2011 Golden Iris Nominees: Photographer of the Year

Shortly after selecting the final five nominees in this category, we realized three of the men are happily married with husbands. This made us reevaluate their work from a different perspective and to consider the role domestic bliss may have played in the exceptional work they created in 2011.

Nominee Matthias Vriens-McGrath’s husband Donovan played a key role, specifically with their BL33N T-shirt line; David Armstrong’s first photography book in nearly a decade is named for his address in Brooklyn—a sure sign he’s embraced nesting; and Joan Crisol shares smiling photos of himself with husband Jon via social media: their exuberance mirroring that which is seen in Crisol's photographs.

The relationship status of nominees Dimitris Theocharis and Mariano Vivanco is a bit fuzzier, but were fairly certain neither man is married. That would also explain why these two photographers displayed the most dramatically creative evolution of the five. While the married nominees have honed and perfected their relationships with their work, Theocharis and Vivanco are still peeling back the layers; much like one does during the early stages of a romance. And while we truly savor the deep commitment of marriage, watching single people navigate the world is just as compelling. Millions of Sex and the City fans would agree.

Check out this year's nominees and vote for your favorite. Our pick for 2011’s Photographer of the Year will be announced the morning of Friday, December 23rd. The reader's pick winner will be revealed when voting ends later that same day.

DAVID ARMSTRONG: It’s been nearly a decade since David Armstrong published a photography book, which made the July release of Golden Iris-nominated 615 Jefferson Avenue a much-anticipated event. And the 55-year-old art world legend’s tome did not disappoint: It’s a remarkable collection of portraits featuring unconventional youth whose ripening beauty is forever preserved by Armstrong’s sumptuous eye. The generous photographer also treated us to a prolific year of stunning editorial shoots for oversized glossies including; Numero Homme, Purple Fashion, Tetû and Wonderland. But it was his breathtaking session with Sean O’Pry for Vogue Hommes International that sealed the deal on Armstrong's nomination this year. O'Pry is one of the world’s most photographed men, amd the editorial's languid images revealed a side of him we had not seen before. The session also reaffirmed that Armstrong’s vision is like no other.

JOAN CRISOL: We first fell in love with the work of Joan Crisol upon the discovery of his 2008 photography book, Chulo. Since then, we’ve enjoyed viewing the Spanish photographer’s energetic images of celebrities and models in magazines ranging from FHM to Rolling Stone. However, the cinematic flair and intense eroticism he brings to his ongoing gig with ES Collection is our favorite, and this year, Crisol topped himself by creating museum-worthy images that were key to the underwear line’s nomination for Campaign of the Year. The 37-year-old photographer also moonlighted with Addicted swimwear, elevating the company’s 2011 campaign with his hyperreal vision and lust for life. In a year dominated by imagery that often felt somber, Crisol’s exuberant photography reminded us that hope still exists, even if only in smaller doses.

DIMITRIS THEOCHARIS: More than anything else this year, it was Dimitris Theocharis’ work for British fashion magazine Schön that helped secure his second consecutive Golden Iris nomination in this category. This doesn't mean Theocharis’ work elsewhere was lacking, but as one of the most visual exciting publications currently in print, Schön served as the ideal venue for the London-based photographer’s rich and uniquely modern vision. From serving up models Sebastian Suavé and Leebo Freeman as Day-Glo sweet tarts to juxtaposing living sculpture Rob Evans against an ominous and brooding sky, the 34-year-old photographer presented images that were as fantastical as they were sexy. And though his magnificent session with Brazilian model Marlon Teixeira went viral three times over, our favorite Theocharis session of 2011 was the recent editorial “Noir,” which proved he could still dazzle us with the glitter wiped clean: an artistic move reminiscent of Bowie’s transition from Mars to Berlin.

MARIANO VIVANCO: Of the five photographers nominated for a 2011 Golden Iris Award, Mariano Vivanco had the highest profile and most creatively diverse year. The Peru-born lensman shot international pop sensations Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin for album and magazine covers, Rick Genest for the stunning Mugler campaign, and naked male fashion models for his latest photography book, Dolce & Gabbana Uomini. He also helped his friend, supermodel David Gandy, give a shout out to UK gays by photographing the beautiful Brit for a stunning Attitude magazine editorial. Some of Vivanco’s 2011 images, like those for the Mugler campaign, are already iconic. As time marches on, a notable portion of the 35-year-old’s work this year is destined for inclusion in both college courses and books covering the history of photography. Though Vivanco was already a revered photographer, in 2011 he established himself as one of the greats, and we will now watch his every move with increased anticipation.

MATTHIAS VRIENS-MCGRATH: Already one of the world’s most in-demand celebrity and fashion photographers, it doesn’t take much for Matthias Vriens-McGrath to end up on a list honoring contemporary photographers. That said, it was primarily the launch of his luxury T-shirt line BL33N with husband Donovan Vriens-McGrath that placed the Netherlands-native in the finals for a Golden Iris nomination this year (the photographer’s drool-worthy photos of Mark Ruffalo, Ryan Reynolds and Shia LaBeouf helped, too). The BL33N move was a smart one, given the modern day world’s requirement to wear multiple hats, and the collaboration of spouses set a wonderful example for equality. Together, the couple promoted the line with lots of cheeky fun that included top male models posing naked with just the BL33N logo covering their junk, Golden Iris-nominee River Viiperi making his drag debut, and wrangling the divine talents of Drew Droege as Chöle Sevigny to pitch the T-shirts in a promo clip. In fact, this particular nomination could just as easily honor both of the Vriens-McGrath’s for their work this year. If Matthias wins, he better remember to thank his husband before anyone else.

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