Kiino Villand is a Dublin, Ireland-based photographer of Estonian descent best known for his portraits of esteemed personalities from the worlds of film, music, fashion, sports, art and culture. Having begun working in New York and San Francisco, the majority of his career involved shooting primarily in Los Angeles while also traveling internationally. With Ireland as his current base, his editorial, fashion and advertising work has appeared in publications such as Vanity Fair, Emmy Magazine, V-Life (Variety), i-D, Juxtapoz, Grand Royal, Spin, Entertainment Weekly, Elle, W, Wired, among others. His client list also includes Ogilvy & Mather/LA, Saatchi & Saatchi/Singapore, Simon & Schuster, Activision (for Guitar Hero), Virgin Mobile, Interscope, Arista, Labatt’s and DC Shoe Co./DC Girl.
In 2022, his work was included in a long-term exhibition at the Estonian Sports and Olympics Museum (Eesti Spordi- ja Olümpiamuuseum). It featured his images of Olympic skateboarder Sky Brown and legendary pro skater Tony Hawk.
Kiino’s subjects range from everyday people to those recognized in the arts, entertainment and cultural sphere. They include luminaries such as Kerry Washington, Debbie Allen, David Lynch, Chris Rock, Danny Boyle, Chris Cunningham, Monica Bellucci, Anthony Kiedis, Naomi Campbell, Kyra Sedgwick, Kevin Bacon, Beastie Boys, Futura 2000, Micheal Phelps, Justin Pierce, Shepard Fairey, Jared Leto, Thom Yorke, Spike Jonze and Vanessa Traina to name, well...several.
Collectors of his photography include Eddie Cruz (Stussy/Union/Undefeated), Peter Morton (founder, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino) and Sal Masekela (ESPN/E! Networks). Kiino has also had the distinct honor of receiving a prestigious Gold Star awarded by juror John C. Reilly in the first George’s Gallery Photo Derby (created by X-Large founder Eli Bonerz).
His directorial debut was a documentary short on drummer Jose Medeles of The Breeders entitled Meaning and Rhetoric, The Sonic Explorations of Jose Medeles. He continues to direct music videos, fashion films and documentary projects.