitan magazine for 33 years in addition to covers of Vogue, Rolling Stone and Town and Country, making him the most celebrated fashion photographer, with over 600 covers during his 50 year span.
Scavullo's photographs have also been used on the covers of Seventeen, Harper's Bazaar, Interview, Newsweek, and Rolling Stone. He published several books, including Scavullo on Beauty (1976), Francesco Scavullo 1948-1984 (1984), and Scavullo Nudes (2000).
Biography
Scavullo was born on January 16, 1921, in the New York City borough of Staten Island. He was one of five children of Angelo and Margaret Scavullo.
He used his father's camera to photograph his sisters, who would model for him. His father wasn't impressed by his passion for photography, particularly when he blew off attending Cornell University to study hotel administration in order to pursue what he enjoyed.
In 1945, Scavullo was hired by Vogue to assist photographer Horst P. Horst, which launched his photography career. After shooting his first magazine cover for Seventeen in 1948, he was offered a lucrative contract by the publication. Eventually, Scavullo soon opened his own studio in Manhattan.
Scavullo was married to model Carol McCallson from 1952 to 1955.
In 1969, Scavullo photographed rock singer Janis Joplin, which he declared one of his favorite photo sessions. One of his more controversial works included a Cosmopolitan centerfold of a nude Burt Reynolds in 1972.
Scavullo was widely credited for helping to launch the careers of supermodels like Gia Carangi and Iman in the 1970s.
Scavullo was diagnosed as manic-depressive in 1981.
Scavullo photographed Duran Duran in the 1980s, with his work featured on various releases including the cover of "The Wild Boys" single. He appeared in the band's tour documentary Sing Blue Silver.
Scavullo died on January 6, 2004 of heart failure at the age of 82 while on his way to a New York photo shoot with a then up-and-coming CNN news anchor, Anderson Cooper. Scavullo was survived by his partner and collaborator Sean Byrnes.
Publications
- Scavullo on Beauty. Edited by Sean Byrnes. New York: Random House, 1976.
- Scavullo on Men. With Sean Byrnes and Bob Colacello. New York: Random House, 1977.
- Scavullo Women. With Sean Byrnes. New York: Harper and Row, 1982.
- Scavullo: Francesco Scavullo Photographs 1948–1984. Edited by Sean Byrnes. New York: Harper and Row, 1984.
- Scavullo: Photographs 50 Years. Introduction by Enid Nemy. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1997.
- Scavullo Nudes. Introduction by David Leddick. Edited by Ruth A. Peltason and Judith Hudson. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 2000.
- Scavullo: Nudes. München: Knesebeck, 2000.
- Scavullo: Les Nus. Paris: La Martinière, 2000.