Chris von Wangenheim rpduced a body of work which has continued to fascinate, intrigue and influence the photography world. Combining a dark world of sexuality, violence, and vouyerism in all their perverse implications, with an extreme visual elegance, he achieved a starling synthesis of glamour and terror which is unique to his work.

He was born in 1942 in Germany. In 1965 he migrated to New York to learn photography. One year after he had set up his own studio and began working for Harper's Bazaar.By 1970 he was photographing for Italian Vogue and by 1971 for French Vogue. In 1972 he became 'contributing editor' of American Vogue.

Chris von Wangenheim worked for many mayor advertising companies such as revlon, Clairol, Christian Dior and Helena Rubinstein. He also contributed to magazines like Esquire, Oui, Playboy, and Interview.

His career was cut short in 1981 by an early accidental death.