David Yarrow

Who is david yarrow?

David Yarrow is a master of contemporary photography whose monumental works and exacting production have established him as a defining force and one of the most sought-after artists in fine art photography today. 

Born in Glasgow in 1966, David Yarrow began his career behind the lens at an age when most are still finding their direction. At just 20 years old, he was commissioned by The Times to photograph the World Cup Final in Mexico City, capturing the now-iconic image of Diego Maradona holding the trophy. The photograph launched him onto the global stage, leading to assignments at the Olympics and major international sporting events.

After university, Yarrow stepped away from photography to build a successful career in finance, ultimately founding and later selling a hedge fund in 2014. Today, David Yarrow is widely regarded as one of the best-selling fine art photographers in the world. His monumental black-and-white works, cinematic in scale and meticulous in composition, offer immersive encounters with wildlife, remote cultures, and staged narrative scenes.

At Sotheby's in London, Yarrow’s photograph Mankind achieved $75,000, the highest result of the auction. The following year, The Wolf of Main Street realized $100,000, setting a benchmark for a living photographer at that sale, while 78 Degrees North reached $110,000.

Yarrow’s monograph Wild Encounters, published by Rizzoli New York with a foreword by Prince William, was named “Art Book of the Year” by Amazon in 2017. Philanthropy remains central to his practice: all royalties from the book support Tusk, and charitable proceeds from his artwork have raised millions for conservation initiatives. Yarrow also serves as an ambassador for WildArk and the Kevin Richardson Foundation, reinforcing his commitment to wildlife preservation.

Yarrow is represented by leading galleries around the world and participates consistently in major fairs such as The Photography Show presented by AIPAD in New York and Art Miami. In Europe, he has presented many exhibitions in London, Gstaad, Zürich, Oslo, Antwerp, and Amsterdam have solidified his international collector base.

David Yarrow’s images are instantly recognizable: visceral, immersive, and technically exacting. Yet their value is reinforced by controlled editions, consistent auction performance, and global demand.