_Photographer David Yarrow’s life through a lens

To celebrate the launch of wildlife photographer David Yarrow’s new exhibition Pride Rock, Knight Frank and Gentleman’s Journal sit down with the artist to discuss the fascinating stories behind his most iconic photographs. He provides worldly advice for aspiring photographers and explains why one of his firm's mottos is "Tom Ford, Tom Ford, Tom Ford".

October 17, 2019

Photography has become the most relevant art form of our generation. But don’t just take our word for it, or the words of every millennial carrying a smartphone and a selfie stick. These are the words of David Yarrow, renowned wildlife photographer and guest on this very special episode of the Gentleman’s Journal podcast – hosted by Editor Joseph Bullmore.

If you’re not familiar with the man himself, you’ll almost certainly be familiar with his work. The 53-year-old Glaswegian is perhaps best known for his striking black-and-white shots of the world’s most endangered animals, taken in some of the most remote corners of the globe. He’s gotten closer to polar bears, tigers and rampaging elephants than any of us would ever dare, and shares his some of his (surprisingly sugary sweet) methods in this episode – albeit with the all-important caveat of “Don’t try this at home.”

You might even be familiar with the iconic image he took of Diego Maradona, holding the World Cup trophy aloft at Mexico ‘86 (“I’ve always had a soft spot for Argentinians since then.”) Yarrow was a mere 20 years old at the time, working as a photographer for The Times.

“My kind of photography is about keeping things simple,” Yarrow explains. “That’s why 99% of the time I print in black and white. When photographing people, if you print in colour, you’ll see their clothes. If you print in black and white, you’ll see their soul. It sounds a little bit corny but it’s true. Andy Warhol said his favourite colour is black and his other one is white and who am I to disagree with him?”

Listen to the episode to hear the fascinating stories behind Yarrow’s most iconic photographs, his worldly advice for aspiring photographers and why one of his firm’s mottos is “Tom Ford, Tom Ford, Tom Ford.” But perhaps most of all, listen to the podcast to be inspired by a man who, at a difficult time in his life, dared to follow his passion and start all over again; a man who truly understands what it means to capture the moment.