Ryan McGinley (American, b.1977) is an influential Contemporary photographer. Known for his snapshot-casual style, McGinley’s work typically features young, white, nude models outdoors, captured in a carefree mode that the artist calls an “evidence of fun.” McGinley first started by shooting friends and now uses models, scouted by himself or an assistant, with many of his shoots taking place during annual road trips across America that allow the artist to stage seemingly-spontaneous moments of his own imagining, such as nude waterskiing or models dashing through fireworks.

Born and raised in Ramsey, NJ, McGinley was the youngest of eight children. His older brother died of complications due to AIDS when McGinley was just 17. This was a formative experience that continued to affect McGinley’s life and work. The artist also cites the skateboarders, punk musicians, and street artists he grew up around as influences, along with the work of filmmaker Terrence Malick.

At the age of 25, McGinley became the youngest artist in 30 years to have a solo show at the Whitney Museum of American Art. His work has been exhibited all over the world, including the P.S.1 Contemporary Arts Center in Queens, the MUSAC in Spain, Ratio 3 in San Francisco, Team Gallery in New York, and many others. In addition to his personal work, McGinley has provided editorial and advertising work for clients such as Vice magazine, Levi’s, and New York Times Magazine, among others. His work can be found in the public collections of the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Guggenheim in New York, the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC, and the Whitney Museum, among others.