Robert Farber

Robert Farber (b. 1948) is an American photographer celebrated for his painterly and impressionistic style, particularly in his depictions of the female form. While best known for his fine art nudes, Farber has built a wide-ranging body of work that includes landscapes, still lifes, fashion, and commercial photography. His compositions, often suffused with soft light and evocative textures, seek to capture a sense of mood and intimacy. As Farber explains, his goal is “to evoke a feeling of romance—that the viewer wants to be there, be a part of it, get lost in it, whether it is a still life or landscape.”

Farber began exhibiting his work in the early 1970s in New York City, where he was born and raised. At a time when photography was still struggling for full recognition as a fine art, Farber faced resistance but continued to pursue his vision. A turning point came when he was discovered at an Upper East Side art show, leading to simultaneous opportunities in fine art publishing and fashion photography. His early success included incorporating the nude into advertising campaigns—an innovative move that helped redefine how the female form could be portrayed in both commercial and artistic contexts.

In addition to his nudes and fashion work, Farber has brought his romantic visual language to projects such as the Americana and New York series. These images reflect his interest in mood and memory, offering viewers a new perspective on familiar American scenes. His ability to balance nostalgia, grit, and elegance has made his photographs enduringly popular across genres.

Farber has received numerous accolades, including the Photographer of the Year award from the Photographic Manufacturers Association and the ASP International Award from the Professional Photographers of America. He has lectured widely at institutions including the Smithsonian, the George Eastman House, and various universities and professional organizations across the United States, Europe, Japan, and Australia. One of his most notable publications, By the Sea, was produced with the support of Jackie Kennedy Onassis during her time at Doubleday, launching a series of acclaimed photography books. In 2013, Canon sponsored a solo exhibition of his work at Art Miami, and a documentary on his life and career was produced for PBS, further cementing his legacy as a major figure in contemporary photography.