Arthur Elgort was born in 1940 in New York City. As a teenager, he attended the prestigious Stuyvesant High School and subsequently studied painting at Hunter College. There, he soon realized that he wanted to express himself in a more varied artistic manner, leading him to explore photography. This exploration culminated in the discovery of his talent and passion for the artistic medium, and shortly thereafter, in 1971, Arthur Elgort made his debut as a photographer for Mademoiselle magazine and subsequently worked worldwide for Vogue.

At the beginning of the 1970s, Arthur Elgort brought a breath of fresh air into the previously rigid studio world of fashion shoots. Inspired by the Impressionists, the former painting student encouraged models to act freely and created a snapshot aesthetic with them outdoors in the »real world«, beyond the prevailing norms of the time. This approach earned him a lasting place in the world of fashion photography and has significantly influenced the field throughout his now 50-year career.

His works are part of major international collections and are exhibited in museums worldwide.