A Chicago native, Ernest Collins was known as one of that city’s top hair-stylists and make-up artists.

Ernest began in fashion in a round-about way. His sister-in-law, Carmen Collins, was a top model in the city of Chicago. He would always do her make-up & hair for such notable photographers such as, Lance Stadler, Tom Styrkowicz, and Marvin Monroe, just to name a few.

In 1983, Ernest ventured to Milan, Italy to work. There, he was well received, having the opportunity to work with photographers, Tiziano Magni, Tom Wool, Jonathan Leonard, Sergio Caminata, Lionel Pasquon and others. And so, after years of working with some of fashion photography’s biggest names, Ernest decided that it was time to try his own hand at the craft. He knew that his biggest advantanges were his sense of style, his growing reputation as a model-maker, his ability to grace models with a “look”, his own personal sense of direction, and ultimately the ability to photograph it all.

Ernest knew that Chicago would be an impossible base for fashion. Other than photographers like Stan Mamanowski, and Michael Mazanec, he was not finding that artistic outlet. This prompted a return to Europe. In 1990, he accepted an invitation to come to Paris and instantly fell in love with the city. He has been based there ever since.

Ernest Collins now resides between Paris and Chicago, and is immersed in both cultures. He is a truly cosmopolitan photographer who continues to create magnificent images, bringing out the best in his models !!!
He keeps a keen eye to the future, while looking back on his career with an intense sense of satisfaction, and absolutely, no regrets.