Icon International

Icon International is one of the last remaining, genuinely independent photo syndication agencies. While the agency is distinguished for its celebrity portraiture holdings—here "celebrity" refers to notable figures from all walks of life, including the arts, letters, entertainment, politics, sports, and business—Icon also has a deep archive of fashion, lifestyle, beauty, and travel photography. Neither a boutique nor stock agency, Icon has the resources, reach, and expertise of the largest corporate agencies while offering the service, creativity, and care that one would expect from a much smaller agency. Icon's legal services, available to all of its photographers, are unparalleled in the industry, as is the agency's tireless advocacy on behalf of photographer rights, including copyright and intellectual property issues. Icon was founded by Kimberly Ayl in 1997. The agency’s roster of eminent photographers continues to grow, from precisely two shooters in 1997 to more than 50 today, including Rankin, Cliff Watts, Wayne Maser, and Jonas Karlsson. In addition to editorial print publications, Icon also works closely with movie studios, film distribution companies, and record labels to support their promotional, publicity, and merchandising efforts. Non-print, digital and electronic platforms, such as branded websites and PDAs, are emerging as still another important market for photo syndication. The near future will see the agency pursuing print sales, art exhibitions, and the syndication of film and video content. For more information and access to Icon’s image holdings, visit