Photo

lagerfeld photo is not easy to find. my fragrance "guide" chris from SCENTLAND said it is one of the best fougere ever. during the summer i finally found not 1 but 2 untouched 125ml testers for a reasonable price, it was a blind buy but i had no choice(original formula with the green title!). what can i say? it was love at first sniff! this is a great fougere, a bit 90's but absolutely wearable nowadays. it opens with mandarin, then we have aldehydes, lavender, carnation, patchouli and amber. fresh and warm at the same time, photo is quite unique, the only one close to l.p. is xeryous by givenchy: some vibes are similar, but to me photo is better, more modern and easy to wear, xeryous on my skin is so potent to give me an headache. i think photo was very sexy in the early 90's, this is one of the most wearable vintage of my little collection! for 30 and up, for casual and formal situation, for fall, winter and early spring. performance is average, good projection in the first hour. a statement of class and force! dopo una lunga ricerca finalmente ho trovato lagerfeld photo nella sua formula originale. ottimo fougere, più moderno rispetto ad altri della stessa epoca. chris di scentland aveva ragione, questo è un grande profumo! scent-9 longevity-7 sillage-7,5 uniqueness-8,5 versatility-7,5 compliment factor-7,5 back up bottle? yes presentation-7,5 my vote-9 in one word- statement alternative- givenchy xeryous

I would like to make a grand statement before I get to my review: the fact that, in 2020, this fragrance was released 30 years ago and has merely 60 or so reviews on here is one of the greatest atrocities in all of perfumery. And I’ve watched YouTube reviewers and I’ve seen internet articles about men’s fragrances never see this mentioned. Even I, someone who just now recently discovered this classic fragrance cannot believe it. And the fragrance doesn’t smell like it was released yesterday. It has a “young man wise beyond his years” smell to me. Looking at the notes, there is quite a lot to unpack here. But for me it is a balsamic citrus floral scent- perhaps leaning a bit toward aftershave. But it’s good. So good. I think it belongs at or near the top of men’s fragrances from the 90s. A must own if you are over 35 in my opinion. SYL PS- Since this one can be hard to come by these days, there are many fragrance oils that do a great impression. They can be had for $10 or less depending on where you order from.

Photo de Lagerfeld is an aromatic, woody, herbal and floral fragrance. In its opening a floral, herbal and slightly citric and aldehydic aroma is appreciated, in this phase its aroma reminds me of some classic soap, it also provides a mossy and woody sensation, for this reason this fragrance feels like the style of the 80s, to Although it was released in 1990. As time pass, the herbal notes decrease, but the floral notes remain, where lavender and carnation predominate, the latter widely used in eighties fragrances. This fragrance could be used at any time of the year, for office work or casual situations, as it provides a feeling of cleanliness. In longevity it reaches about 8 hours, being noticeable the first hour and then it goes down close to the skin. If you like green, floral, quasi-fougere, eighties-style fragrances, I recommend buying it blind.

My dad wore this fragrance, and I've bought myself a couple 5ml bottles because I fear that if I didn't then I might never smell it again. I wish so desperately that Lagerfeld Photo would come back to the market- this is the first fragrance I had ever smelled and my dad wore it daily before they discontinued it. He still has a big bottle but he never wears it now because he knows it can't be replaced. Masculine and fresh, I remember hugging my father after a day at work and I could still smell it off of his dress shirt. When I wanted to get into fragrances as a young teen he gave me his bottle of Lagerfeld Classic but it is not similar to Photo at all. Please please PLEASE can somebody PLEASE make a clone of Lagerfeld Photo??? I have a bottle of Club De Nuit Urban Man Elixir and the vibes are a bit similar, but still a very different fragrance.

BEWARE, Photo (together with vintage Versace L'Homme) is a scent that is the most sensible of all scents, it turns by itself even in good conditions! Sometimes when it's turned, it doesn't stink, but transforms into meh green water, so @oceansoflorewi has tried turned one for sure, because this scent is all but meh! If you don't know how it originally smells, you can be easily deceived by buying a turned one thinking it suppose to smell like that, no, it's one of the best scents ever, nothing smells even remotely like this, there is no similar smelling scent, it's so special that it tickles the nose physically. Don't buy this one, and it's expensive, if you have no assurance that it hasn't turned, the seller must know how it originally smells and he needs to test it and confirm it's good before you buy!

The hotter you get, the more animalic this scent becomes, but it's a beautiful seduction and never gets into that cloying arena like the Wilderbeast of Joop! It's like it starts off as a man wearing a crumpled linen shirt and arty black trousers, taking arty photos in black and white... and as the photo session progresses, the model is suddenly noticing the photographer is smelling as sexy as hell and she wants him, he's creative, he's intelligent, he's fresh but soo grounded and funny... she wants to get closer... That's Photo... A fabulous, often overlooked gem (and yes... I sometimes tumble with it myself, it's quite interesting on a woman's skin... and men are attracted to it!).

I got this fragrance for $19 Aus ($15 US for 125mL). Personally, I don't understand the "this scent is outdated" sort of comments. If a fragrance is good it is good. To me this is somewhat reminiscent of Gentleman by Givenchy, but sweeter and a bit flowery. It has a fougere-like start - a bit soapy like Paco Rabanne, but this subsides and the woody notes emerge. When I say it is similar to Gentleman, it is probably the patchouli that makes me connect these two. I am fond of patchouli and it is quite clear in both. It does not last anywhere near as long as Gentleman, but still lasts reasonably well.

So sad I have to pay $150, and it is not even the original bottle with the neon green "Photo" labelling on it. I will just have to enjoy every last drop of my half full bottle! Even more sad is that they discontinued this fragrance, as this will forever be my number 1 favorite fragrance. Perfect balance between mature and young, office and club, this is one versatile powerhouse. Fresh, Spicy, Floral, and Aldehydic, everything blends so very well, this thing stands on its own legs all the way through without losing steam. A damn shame and tragedy this gem had to go...

This is in my opinion Lagerfeld's best men scent it has that deep freshness like other fragrances of that time but with a strong sense of masculinity running through it.It has that old school aftershave vibe to it like Gillette aftershave gel but photo is much more dense and complex.To me its like smelling the epitome of cleanliness and freshness without feeling drab and monotone like so many scents these days but I think it would be insulting to reduce photo to just another freshie its a wave of refreshment but with some warm sexiness in the back.

This is fantastic . LAGERFELD PHOTO is one of the best classic/modern balanced scents that I've come across. Quality work has gone into this fragrance. A true bridge between the old and new. It has a very unique leathery/aldehyde/freshness, with a touch of cool sweetness... this is the best. Well done, Lagerfeld... take a bow. --------------------------------------------- SILLAGE: moderate LONGEVITY: moderate SCENT: fresh/cool/dark BOTTLE: pendant-style/minimal PRICE: good OVERALL: 9.5/10 ---------------------------------------------

My fave from the '90s. Looked for years for something with the same DNA. 'Similar' recommendations never had that X factor that reminds you of something, despite similar notes or categories. Just got a sample of Parfums de Marly Percival and lo, there it is. Not exactly the same but something distinctly similar to what I liked with Photo. (The next closest is a beard oil called Flame by the Hairy Man Co, a small startup in Australia! Not quite the same but again one sniff and there it is).

My very first cologne at 18, I've always loved Photo. It's the kind of fragrance that I don't care if the people hate it, I love it and I will wear it no matter what. I'm eager to buy a bottle, but it's way too expensive nowadays and I won't take a chance to be scammed. Beside that, it's been a while and I don't know how it ages. I hope some clones of Photo appear soon. I would sacrifice all the creed aventus clones to the arabs Kingpins for Photo to resuscitate.

Very special juice to me! I wear it since 1991. The new and old formulations are fairly close to each other, no major damage done to the Coty version. Still very sexy, masculine. Great aldehydes, mandarin, lavender and leather which all is a bit soapy and has a dark yet bright vibe. Very good, strong sillage & projection and brilliant longevity even with the new version. One of the most complimented fragrances in my collection.

I love this one. A retro soapy, clean fresh "one-noted" scent. Staying power and sillage good. The drydown is a little powdery but stays soapy. Bought this as a blind buy and really glad I did. I have tried the original but definitely prefer this one. I wouldn't say it was an oriental though - more like an aromatic. Photo is one of the soapiest of scents. It's pretty unique and it's got a lovely sillage - now in my top 10!

The moment is a bit sad, considering that KL just passed away. Photo was one of my first frags I had bought, when I started to earn money and stuff. Even today, after reformulations, I find it unique, original, and, in a positive way, disturbing. Carnation and aldehydes (C-12?) make this one original, chemical (in a good way) and creepy flowery (in a good way). There's nothing like this. Period.

One of the best scents ever and my favorite, it's green, but not as you may think, it's neon green and dark at the same time, many notes blended seamlessly, it tingles the nose the perfect way, unique and versatile, very professional in the sense of mastering the skill, for people who know what they are doing. Dated? On the contrary, it's even futuristic! 11/10

Its more than a fragrance to me. Its many memories of times gone by and at the same time also very comforting and pleasing. Very long lasting with just a 3-4 sprays which makes it linger around and greet U every know and then. Superb aldehydes, mandarin, lavender and moss. A unique blend & a huge compliment getter. Eternal love!

Exceptional aromatic with a crisp lemon and bergamot and a floral/mossy heart. Dark, brooding yet radiates a herbal metallic kind of energy. I adore it. Amazing for a cool day or night out. My batch doesn't have good longevity though and I have to go for 7-8 sprays for 4-5 hours worth of moderate sillage.

bought as one of my first fragrances on a business trip to germany in munich (1992). it was heaven and i'm pretty sure that photo is one of the 10 best fragrances in the world. i would love to smell it once more again. 11/10. soundtrack: richard wagner - tristan und isolde prelude, solti version.

Today I bought it.it's really nice classic it easily situatend among my favorite old schools. All I get from first ompression is floral soapy citrus openning which lavender live beside oakmoss and aldehydic vibes that is completely floral ,there is flowers in it though . Nice love it.

I love this fragrance. It’s so clean and soapy, but also a bit spicy and has depth to it. I have the original green lettering bottle. Amazing atomizer lol. It puts out a lot of juice. I love not smelling like 20 other guys in any given area. This allows me that privilege.

My then fiance used to wear it circa 1994- I knew next to nothing about fragrances then, but looking at the notes I can clearly see now why it appealed to me so much- tonka bean and patchouli in base. That says it all. For me it is evergreen classic.

Do yourself a favor and DO NOT BUY the current re-formulated bottle which is WAY WAY different and weaker than the original. You won't be doing any justice to the original!!! If you find the original then congrats you have made it to heaven.

I owned the original in the 90s and now own the current formulation. To be honest, i can't tell the diference, i'm sure the formula has changed over the years but smells the same to me. it's like to watch a movie on 1080i or 1080p!

I adore this perfume. reminds me of certain Arabic bakhoor rocks(frankincense) before you burn them. Its strong and lasts long and can be found at great prices. Wont be for everyone, but its my cup of tea. 8.5/10

Legend, sublime, long lasting, perfect smell, perfect projection, perfect longevity. Very hard to find :-(

Great classic scent of the 90's. A beautiful unique composition for a confident personality.

photo one of the top 10 perfumes produced by the perfume industry.

It was my signature scent. I hope they will bring it back!

Rest in peace Karl! Thanks for this great scent!

I have a bottle for sale 125 ml sealed us only

I successfully managed to locate Karl Lagerfeld's Photo on eBay, securing a prized addition to my fragrance collection. It was a rewarding endeavor to source this fragrance, and I eagerly anticipate the aromatic journey it will unfold. Acquiring a sought-after scent like Photo adds a touch of excitement to my fragrance exploration, and I look forward to experiencing its unique olfactory profile. Now, armed with both Photo and Christopher DiCas Le Parfum, I'm poised for a comparative exploration. The intriguing similarity I've heard about between these two fragrances has piqued my curiosity, and I'm eager to discern the nuances and contrasts between them. This side-by-side comparison promises to be an enlightening olfactory journey, allowing me to appreciate the distinct characteristics of each scent and, ultimately, make a more informed assessment of their individual merits. The prospect of uncovering subtle differences and similarities adds an extra layer of fascination to my fragrance exploration. In my experience with Karl Lagerfeld's Photo, I embarked on an interesting olfactory journey. Despite its classic blend of aldehydes, lavender, lemon, bergamot, mandarin orange, and galbanum creating a bright and invigorating introduction, I find myself leaning towards Christopher DiCas Le Parfum for its distinct strength and character, especially in the top notes. Photo's heart, featuring carnation, jasmine, rose, coriander, honey, cyclamen, and caraway, introduces depth and complexity. However, when compared to the rich and compelling middle notes of Christopher DiCas Le Parfum, Photo's bouquet appears comparatively softer and less robust. The base notes of Oakmoss, Benzoin, Musk, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Amber, Guaiac Wood, Cedar, and Tonka Bean contribute to Photo's warm and grounding finish. While these elements add depth to the fragrance, the overall impression seems milder compared to the bold and well-defined base of Christopher DiCas Le Parfum. In conclusion, while Photo by Karl Lagerfeld is well-crafted and timeless, my preference aligns more closely with Christopher DiCas Le Parfum due to its stronger top notes, richer midsection, and bolder base. Fragrance is a deeply personal choice, and in this case, Christopher DiCas Le Parfum better aligns with my desired olfactory experience. Engaging in the realm of fragrances, my discovery of Karl Lagerfeld's Photo marked an intriguing chapter. Despite hearing about its supposed resemblance to Christopher DiCas Le Parfum and subsequently acquiring Photo, my experience led me to an unexpected preference. Photo's aldehydes, lavender, lemon, bergamot, mandarin orange, and galbanum create a refreshing and invigorating opening, yet it was overshadowed by the strength of Christopher DiCas Le Parfum, especially in its top notes. The transition to Photo's heart, featuring carnation, jasmine, rose, coriander, honey, cyclamen, and caraway, introduced a floral and spicy medley. However, it paled in comparison to the rich and compelling midsection of Christopher DiCas Le Parfum. As Photo concluded with base notes of Oakmoss, Benzoin, Musk, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Amber, Guaiac Wood, Cedar, and Tonka Bean, the warm and grounding finale felt milder compared to the robust base of Christopher DiCas Le Parfum. This unexpected divergence emphasized the personal nature of fragrance choices. In reflection, the notion of Photo being similar to Christopher DiCas intrigued me enough to make a purchase. However, the aromatic journey unfolded in a way that led me to appreciate the distinctive strength and character of Christopher DiCas Le Parfum, making it my preferred choice in this olfactory exploration.

This is fantastic. I wore 800 ml of this perfume back in the nineties. Contrarily to what other members said, I do not think there is that big a difference between the new reformulation and the original although I keep wearing the original, these days quite rarely. Maybe I will start wearing it gain to throw me back in time. As for the original, sillage is huge, even after hours wearing it. The aldehyds are very strong, but so is jasmine, sandalwood, amber and benzoin. The smell is a bit strange, but with a very strong character. It smells very chemical, which I love, like a weapon. It is very much the smell of adehyds, but it is unique and very special. It is really soapy, fresh and ethereal. Although I do not like Chanel no5 this is like the male version of that one, and I do like this one. It is the male perfume I know with the biggest sillage,really fantastic. So far I have been speaking about the original version. But I actually think they did a very good job with the reformulation: it is still basically the same scent, but more wearable these days, the aldehyds are not as strong, nor is the benzoine, is smells also less woody, it is softer and sweeter, I actually think more pleasant, although with not so strong a character. I do prefer the original by far though, because it is more powerfull, smells more complex and I find it literally intoxicating. It is an endless source of emotion, and gives me a feeling of being lifted in the air, it does literally lift my mood. It also makes me a bit dizzy and my head warm, like a drug or alcohol. Certain aldehydic perfumes do have that effect on me, which I love, and this is one of them. Rumeur does the same to me.

In my younger days, I had a tendency to squirrel away fragrances I liked. At the time I did it when I had the extra brass in pocket, because I wanted to make sure I didn't run out. But I don't apply with a garden hose, and, as a result, I have two of the first-edition big boys sitting in the collection that have sat untouched lo these many years. About a week ago, right before bed, I figured I'd revisit my youth, and broke one open. And I forgot that golden rule. "With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility." Squitch. Mmmmm. I'm all tingly. Squitch Squitch. Squitch. So - that's what "Aldehydes" smell like. Fizzing off me like radioactive ginger ale, the effect was electric buzzy. Off to bed, immersed in liquid electricity. About two hours later, I was up again. Parfum du Living Dead had crawled up my nostrils and dried out my sinuses to an arid state. One Squitch too many. No. Definitely two too many. Old Photo IS liquid electricity; it practically crackles on your skin and blasts off into the air around you like an invisible sun. But Lordy, gentlemen - be forewarned: treat it gently, with the respect due a beast that can kill you in your sleep. One spray will do it - two is pushing the envelope. Four turns you into Marie Curie huffing radium out of a paper sack. "With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility." Squitch responsibly.

Photo was launched in 1990 and became a real hit at the time. If you like the style of perfumes with a “manly scent” (as some like to say), rich in spices and woods, this cologne will please you without a doubt. In my point of view, Photo is a wonderful male scent! The mix of aldehydes – which makes the notes stronger and intenser – together with the other notes, make this perfume a real instant impact, exactly like a photo, which keeps the moment lived forever. The composition of the fragrance brings top notes of bergamot, lavender, galbanum, lemon, artemisia, and mandarin orange. But make no mistake, it has nothing citrusy. These notes only bring lightness to the strong and scary aspect of the fragrance. The body is a floral delight composed of jasmine, geranium, rose, honey, carnation, and pepper. At the base, the rich guaiac woody, oakmoss, cedar, amber, tonka bean, leather, and sandalwood. The bottle of Photo is no big deal, but there was a need to maintain the visual identity of its predecessor (Lagerfeld Classic) and, at least, the black color gives a darker tone and is equivalent to what the fragrance represents. There is not much to say. It is an excellent perfume, of projection and durability above expectations.

Funny how I can relate to an early review for this fragrance but today I am a happy owner of an original batch of Lagerfeld Photo. The first time I smelled this rare gem was when I was a kid looking through a Playboy magazine! It contained one of those scratch and sniff pages that was advertising this cologne. Being a kid I did not have much knowledge about what I was smelling but I liked it and the nude girls on the magazine just made me think being an adult was gonna be so cool! I was almost right. Photo for me smells like grassy meadows after a rainy day with some lemon juice to top it off. Some florals and wood is being picked up on the dry down but its nice. It does not have that WOW factor but its unique. If I were a wood elf I would wear this daily to fit my enviorment and attract other female wood elves. Since I am not an elf I would wear this on warm nights for better results on my skin. Is it me or does Photo have a hint of Passion for Men by Elizabeth Taylor? Now as for the new formula I can not say how that smells since I have never tried it. But if you find the old version give it a shot its still packs a punch. Plus it reminds me of the days when being a kid was fun! 8 out of 10 (1990's Version)

A friend of mine who is a formidable photographer once told me that a rainy or overcast day are the ideal environs in which to capture the best photographs. Coincidentally, the fittingly named Lagerfeld Photo also excels during these times. The vintage I have (figuring it's old as it has the chartreuse digital typography on it), starts out quite aggressively with a slap of lavender, galbanum and licorice. Applying this in cool, damp weather is bliss. I implore the wearer to let the juice settle in for at least half an hour and then to walk outside and take in a deep breath through the nose. Whether the rain hasn't started , is still coming down or has just wrapped up, the aldehydic blast, grounded by green soap, dry florals and comforting honey and tonka will invigorate and inspire you like a plate of Bolivian being passed around at a Mapplethorpe shoot. I've got three miniscule shaker bottles of Photo and as others have said, this is prone to turning as one of the bottles is getting "angry". That being said, I'm consuming that one first and it will mellow after the vapors come away from it. 6.7/10 on this.

And there i was today in the early morning i just bought a big 125 ml bottle. Since i was a teenager in 1991 i wanted this frag. But i thought i was too young to wear it...and the price was expensive back in the days. Then it was gone out of my sight for a whole 2 decades.. Now in 2011 im a owner of this spicy charming longneck. Im now wearing in cold weather a long-with-big-rabbit-fur-collar-jacket and i sprayed it in the collar also... I put it on in the car heading for work... it was a great experience! i still love its spicy and tempting notes its charming as always (like K1 said) and very very wearable .. not outdated as many say here its a true unique frag. Even got a compliment from a youngter today. I felt comfortable today wearing it and i like it!

Update: After wearing this a few times, I really enjoyed it and purchased a 100 ml aftershave (current formulation with blue lettering). It's a solid all-around fragrance with a dry-down reminiscent of an eighties cologne. I pick up a subtle similarity to the original D&G Pour Homme. I find it very similar to the previous formulation with white lettering. I just purchased a decant of the formulation in the black bottle with white lettering (EDT). I like it. It has a fresh bar soap smell with moderate sillage and longevity. One person compared it to Irish Spring soap. This as a solid performer. Certainly NOT worth the high prices being asked. I would be a buyer at about 1/3 the current price. I suggest sampling before pulling the trigger on a full bottle.

Just received my .85 ounce/15 ml bottle of EDT by Parfums International LTD. Lagerfeld Photo is good; nothing special here, though, and I thought/wanted it to be based on the positive reviews and its high price. It's mainly a clean, slightly creamy, soapy fragrance, and performance is average. Bottom line: try it, but I believe there are similarly categorized vintage 80s/90s scents out there that are much better, way less expensive, and easier to find (e.g., Halston 1-12, YSL Jazz, etc.).

Subtle and classy. Familiar, in that way it resembles other pleasant soapy masculines of its time. Stands out in how it is well built, quite smooth from start to finish, nothing harsh or edgy to my nose. I don’t get the strength or longevity others notice, but it’s still quite nice.

Update #2. This is a high quality, gentlemanly fragrance. A smooth fougere and very strong for an aftershave. I bought every 30ml bottle (blue lettering) that I could find. This is a three season daytime/night time fragrance.

This is the early 90's in bottle to me. As I remember did the early ones have better longevity, not great but.. at least better then one I have now.

very good perfume, I have 21 years and use it, the smell is very nice, has good projection and longevity. I get many compliments when I use it.

Musk and florals dominate in a fragrance that I guess smells decent to others, but to me smells very pedestrian and uninspired. It's like someone phoned in a scent that reminds them of men in black leather. This was gifted to me twenty years ago and I still have the full bottle and never use it. It's really not the worst fragrance ever, but man there is better stuff out there than this. 3/10 stinky musk, aldehydes, and other overdone notes. If you are going to wear, know that it can fill a room when oversprayed. Two spritzes should do it to smell very strongly like an old man.

Unless my bottle was bad, this was another smells-like-nothing situation. I thought I wasn't smelling anything at first and then realized it was just really light and dry lavender. It smelled like the cheapest generic dryer sheets I had ever encountered. And this was OK for a while...after using more sprays than usual, it actually imparted a smell to me for a while, but that just degraded into a subtle but annoying "you got crap from the dryer sheets on your hands and it's going to be there for a while" smell.

I wore this one in high school, and really enjoyed it then. Fast forward twenty years, and it's just not the same. I don't know if it's a new formulation or my maturing, but, it give me a headache now. A little too much lavender and leather for my taste. Got a sampler and would not invest in the full-size.

I smelled it today, it smells the the wax in the church. Really, really cheap, old-fashioned and opposite of sexy. After smelling it, even the toilet blocks were a better decision for fragrance. Despite of the low price, do not waste any money on that

This one smells as if it it was made to mark the end of an era - it's so typically old school that it's surpring it was released as late as 1990. **

Pissy-lemony-aldehydic. Not good. I'm fairly sure what I smelled was the reformulated stuff.