Johnny ‘Jean’ Pigozzi is the lens-man who captured his iconic friends in candid and intimate moments, often at home by his own pool. Within the seclusion of his family villa in the sun-drenched location of Antibes on the French Riviera, Pigozzi documented a wide range of friends from the worlds of fashion, film, art and music.

Mick Jagger, Helmut Newton, Andy Warhol, Bono, Elle Macpherson, Angelica Huston, Naomi Campbell and Sharon Stone, have all been captured in playful moments of social revelry.

Born in Paris in 1952, Pigozzi lives and works between New York, London, Paris, and Antibes. Recalling his passion for photography, Pigozzi, also a philanthropist and businessman told us: “I started taking photographs when I was about nine years old; being slightly dyslexic, the only way to keep a journal of my life was by taking photographs.”

Gagosian in New York is exhibiting photographs from Pigozzi’s private collection, many of which are being presented for the first time. The images evoke another side to the photographer’s subjects, showing them sunbathing and frolicking, and revealing a more personal side their usual representations.

Curious about the gatherings at his villa, Pigozzi revealed: “The parties last about three or fours and are fun from beginning to end, even when it rains. These are very relaxed parties full of friends having a good time.’

Asking about his intimate image of Mick Jagger and Helmut Newton, Pigozzi added, “Mick and Helmut had known each other and worked together for many years. This was just a fun moment. Don’t worry, Helmut was never really thrown into the pool by Mick.”

‘Johnny’s Pool’ by Johnny Pigozzi in on show at Gagosian, West 24th Street, New York

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