A New Book Celebrates More Than 250 Trailblazing Women Photographers Across 200 Years

In the introduction of a new book titled Great Women Photographers, Fiona Rogers writes, “If ‘greatness’ has long been defined by visibility and remembrance, then the continued documentation and celebration of women’s photographic practice is not only relevant but essential.”

The forthcoming title spans a multitude of photographic works from 68 countries and covers nearly 200 years of history. It’s the fourth volume in Phaidon’s series of books commemorating influential women in the artistic sphere, with previous installments focusing on distinct creative mediums such as painting and sculpting.

a photograph by Alex Prager of a woman in a vintage two-piece skirt suit set being attacked by pigeons. power lines run in the background — Alex Prager, “Eve,” 2008. Image courtesy of the artist, Alex Prager Studio, and Lehmann Maupin, New York, Seoul, and London. Chromogenic print, 36 x 45 inches

Highlighting more than 250 women in the field of photography, Great Women Photographers is organized alphabetically by name. Each artist entry includes recently commissioned texts written by leading scholars, accompanied with iconic images from the featured photographers.

From photojournalism and editorial portraiture to cameraless images and conceptual landscapes, Great Women Photographers is not only a visual record of the diverse contributions made by women but also, as the publisher notes, “a new lens on the world, inviting readers to discover, engage with, and be inspired by the work of some of the world’s greatest image-makers.”

You may also enjoy exploring other titles in the series, including Great Women Artists, Great Women Painters, and Great Women Sculptors. Great Women Photographers is slated for release on October 14, 2026. Pre-order your copy in the Colossal Shop. We also have a copy of Great Women Sculptors available now.

an image by Carolle Bénitah of an aged group photograph of several young girls. each of their faces is covered with red embroidered thread — Carolle Bénitah, “Le Déguisement (The Disguise),” 2009. Image © Carolle Bénitah, courtesy of Clémentine de la Féronnière Gallery & Sous Les Étoiles Gallery. Archival pigment print with silk thread, 16 1/2 × 24 inches

a vibrant photo by Simryn Gill of a woman sitting on a plastic chair in a lawn. her face is covered with a bunch of gourds — Simryn Gill, from the series “A Small Town at the Turn of the Century,” 1999–2000. Image courtesy of the artist. Chromogenic print, 36 x 36 inches

a photograph by Gohar Dashti of a newlywed couple sitting in a car in a junkyard. a military tank looms in distance — Gohar Dashti, “Untitled #5 from the series Today’s Life and War,” 2008. Image courtesy of the artist, shared with permission. Archival pigment print, 27 1/2 × 41 1/2 inches

a phtoograph by Pushpamala N. of three wimen in gold and black costumes against a striped background. two women on either side of the subject in the middle are mid-jump — Pushpamala N., “The Native Types / Circus from the series Native Women of South India,” 2004. Image courtesy of the artist and Nature Morte Delhi. Color photograph, 22 x 1413/16 inches, edition of 20, Art Gallery of New South Wales

the cover of "Great W̶o̶m̶e̶n̶ Photographers"

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