Is David Yarrow's Photography a Good Investment? 5 Reasons Why Art Investors Love the Renowned Photographer’s Work

Why David Yarrow Photography is Popular Among Investors

The photographer David Yarrow is a master of creating intimate and immersive images, whether he is channelling the magic of the big screen to tell cinematic stories or shooting wild beasts in their natural habitats. Specialising in wildlife and fine art photography, this world-renowned artist has spent decades traversing the globe to capture his unique perspective of life on earth. From iconic images of the animal kingdom to his collaborations with some very famous faces, including supermodel Cindy Crawford and the Norwegian footballer Erling Haaland, his large-scale photographs are infused with drama and make a powerful statement on the wall.

A blue-chip artist whose works hang in major museums, Yarrow is represented by some of the world's top contemporary galleries, including, in the UK, Maddox Gallery. With his auction prices continuing to deliver impressive results and limited-edition prints frequently selling out, it is no exaggeration to say that of the masters of photography David Yarrow is right up there with the very best. Discover five reasons why collectors and investors love his work.

WHY INVEST IN YARROW

1. David Yarrow’s Auction Results are Out of this World

With strong demand from collectors worldwide, David Yarrow auction results have been consistently good, with realised prices regularly surpassing their estimates. With his work regularly coming up for sale at the leading auction houses, in 2018 he set a new auction record for his work when 78 Degrees North sold for just under £110,000 at Sotheby’s London. When the hammer came down on this striking photograph of a polar bear, taken in Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic, the realised price was an astonishing 277% more than its estimate of $18,000.

Well-known collectors of David Yarrow photography include Gisele Bündchen and Gordon Ramsey, Alexis Sanchez and Jamie Redknappt. The former American football quarterback and NFL star Tom Brady also owns several pieces of David Yarrow art, including The Wolves of Wolf Street. Brady is such a fan of Yarrow’s work that he contributed the foreword to the coffee-table book David Yarrow Photography: Americas, Africa, Antarctica, Arctic, Asia, Europe, published in 2019.

2. David Yarrow’s Photos Show Strong Market Performance and Sales Growth

As an asset class, fine art photography has grown considerably over the past decade. Increasingly recognised for its investment potential, photography has transitioned from a niche art form to a mainstream contender in the fine art market, with large-format and limited-edition pieces in particular regarded as the most stable. Photography’s relatively lower price point compared to painting also provides an entryway for new collectors, adding to its market expansion.

Experiencing a steady appreciation in value, David Yarrow’s photos have proven to be a stable investment over time, with prices increasing as demand grows and good returns in the medium to long term. In 2023, clients who invested in David Yarrow with Maddox Advisory realised an average profit of 33%, with the most sought-after prints achieving the greatest returns. These include The Siberians, created in 2016 and sold in 2023 for 67% more than its original price, and, achieving an incredible +92% profit, The Wolf of Main Street II, released in 2017.

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3. David Yarrow’s Net Worth Reflects His Artistic Value: A Commitment to Philanthropy and Conservation

With his limited-edition works regularly selling for high prices at auction, David Yarrow’s Net Worth is closely linked to his performance as an artist. As an ex-hedge fund manager, he is an astute businessman. Beyond the lens, however, Yarrow is a great animal lover who has raised millions for conservation charities. Alongside the swashbuckling David Yarrow photographer persona he has cultivated, there is a caring, giving person who has positioned philanthropy at the heart of his practice.

David Yarrow’s position in the industry has rewarded him with a wide range of charitable roles. An ambassador for WildArk, the Kevin Richardson Foundation and the African Community and Conservation Foundation, he also sits on the advisory board of Tusk Trust. In the past five years alone, donations from the sale of Yarrow’s art have exceeded $15 million. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Maddox partnered with Yarrow for the release of Our Pride, a special photographic edition supporting NHS doctors and nurses on the frontline. In 2021, Maddox hosted the exclusive unveiling of Catwalk, in support of the Kevin Richardson Foundation for the protection and conservation of lions. In recent years, the photographer has launched fundraising campaigns to raise awareness of a wide range of issues, including the declining lion numbers in Africa, the koalas impacted by Australian bush fires and, in collaboration with Cindy Crawford, The American Family Children’s Hospital at the University of Wisconsin, where Crawford’s brother was treated for leukaemia. His commitment to philanthropy and conservation is unwavering, with the photographer establishing the David Yarrow Family Foundation in 2023 to strengthen his relations with his charity partners.

Whether it is to raise awareness of endangered species or generate funds for charitable causes, much of Yarrow’s fine art photography is created with a social conscience. Not only does this enhance his reputation and public profile, it also lets investors know that their money is being used to support good causes and increases the desirability of Yarrow’s pieces, elevating the long-term value of his work.

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4. Yarrow’s Unique Artistic Style: He Captures the Animal and Human World in a Fresh and Creative Way

Yarrow’s distinct point of view, sensitivity to his subjects and artistic uniqueness stand out in the fine art world. From a close up of a lion leaping towards the camera to a glamorous ensemble of models, pictured on Italy’s iconic Amalfi coast, a David Yarrow photo always leaves a lasting impression.

Renowned for camping out for hours to achieve his shot, Yarrow has a singular talent for weaving complex narratives into his works. This ability to tell stories through his art means that his photographs are more than just images; they are immersive experiences that transport the viewer elsewhere.

Among his most iconic works are his black-and-white photographs of wildlife. Fusing the knowledge of David Attenborough with the visual drama of Ridley Scott, his creative process involves extensive research and painstaking preparation—there is no predicting how a wild animal will act in front of the camera. 

Known for getting close to his subjects, he often directs shoots from the confines of a heavy metal cage, with his camera housed in a custom-made 14-pound steel box and operated by a hand-held switch. Using a Nikon 58mm F1.4 lens to realise his signature depth and detail, he photographs from a lower elevation, making his subjects appear more dominant in their environment. Documenting the natural world from new perspectives, this signature style, bold and impactful, has established him as a trailblazer in the world of photography.

5: Limited Editions & Rarity in David Yarrow’s Art: How Investing in Blue Chip Art Photography Holds Long Term Value

Exclusivity in art can substantially boost return on investment and long-term value. Every piece of David Yarrow photography is a limited edition, with the David Yarrow prints cost starting from £18,000.

In December 2019, The Wolves of Wall Street I set a new world record for a work by David Yarrow when it sold to a private buyer for $200,000 at Art Miami. Part of a limited series of 12 featuring the real Wolf of Wall Street, Jordan Belfort, this particular piece, signed by Leonardo DiCaprio, who played Belfort in the blockbuster movie, and the film’s director, Martin Scorsese, highlights just how rare and valuable limited edition prints can be. It is private collectors such as this one, and art investment funds which allow owners to partially own works of art, that are contributing to the rising value of fine art photography, and Blue Chip photographers such as David Yarrow in particular. 

WHY INVEST IN YARROW

As a well-established artist with years of consistent sales under his belt, Yarrow has joined the rarefied group of blue-chip photographers, including Andreas Gursky, Cindy Sherman, Richard Avedon and Peter Lik, whose works are characterised by strong resale values and have been historically proven to appreciate in value. Like Cindy Sherman, whose work has also experienced significant price growth, Yarrow’s limited-edition prints benefit from the scarcity factor and high production values. Comparable to Sherman and Avedon in terms of both financial returns and institutional recognition, the strong secondary market for Yarrow’s photographs reinforces his standing as an investment-worthy artist.

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The Future Outlook of David Yarrow Photography

In response to the question posed at the beginning of this article, is David Yarrow a good investment?, the answer is a resounding yes. Collectors seeking visual impact and emotional depth often gravitate toward his powerful imagery. And with the growing appreciation of photography as an artform and steady rise in value of works by blue-chip photographers, David Yarrow art is uniquely positioned to appeal to collectors seeking reliable returns over time. 

Whether you are drawn to the wildlife photographer David Yarrow or relate more to his evocative storytelling images, anyone who is interested in investing in fine art photography will have a work—or two—by Yarrow on their wish list. As his status within the art world continues to flourish, boosted by his celebrity collaborations, charitable contributions and philanthropic partnerships, it’s inevitable that his investment potential as an artist will grow alongside it.

Learn more about the current David Yarrow pop-up at Maddox Gallery and about investing in David Yarrow photography.

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The value of investments can go down as well as up. Past performance is not a guarantee of future performance. Fees, Terms and Conditions apply. Please seek your own financial advice before purchasing.