Background
He grew up in Dublin, Ireland and is currently based between Los Angeles and Europe.
He grew up in Dublin, Ireland and is currently based between Los Angeles and Europe.
His work has been published in Vanity Fair, Vanity Fair Italia, Vogue Paris, Vogue Greece, Gentlemen’s Quarterly, British Gentlemen’s Quarterly, Gentlemen’s Quarterly Style, Gentlemen’s Quarterly Spain, Gentlemen’s Quarterly Germany, Gentlemen’s Quarterly Italy, Gentlemen’s Quarterly Turkey, Gentlemen’s Quarterly Mexico, Gentlemen’s Quarterly Portugal, Gentlemen’s Quarterly South Africa, L"Officiel, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Adweek, Complex Magazine, Flaunt, Golf Digest, New York Arts, Playboy (United States Edition), Playboy (French Edition), Esquire, Tatler, Treats, Vanidad, French, El País Semanal, The Sunday Times, PHOTO, Ramp magazine, Weiberkram, OUT magazine, Diva, Professional Photographer, View of the Times and Edelweiss. He has shot advertising campaigns for American Apparel, Mini, Custo Barcelona, Steve Madden, G-Fore, Michael M, Dynamite (Canada), Jennyfer, Triton (Brazil), Bershka, New Yorker, Travel Supermarket and Yves Rocher. He has photographed subjects from A-list stars to musicians, supermodels and artists such as Demi Lovato, Will Ferrell, Duran Duran, Erin Heatherton, Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, Emily Ratajkowski,, Snoop Dogg, Scott Eastwood, Adam Levine, Skin, Simon Pegg, Michael C Hall, Matt LeBlanc, Tyler, The Creator and Kate Upton.
In 2014, Kelly released his first self-published coffee table book titled Tony"s Toys.
Kelly chose the self-publishing route to sidestep the constraints of commercial publishing, allowing him to reflect his signature level of extravagance – right down to the hand stitched pages. The book is limited to a release of 900 copies + 100 special edition copies.
Described by Blink magazine as "ground breaking for both its innovative layout, dimensions and the scale of the images presented, this limited edition piece cements Kelly"s position as one of the most original and provocative photographers of our time". Kelly"s photographs are frequently overtly sexual in nature.
He has been described as “Irreverent, uncouth and provocative” and "Spontaneous, talkative and hyper-energetic”.
PHOTO magazine said his images "play with humour and provocation" and that "His flashy style has conquered the world of fashion". Paul Solomons, Creative Director of British Gentlemen’s Quarterly and Gentlemen’s Quarterly Style magazine described him saying “(Kelly) has carved out a distinctive style in an age where everyone seems to believe they can be photographers. He brings the pages of every publication he shoots for to life.
To say that Tony Kelly is one of a kind is an understatement.” Marco Finazzi Art Director of Vanity Fair claimed “When you need colour, irony and humor, he is the first name that comes to mind.
Think big, think Tony Kelly!”. Complex magazine ranked him number 25 of the 50 greatest fashion photographers.
Kelly started his career in the Irish and United Kingdom newspaper industry where he worked as a photographer for Independent Newspapers and News International. His assignments included the conflicts in Rwanda and Afghanistan.
He is a brave photographer not afraid to push directors and the talent.