Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Steve McCurry, one of the world’s most renowned travel photographers (perhaps best know for his Afghan Girl photo), was chosen to create the 40th edition of the Pirelli 2013 Calendar. The much coveted Pirelli Calendar, best known for it’s high-glam appeal adorned with the world’s most beautiful models (often nude yet artistic) shot by the fashion industry’s top photographers including Mario Sorrenti, Terry Richardson, and Annie Leibovitz, takes a new approach for 2013.
“I wanted to photograph a mix of everyday people combined with a very special group of women known not only for their talent and beauty, but also their charitable work and contributions to their communities,” McCurry explains. “I would say I am a street photographer doing ‘found situations.’ You can photograph nudes anywhere. But these models are clothed, and each of them has her own charity. They are purposeful and idealistic people. So I wanted to photograph them in a special place, and Rio was perfect for this.”
Brazil, known for its dynamic culture and breathtaking landscapes, takes centre stage in the Pirelli 2013 Calendar for the third time; followed by photographer Patrick Demarchelier in 2005 and Terry Richardson in 2010.
Pirelli’s 2013 Calendar includes 11 models/actresses/singers over 34 colourful images bound in a calendar-book; 23 portraits with nine images showcasing Rio’s daily life and two shots solely of graffiti and murals.
Below, some of McCurry’s Pirelli 2013 Calendar photographs:
