Howard Schatz
Howard Schatz is an American photographer.
Life and work
The photographs of Howard Schatz are exhibited in museums and photography galleries internationally and are included in innumerable private collections. He has received international acclaim for his work which has been published in twenty-two monographs.
KINK, Schatz 22nd monograph, will be published in April 2018. The Folsom Street Fair is held every year in San Francisco on the last Sunday in September, celebrating the world of kink and bondage, discipline and sadomasochism (BDSM). For over a quarter century Schatz has made a serious photographic exploration of the people and personalities who visit the fair.
May 2015 marked the publication of a monumental 2-volume 25-year retrospective of the work of Howard Schatz: Schatz Images: 25 Years.
Schatz's 20th book, Caught in the Act: Actors Acting was published in October, 2013. In it he gives us a unique window into the world of stage and screen as he explores the magical transformation that happens when an actor takes hold of words on a page and becomes another person. Schatz directed and photographed 85 actors to explore an enormous range of scenarios in one-on-one improvisation, capturing the dynamic energy of the actors in full creative flight. The book includes powerful and compelling portraits of each actor along with an extensive interview, focusing on the creative process.
In 2012, his 19th book, AT THE FIGHTS: Inside the World of Professional BOXING was published. Born out of a six-year study and exploration, it is a magnificent collection of fantastic and award-winning photographs and revealing interviews of boxing's current champions and key movers and shakers including promoters, managers, announcers, referees, judges and trainers. At The Fights: Inside the World of Professional Boxing is published by Sports Illustrated Books is Schatz's nineteenth book.
Published in 2011, WITH child, is the result of a 20-year long exploration of the landscape of the human body in the last two weeks of pregnancy. It is his eighteenth book.
In 2007, Bulfinch Press published the third in Schatz's series of explorations of imagery made on, over and underwater. It is a breathtaking feat of underwater photography and a visionary celebration of movement and form. Working with uncommonly graceful and aquatically gifted dancers, models, and performers, photographer Howard Schatz has found joyous inspiration underwater. The images in H2O take advantage of water's unique properties- light, clarity, buoyancy, and reflectivity-to create a delightfully serene and otherworldly aesthetic. At once uncanny, lithe, athletic, and mysterious, the figures in Schatz's photographs transform the pool into studio and stage. Howard Schatz first established a following in the 1990s with two collections of underwater photography, Water Dance and Pool Light. With H2O, Schatz takes the magic of weightlessness and the beauty of dance to new heights. Whether in single portraits or as part of a larger, spectacular ballet, his dancers are as utterly elegant as they are phantasmagorical. They appear before the camera as though borrowed from a dream.
In Character: Actors Acting Schatz's sixteenth book of photographs, was published in April 2006 by Bulfinch Press. Schatz photographed 100 actors of stage, screen and television, directing them in one-on-one improvisation. Botanica (Bulfinch 2005) and Athlete, (HarperCollins, 2002) were Schatz's two other most recently published books of photographs. Schatz's books are known worldwide; other titles include: Nude Body Nude; Body Knots, Passion & Line, Pool Light. Schatz's editorial work has been published in magazines around the world, including Time, Sports Illustrated, Vogue, Vogue Italia, GQ Italia, The New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, Stern, Life, Black/White, American Photo, Photo France, and Photo Italia. His work has been featured on the Today Show, Good Morning America, NPR, Fox Sports Network, the Discovery Channel and widely in Europe.
He has made extraordinary images for such advertising clients as Ralph Lauren RLX, Escada, Sergio Tacchini, Nike, Reebok, Wolford, Etienne Aigner, Sony, Adidas, Finlandia Vodka, MGM Grand Hotel, Virgin Records, and Mercedes-Benz.
Howard Schatz's fine art work is represented in New York by the Staley-Wise Gallery in Manhattan and Lawrence Fine Art in East Hampton, in Denver, by Gallery M, Robert Klein Gallery in Boston and Preiss Fine Art in Vienna, Austria, among others. A full listing of other galleries in the United States and abroad can be found in the Galleries section of the website.
Schatz began his professional life in medicine. He was a world-renowned retina specialist, authoring over 100 peer-reviewed articles and seven text books in the field. He lectured all over the world and was in private practice in San Francisco from 1970-1995. He was a Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of California, San Francisco; he also taught regularly at Stanford University.. He completed his medical degree at The University of Illinois College of Medicine, followed by an internship at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, ophthalmology residency at The University of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, and fellowship in vitreoretinal diseases at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Schatz is married to Beverly Ornstein, the former head of Current Affairs at PBS television station, KQED, in San Francisco; she is currently executive producer for Schatz Ornstein Studio. They live and work in Connecticut and New York.
Publications
As Howard Schatz and Beverly Ornstein
- 1992: Gifted Woman
- 1993: Seeing Red: The Rapture of Redheads
- 1994: Homeless: Portraits of Americans in Hard Times
- 1995: Newborn
- 1995: WaterDance
- 1996: The Princess of the Spring and the Queen of the Sea
- 1996: BodyType
- 1997: Passion & Line
- 1998: Pool Light
- 2000: Bodyknots
- 2000: NudeBodyNude
- 2002: Rare Creatures
- 2002: Athlete
- 2005: Botanica
- 2006: In Character: Actors Acting
- 2007: H2O
- 2011: With Child
- 2012: At The Fights
- 2013: Caught In The Act: Actors Acting
- 2015: Schatz Images: 25 Years
- 2018: Kink
With others
- 1996: Virtuoso. 1996. By Ken Carbone with photographs by Schatz.
Awards
2018
- One EyeLand Awards: Silver Medal, Photography Book of the Year: KINK by Howard Schatz
2015
- International Photography Awards, Photography Book of the Year: Schatz Images: 25 Years (Glitterati, Inc.)
- Graphis Master of Photography
- One Eyeland Awards: Gold Medal-Photography Book of the Year: Schatz Images: 25 Years (Glitterati, Inc.)
2014
- Px3 Prix de la Photographie Paris Silver Medal: Caught in the Act, (Glitterati, Inc.)
- Communication Arts 2014 Photography Annual: Portrait of Alex Katz in his studio.
2013
- American Photography: Best Books of the Year: Caught in the Act (Glitterati, Inc.)
- Graphis 2014 Design Annual: Gold Medal for AT THE FIGHTS: Inside the World of Professional Boxing (Time/Sports Illustrated Books)
- Applied Arts Annual: First Place, Book Design: AT THE FIGHTS: Inside the World of Professional Boxing (Time/Sports Illustrated Books)
- One Eyeland Awards: Gold Medal-Photography Book of the Year: AT THE FIGHTS: Inside the World of Professional Boxing
- New York Book Show: Specialty Trade Book Award: AT THE FIGHTS: Inside the World of Professional Boxing
2012
- Graphis Best in Photography 2012 Gold Award: Double Folds
- Trierenberg Super Circuit: Gold Medal
- Communication Arts 2010 Photography Annual: Portraits of Boxers from AT THE FIGHTS: INSIDE THE WORLD OF PROFESSIONAL BOXING (Time/Sports Illustrated Nov. 2012)
- American Photography 28: WITH child: Pregnancy Studies
- Trierenberg SuperCircuit Gold Medal: Portraiture: Boxing Study 1529 (Sergio Martinez)
2011
- Graphis: 100 Best in Photography of 2011: Platinum Award Winners (4): Nude Study, Beauty/FashionGold Award Winners (6): Advertising, Dance, Portrait, Sports, Fashion/Beauty
- PXIII International Awards, Gold Medal: Fashion: Underwater Study 3180
- PXIII International Awards: Gold Medal: Portraiture: Portraits of Mike Tyson
- PXIII International Awards: Silver Medal: Press: The Prisoner Series
- PXIII International Awards: Silver Medal Portraiture: Wild Faces
2011
- National Press Photographers Association Awards: 1st Place, Portrait and Personality Mike Tyson
- 9th International Festival of the Fashion Photography: Seven Deadly Sins: Sloth
- 9th International Festival of the Fashion Photography: Beauty Studies
- American Photography 27: Pacquiao vs Margarito at Dallas Stadium for Sports Illustrated
- American Photography 27: Brendan Fraser: In Character for Vanity Fair
- Gold Award Graphis 2011 Annual: 100 Best in Photography: Fashion: Seven Deadly Sins, Human Body Studies, Boxing Study, Actor Portraits, New York Times "T", Dancers' Flower, Football Player Body Study
- American Photo: Images of the Year 2010: (Cover) Mike Tyson
2010
- Rivne Photobiennale: Gold Medal, First Place: Personal Work—Triple Folds
- Prix de la Photographie Paris, Photographer of the Year
- Prix de la Photographie Paris: 1st Place Photojournalism-Sports. Portraits of Boxers
- Prix de la Photographie Paris: 1st Place Photojournalism-Performance: In Character for Vanity Fair
- 2010 Trierenberg Super Circuit: Gold Medal
- Communication Arts 2010 Photography Annual: Double Folds: Body Landscapes
- Communication Arts 2010 Photography Annual: Portraits of Boxers
- Photography Masters Cup: Beauty Study 1147
- PDN Magazine: Annual Photography Competition - Editorial Finalist: Vanity Fair Magazine - In Character: Actors Acting
2009
- 2009 Al-Thani Award for Photography: Fight Study 1001
- 2nd International Photography Biennale: Gold Medals: Dance Study #10, Dancers Flower;Silver Medals: Underwater Study 2618, Beauty Study 1147
- Prix de la Photographie, 1st Place: Portraiture, 2nd Place: Performance
- Trierenberg Super Circuit: Grand Prize
- American Photo Images of the Year: Light Study 1054, Pregnancy Study 1104, Honorable Mention
- The Best Photographers in the World 2008: Anthology—ArtPhoto, Chechkoslovakia
- Creative Quarterly 2009 Competition: Award of Merit, Portrait of Fred Armisen as Barack Obama
- 2009 World Press Photography Competition: Sports-Feature Stories: At The Fights-Before and After
- Prix de la Photographie: Numero Aquatica
- Photography Masters Cup: Liquid Light Pregnancy Study, Beauty Study Quartet
2008
- Creative Quarterly: Best Merit Award: Prisoner Project
- Black and White Spider Award: Light Study 1034 & Motion Study 1038
- Austral-Asia ScubaDiver "Through the Lens": 1st Place, Underwater Art, 2nd Place, Underwater Art
- Momentum: Images of Dance: Underwater Study 2607
- International Photography-Lucie Awards: Dancers Flower: First Place-Fine Art
- Prix de la Photographie: Photojournalism-People & Personalities: 1st Place: Whoopi Goldberg: Advertising and Fine Art: 2nd Place:Numero Aquatica
- The 87th Art Directors Club Awards: Certificate of Merit for H2O
- Graphis Design Annual Gold Award: Wand Font Poster
2007
- International Color Awards: Honor of Distinction; Honorable Mention; Nominee in Fashion: Nude Study: LLS #1123
- PIX Digital Imaging Award: Beauty Study 1036
- Communication Arts Photography Annual: Series: Celebrity Portraits by Howard Schatz
- Scuba Diving Magazine: 25 Greatest Diving Photos of All Time: Underwater Study 1335 from Pool Light
- PX3 Prix de la Photographie Paris: Escada Into the Blue, Honorable Mention
- The 2007 Epson Creativity Award: H2O
- American Photography 23: In Character: Actors Acting: Hal Holbrook
- APA National Photography Competition: In Character: Actors Acting, Christopher Lloyd • Portrait
- APA National Photography Competition: The Last Supper • Fashion
- Black and White Spider Awards: The Greatest Black and White Photography Vol 1: Fold Studies 1174 and 1177
2006
- Gold Award: Black and White Magazine Photo Annual: Fold Study #1011
- Communication Arts: Photography Annual: COVER: Trumpet Tree Leaf from Botanica
- Communication Arts: Photography Annual: Series: Folds Studies
- Communication Arts: Photography Annual: Series: Botanica
- AltPick Award: The Last Supper (from H20)
- Applied Arts Photography & Illustration Awards: Botanica
- Graphis Four: Nudes: International Photographic Competition
2005
- Black & White Spider Awards: Fine Art
- Graphis Photo Annual 2005: BodyWorks
- Texas Photographic Society: Cirque Du Soleil
- International Photography Awards: Professional photographer of the year: Special category, Underwater series
- PIX Digital Imaging Awards: Merit Winner, NCAA images
- International Fine Art Photography Exhibition: Folds series #1177
2004
- PDN Digital Imaging Competition: Spider for Epson Printers (Advertising)
- Alternative Pick Awards: 1st Place: Best Photographic Series Folds
- London Photographic Awards: First Place Gold Award: Beauty and Form for Folds
- London Photographic Awards: Fashion Editorial: Attitudes
- American Photography Nineteen: Athlete 'Standing'
- Graphis Photography Annual: Body Works
2003
- Graphis Photography Annual: Athlete
- Communication Arts Photography Annual: Athlete
2002
- Graphis Photography Annual: NudeBodyNude
- Graphis Poster Annual: Parsons Dance Company Poster
- Epson Professional Masters
- Kodak Pro Photographer
2001
- Applied Arts Photography Competition for NudeBodyNude
- Yahoo Internet Life for best website
- Hasselblad Master
- Photo District News Photography Annual for advertising, fashion editorial and website
- Art Directors' Club Distinctive Merit Award for Body Knots
2000
- Photo District News/PIX: Digital Imaging Award of Merit: Advertising Orange Slice for Stoli Vodka
- Photo District News/PIX: Digital Imaging for Body Knots, first place
- Photo District News/PIX Digital Imaging for fashion editorial: Water Wars
- Communication Arts Photography Annual for Body Knots
- Photography Yearbook (cover) feature on Howard Schatz
1999
- Graphis Magazine (cover) feature on Howard Schatz
- Graphis Photography Annual: Fashion & Underwater
- Communication Arts Photography Annual for 2(x)ist advertising campaign
- Communication Arts Design Annual: book design for Pool Light
- Communication Arts Advertising Annual for Time Magazine advertising campaign
- Photo District News/PIX: Annual Digital Photography Competition for advertising, first place
- Applied Arts Photography Competition for fashion editorial
- Independent Book Publisher's Award for Pool Light
1998
- Zoom Magazine, International Digital Photography Competition
- Photo District News Annual Digital Photography Competition, first place
- American Graphic Design Award for Dance Magazine cover story
- Communication Arts Design Annual for Passion & Line
- Association of Graphic Communications for Dance Magazine calendar
- World Press Competition for Passion & Line
- Applied Arts Photography Competition for fashion editorial
- Applied Arts Photography Competition for book design for Passion & Line
- National Calendar Awards for Passion & Line
- Graphis Photography Annual for Passion & Line
1997
- World Press Honorable Mention, Arts & Entertainment Stories: Passion & Line
- German Art Director's Club Gold Medal for WaterDance in Stern Magazine
- American Photography 13 Photo Annual for Pregnancy series
- Applied Arts Photography Competition for fashion editorial
- Communication Arts Photography Annual for Passion & Line, AT$T Olympics campaign and Newborn/Wet Kids
1996
- International Underwater Advertising Competition for Wolford Underwater Swimsuit Campaign, first place
- Applied Arts Photography Competition for fashion editorial
- Communication Arts Photography Annual for WaterDance and BodyType
1995
- Communication Arts Photography Annual, International Edition (cover) for WaterDance
- Graphis Photography Annual for Newborn/Pregnancy
1994
- Communication Arts Photography Annual (cover) for Seeing Red
- American Photographer Annual Competition (cover) for WaterDance, first place
- Graphis Photography Annual for Homeless
1993
- Graphis Photography Annual for Gifted Woman
1992
- Advertising Photographers of America Photo Annual for Gifted Woman
