David Yarrow
Although Glasgow, Scotland is a bit of a trek from Fort Worth – try approximately 4,477 miles away – one of its residents has done a great job of capturing the essence of the Stockyards via a newly released photograph.
Known for capturing striking images that incorporates models posing in stunning backdrops across the globe, Scottish photographer David Yarrow’s latest work smacks of Fort Worth. Considered one of the best-selling photographers of all time, Yarrow’s work is represented and supported by over 40 galleries across the globe. Over the last four years alone, Yarrow’s work has sold for more than $125 million, including over $15 million for philanthropic causes, according to Yarrow’s website.
To date, Yarrow is best known for his captivating images of sports stars, world-renowned models, wildlife, indigenous communities, landscapes, and the American West. His latest image, simply titled, “White Elephant Saloon,” depicts a stylized image of two models posing next to an old cowboy, with a longhorn behind the bar inside of the legendary Stockyards’ watering hole in crisp monochromatic black and white. Behind the main models in the photo are series of Western-style characters that fill in the spaces in the background.
“We were honored to host David Yarrow at the White Elephant Saloon and to be part of his newest photo release,” The White Elephant Saloon posted on Facebook. “His remarkable photography and unique vision perfectly capture[s] the spirit of the White Elephant, and it was a privilege to see his artistry come to life right in the heart of the Stockyards!”
David Yarrow
Born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1966, Yarrow took up photography at an early age, eventually landing himself a job as a photographer for The London Times. It was during his time there that he captured a famous image of Diego Maradona in Mexico City in 1986, during the World Cup Final. Thanks in part to this photo, Yarrow was given some recognition, plus several other opportunities to photograph other visual events. However, instead of continuing a career in photography, Yarrow entered the world of banking after he finished his university studies, a world he’d inhabit for eight years.
In 2014, Yarrow sold his business working as an institution stockbroker in UK equities, both in London and New York City, so he could fund his continued passion for photography.
Since switching his interested to photography, Yarrow’s work has been exhibited at prestigious venues such as the Saatchi Gallery, the Phillip's Gallery, and Christie's global headquarters.
Since COVID-19, Yarrow has spent much of his time working on a personal anthology of the Wild West of America. His photo style has been self-described as more entertaining than it is educational, since his images focus on the absurd reality that he uses to create them with.
David Yarrow
Besides shooting images of the Wild West of America, Yarrow latest photo campaign featured the most decorated skier of all time, Mikaela Shiffrin, on the cover of Snow Magazine’s Winter 2023 edition. The ten-page feature was a world exclusive and detailed the shoot in Norway casting Mikaela as the leader of alpine exploration.
"If you want to be a better photographer, stand in front of more interesting stuff,” Yarrow says.
Outside of his photo campaigns, Yarrow is also interested in documenting the natural world around him. In December of 2015, Yarrow shot a wolf walking down the center of a bar in a ghost town in Montana, which resonated with art fans. This is the exact style of photo Yarrow took inside of the White Elephant Saloon, only instead of a wolf, we have a very Fort Worth-centric animal – the Longhorn.
“This picture resonated more with people than any of my wildlife photos, it was an eye-opening reaction,” he says.