Paul Himmel (1914–2009) was an American photographer known for his striking fashion, portrait, and dance photography. Working primarily in the 1940s through the 1960s, he contributed to publications such as Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, often blending elegance with a sense of movement and abstraction.
His dance photographs, in particular, are celebrated for capturing the grace, rhythm, and emotional intensity of performance. Later in life, Himmel stepped away from photography to focus on psychotherapy, but his work remains influential for its bold composition and artistic vision.
Take a look at these striking fashion photos by Paul Himmel from the late 1940s and ’50s.
Model wearing a green Bates poplin dress under white eyelet with plain green sash by Carolyn Schnurer, photo by Paul Himmel, Harper’s Bazaar, June 1948
Barbara Mullen in scimitar-slim dress of hammered satin woven with Enka rayon by Herbert Sondheim, photo by Paul Himmel at French & Co., Harper’s Bazaar, October 1948
Lisa Fonssagrives in brown and white checked crêpe dress tied with a bow at the neck by Nantucket Naturals, straw boater by John Frederics, photo by Paul Himmel, Harper’s Bazaar, April 1948
Lisa Fonssagrives in crêpe and rayon dress with lace insert by Paul Parnes, mink stole by Fredrica, photo by Paul Himmel at the Plaza, Harper’s Bazaar, December 1948
Meg Mundy in pale topaz tweed coat, with slender shoulder, close collar and flare at the hemline by Vera Maxwell, natural straw roller by John Frederics, Marc Cross bag, photo by Paul Himmel, Harper’s Bazaar, March 1948
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