Todd Cole is an internationally acclaimed photographer and filmmaker. A sought-after talent in the fashion and advertising world, Todd's images have graced the pages of many international publications, including i-D, Purple, Self Service, POP, 032C, T Magazine, Vogue, The NY Times Style Magazine, The Fader, and Art Review, among others. He has also published photography books, I’m Yours To Keep (AndPress, 2012) and Spirit Myth (2021). His work is distinguished not just by the subjects he captures but by the stories he tells through his lens.
At the heart of Todd's work lies a deep-seated passion for storytelling. Whether behind the camera for a high-fashion shoot or directing a film, Todd views each frame as an opportunity to weave compelling narratives. His approach is characterized by a unique blend of emotional depth and an imaginative eye for detail, aiming to inspire viewers to see themselves within the stories he tells. Through his photography and films, Todd aspires to transcend mere visual aesthetics, engaging audiences on a profound level and inviting them into a world where every image is a gateway to a richer, more intricate story.
In the trio of short films made in collaboration with the clothing label Rodarte, Todd blends high fashion with magical reality to critical acclaim. "This Must Be the Only Fantasy" (starring Elijah Wood) was voted the top fashion film of 2013 by Business of Fashion and received a People’s Choice Webby Award for Online Film & Video. "The Curve of Forgotten Things" (starring Elle Fanning) and "Aanteni" were screened at major international film festivals, including the AFI Film Festival in Los Angeles. The films also traveled to museums in Europe as part of the "Out of Fashion" exhibition.
Todd has written multiple feature film screenplays. "END ZONE" has been optioned by Vice Studios and will mark Todd’s feature film directorial debut. Through every medium he explores, Todd continues to solidify his reputation as a master storyteller, whose work not only captures the eye but also captivates the heart.
Clients
Apple, Instagram, Netflix, Rodarte, Kate Spade, Hermes, Maison Martin Margiela, Nike, Stussy, Frye, Timberland, Jimmy Choo, Biotherm, Tommy Hilfiger, Anthropologie, Claudie Pierlot, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Levi’s/MOCA, Under Armour, Zadig & Voltaire, Adidas, Puma, and VW
Exhibitions
Solo
‘I’m Yours to Keep’ Brachfeld Paris Gallery, Paris, France September 2009
‘Bungled’ Monclova Gallery, Mexico City August – September 2005
‘Minimum Visual Impact Structures’ Colette Gallery Paris France - April 2003
Group
'Lost in Space' Design Matters Gallery Los Angeles June 2014
‘Out of Fashion’ NAiM / Bureau Europa Maastricht Edition May 2011
‘Out of Fashion’ 40th International Film Festival Rotterdam January - February 2011
‘Secrets’ Space 1520 Los Angeles October 2010
‘The Show on Vegas’ M+B Gallery Los Angeles June 28 – August 2007
‘Confessions of a Graphic Designer’ Reg Vardy Gallery. School of Arts, Design Media & Culture, University of Sunderland. 2005
Articles and Reviews
2011 W Magazine The Top Ten fashion films of 2010
2010 The Business of Fashion Fashion 2.0 | Top 10 Fashion Films of the Season
2010 Interview Magazine Nowhere to Hide: Todd Cole Films Rodarte 2009 032c “17th Issue – Mike Mills” Summer 2009
2008-2009 Purple Fashion 10 “Ed Ruscha” Fall Winter 2008-2009
2008 Paris-LA, Issue 1, November 2008
2006 Purple Fashion 10 “Villa La Cañada” Spring Summer 2006
2005 The Journal, New York The Photo Issue curated by Aaron Rose Flash Art, New York
2004 i-D Magazine, London The Location Issue Liberation, Paris France July BIG Magazine, The Paris Issue
2003 Vogue Hommes International, Paris France Spring/Summer 03 Dazed and Confused, London, The LA Issue BIG Magazine, New York, The LA Issue
2002 i-D Magazine, London, The Landscape issue