From intimate portraits of artists and entertainers, to music videos, to documenting the cultural zeitgeist, Autumn de Wilde's work reflects a unique collaboration between photographer and subject. As a result of this creative connection, she's been instrumental in defining the visual identity of an ever-expanding pool of well-known musicians and performers. She's photographed Beck, Yeah Yeah Yeah's, Death Cab for Cutie, The White Stripes, Fiona Apple, Elliott Smith and many other artists for album covers, press and editorial spreads. Recently, her work also includes writing/directing/shooting a print campaign and branded film for Oliver Peoples as well as concentrating on an on-going, thorough documentation of the daring work of young American-couture design team, Rodarte. Her most recent book, Elliott Smith, published by Chronicle Books, provides an intimate look into the life of the late artist, through her photographs and recorded conversations.
Autumn was exposed to
photography at a young age, courtesy of her father, Jerry de Wilde. His
own photos, chronicle his journey through the counter-culture landscape
of musicians and artists during the '60s and '70s, including John
Sebastian, Mama Cass, Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa and Ken Kesey. Last
fall, Autumn and Jerry teamed up for a father/daughter exhibition at the
Morrison Hotel Gallery in New York. Jerry's documentary photos of the
rock 'n' roll events and cultural shifts of his generation blended
seamlessly with the intimate and surreal images of Karen O, Jack White,
Beck and Elliott Smith captured by Autumn.
"I feel like it's my
responsibility to try and step into the shoes of my subject and their
audience," Autumn says of her process. "I step outside myself, but I
guess I also make sure to always leave a little piece of me inside the
work." Her dedication to this ideal has helped her navigate her way
through the worlds of music, film and fashion, giving all her
photographs a distinct appeal, a personal identity, and ultimately, a
defining image of the artist.
Autumn joined boutique production company O Positive last year for commercial directing
PARTIAL CLIENT LIST
ABC Television, BlackBook Magazine, C Magazine, Capitol Records, Dangerbird Records, Elle Magazine, Focus Features, Fox Television, German Vogue, HBO, Harper's Bazaar, Hollywood Records, Interscope Records, Island Def Jam, Lula Magazine, L´uomo Vogue, Montone Records, Mute, New York Magazine, Opening Ceremony, Paper Magazine, Rodarte, Rolling Stone Magazine, Sony Music, Target, Teen Vogue, The Hollywood Reporter, Third Man Records, Universal Records, Vagrant Records, Vanity Fair Magazine, Vogue, Wired Magazine
Career
De Wilde has photographed CD covers for Miranda Cosgrove, Elliott Smith, Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins, The Raconteurs, The White Stripes, Fiona Apple, Beck, Built to Spill, Wilco, Monsters of Folk, New Found Glory, and a number of other musicians. In addition, she has directed music videos for Elliott Smith, Spoon, Ingrid Michaelson, The Raconteurs, Rilo Kiley and Death Cab for Cutie. Her portrait subjects include Willie Nelson, Sean Watkins, Ryan Adams, Sonic Youth, Tegan and Sara, and Wolfmother. De Wilde's live concert documentary work includes The Flaming Lips, Spoon, and the Arcade Fire.[citation needed] De Wilde's photos have appeared on the cover of Spin magazine and in the pages of Rolling Stone, Filter Nylon, Los Angeles Times, Entertainment Weekly, and The New York Times. Autumn de Wilde also documents the couture designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte.
In 2007 Chronicle Books released a book, Elliott Smith, that has photographs de Wilde had taken of the musician Elliott Smith. The book includes handwritten lyrics, interviews with close friends and family, and a bonus CD of a live performance.
In 2010, De Wilde offered commentary in a series of reissues for the back catalog of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, appearing in the accompanying documentaries entitled "Do You Love Me Like I Love You."
In 2011, her work was extensively featured in the Limited Edition Deluxe Box version of The Decemberists album The King Is Dead. The box set included a one-of-a-kind Polaroid photograph by Autumn from the Impossible Project/Decemberists series, as well as a 72-page hardcover book featuring over 250 unique Polaroid photographs by Autumn and illustrations by Carson Ellis.
Personal Life
She was once married to drummer Aaron Sperske. Footage from their wedding was used in the music video By Your Side by Beachwood Sparks.
In 2010, De Wilde offered commentary in a series of reissues for the back catalog of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, appearing in the accompanying documentaries entitled "Do You Love Me Like I Love You."
In 2011, her work was extensively featured in the Limited Edition Deluxe Box version of The Decemberists album The King Is Dead. The box set included a one-of-a-kind Polaroid photograph by Autumn from the Impossible Project/Decemberists series, as well as a 72-page hardcover book featuring over 250 unique Polaroid photographs by Autumn and illustrations by Carson Ellis.
Personal Life
She was once married to drummer Aaron Sperske. Footage from their wedding was used in the music video By Your Side by Beachwood Sparks.