Terry Richardson denies inappropriate conduct, saying he was 'exploring sexuality' with models
The famous fashion photographer has faced a string of complaints
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Fashion photographer Terry Richardson has denied claims of inappropriate conduct during his shoots after numerous complaints from models, saying explicit acts were part of “exploring sexuality”.
The 48-year-old has been the subject of several legal claims from models he has worked with and some women have made public allegations claiming he coerced them into sex.
Earlier this year, he denied the “false accusations” and claimed to be the victim of an “emotionally-charged witch hunt” in a blog on the Huffington Post.
Richardson is known for his erotic brand of photography and has photographed celebrities including Kate Moss, Miley Cyrus and Beyonce.
In an interview with New York Magazine, he said he was never alone with models during photo shoots.
“It was never just me and a girl, ever,” he said. “It was always assistants, or other people around, or girls brought friends over to hang out.
“It was very daytime, no drugs, no alcohol. It was a happening, there was energy, it was fun, it was exciting, making these strong images, and that's what it was.
“People collaborating and exploring sexuality and taking pictures.”
One accusation, from a British model, related to a message seemingly from Richardson but that was proved to be a hoax from a fake Facebook account.
Another one, originally posted anonymously by a model on Reddit, alleged that when she was 19 Richardson directed her to fellate him during a shoot.
She was hospitalised after a panic attack later that night, she claimed.
A writer and stylist named Anna, from New York, claimed she was 23 when Richardson invited her to a photo shoot at his home and told her to reveal her breasts.
He allegedly asked her to crouch down on the floor, and “suddenly, I felt a d*** pressing into the side of my face,” she wrote in an email to Jezebel. “He pressed it to my lips. He clearly wanted a blow job and wanted it documented on camera.”
No criminal charges have ever been pressed against Richardson.
He has freely talked about photo shoots getting “wild” and published pictures of sex acts, sometimes involving himself in exhibitions and books.
A collection of his work called Kibosh, features numerous pictures of Richardson’s penis, as well as him receiving oral sex or ejaculating on a woman’s face.