As the world’s best-paid fashion photographer, Mario Testino regularly eyes wonderfully beautiful people through his lens – however, his younger years paint a completely different career picture. Born in Lima to a family of Irish, Spanish and Italian descent, Mario went searching for happiness upon completing his academic career: Studies in business at the Universidad Del Pacifico was followed by studies in law and international relations. In 1976, the then 21-year-old went off to London where he earned his living selling photo portfolios for upcoming models. With the help of a friend – no less than Carine Roitfeld – Mario was finally able to land a job with Gucci, which led to his big break.

Since then, Mario has advanced to become one of the most influential photographers in the world. His aesthetic fashion photos have not only boosted the success of labels like Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana or Versace and enhanced the pages of magazines such as Vogue or Vanity Fair – they are also viewed as genuine pieces of art. For example, his exhibition “Portraits by Mario Testino” could be astounded in 2002 at the National Portrait Gallery in London – and most recently the renowned Museum of Fine Arts in Boston invited him to display his works there in October 2012.

While the fashion-conscious Peruvian – who you mainly see wearing loafers and with a dandy-like scarf thrown around his neck – has dedicated his life to capturing outer beauty, inner beauty also counts in his book. Mario has always supported his close friend and muse Kate Moss, just as much as super-model Gisèle Bündchen. The fashion photographer is also a philanthropist and has used his MATE non-profit organization to call a dynamic platform to life that is designed to celebrate Peruvian artists and make them known around the world. Now that’s style, Mr Testino!

An elegant gentleman: star photographer Mario Testino is regarded as a positive person who is easy to work with

With a patient eye the master brings his own aesthetic vision to life