Stewart O'Shields Photographer

 

      Growing up in Asheville, NC, Stewart O'Shields started taking photos around the age of 12. During his high school years he was a yearbook photographer and loved working in the darkroom. He fashioned his own darkroom at home on his mother's washing machine. Stewart's love of music photography was born when he visited his friends' band practices. Realizing he was not musically inclined, the camera became his instrument. His fashion photography got its beginnings taking pictures at fashion shows at the local mall and of classmates who dreamt of becoming models.

      Immediately after high school, Stewart enrolled in the photography program at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. During his time at FIT, he apprenticed with several celebrated Fashion photographers. Upon graduation, TIffany & Co. hired Stewart as a staff photographer ( his first and only "real" full-time job to date.) Increasingly bored with a routine lifestyle, he decided to become a free-lance photographer's assistant in Fashion and Advertising. After several years of assisting, Stewart struck out on his own as a Fashion photographer, shooting ad campaigns and catalogs. Diane Von Furstenberg approached Stewart to collaborate on a 3-book project photographing luxurious interiors around the world. The book series, entitled Beds, The Bath, and The Table, were published by Random House and Bantam. Stewart has also photographed over 70 titles with Lark Books/Sterling Publishing.

      Clients have included: AEP, Aloft Hotels, American Express, Carnegie Hall, Charles Schwab, Diane Von Furstenberg, HGTV, L'Oreal, Macy's, Mario Valentino, Meritor, Moog Music, Saks Fifth Avenue, VegNews, and Waldorf-Astoria.

      Stewart is currently working on a book project with guitarist Warren Haynes to benefit Habitat for Humanity.

 

      Stewart O'Shields Studio is now based in his hometown of Asheville, NC.