The world of photography has many aspects, from landscape photography to fashion photography to documentary photography to portrait photography and the list goes on.

Even more than the types of photography are the photographers that are entering the field, and many of them being men. So in a sea of male photographers, we thought celebrating a collection of 10 inspiring female photographers who have mastered their art and aided in not only pursuing their dream of the art, but also pushing the barriers of what is expected and what is possible through photography.

By exploring the work of talented photographers it can you find different ways to create your own images and enjoy photography even further.

Our top 10 inspiring female photographers are:

1. Anne Geddes
Born on a beef cattle property in North Queensland, Anne Geddes was one of four children. Anne began her interest in photography after pouring over magazines like National Geographic and Life, and later got a taste of photography at the age of 17 when she traveled abroad with work. After being married, Anne began her portrait photography portfolio and got her first photograph published in New Zealand later in 1988.

Anne Geddes is known for her images with children and infants and has had her images published in 83 countries.

2. Tracey Moffatt

Tracy Moffatt was born in Queensland and is an artist of many different mediums. Tracy is most famously known for her artistic films and uses that same visual eye to "makes" photographs.

Tracy states that she "makes" photos instead of taking them because she feels less skilled with the mechanics of using a camera, but she has the eye to know what kind of images she wishes to create and is able to create that image through tableaus and props.

3. Destiny Deacon
Destiny Deacon is an Aboriginal and self taught photographer living in Brunswick, Victoria. Unlike many of other photographers that have become digital, Destiny utilises poloroids in which she then transfers to laser, bubble or light jet prints.

Destiny's pieces include friends and family members, along with baby dolls that she has rescued. When asked about the significance of the baby dolls Destiny responded by stating: "I think the dolls represent us in some way…you can put your spirit into them, but you can't make a doll smile. That's the trick with photography, to create a mood for the doll and say something for us."

4. Margaret Bourke-White
Margaret Bourke-White was born in the Bronx, New York and gained her interest in photography through her father whom she would help develop images in the bathtub.

After graduating college from Cornell University, she moved to Cleveland to take architecture images and founded the Bourke-White studios out of her apartment. Her photographs eventually gained the attention of Henry R. Luce who was in the beginning stages of creating a new weekly publication called Time.

It was later during her photography jobs with Fortune and Life magazine that Margaret became a big photography force as she became one of the only photographers allowed in dangerous war zone areas of World War II.

5. Katrin Koenning
The renouned Amnesty International photographer, Katrin Koenning is a documentary photographer based in Melbourne. Katrin's photos depict the everyday lives of people, in a way that brings out the beauty in the ordinary.

Katrin has had her pieces showcased around the world in countries like Spain, the UK and the US.

6. Annie Leibovitz
Annie Leibovitz is an American photographer, known for her celebrity images and time as the Rolling Stones photographer. Annie initially moved to San Francisco to pursue painting, but changed to photography after a trip to Japan with her mum.

In 1970 Annie made a huge break through after approaching Jann Wenner, the editing founder of Rolling Stones Magazine, with an opportunity to shoot for the magazine. Her assignment for the magazine was a photo shoot with the famous Beatle, John Lennon. Annie then earned her keep at Rolling Stones and became the chief photographer two years later.

In her most recent book, A Photographer's Life: 1990-2005, Annie includes both her famous celebrity images, but also images of her family and friends because, as she told Time Magazine, "this is one life, and the personal pictures and the assignment work are all part of it."

7. Corinne Day
British photographer, Corrine Day, is self taught fashion and documentary photographer. Corrine began her fashion career as a catalogue model in Los Angeles, but decided that she was not well suited for the career of a model so she then turned behind the camera.

After moving back to England where she began working with FACE magazine where she is said to have kick started to the career of a 16 years old Kate Moss. Corrine's most famous pieces were done shortly there after that when she photographed Moss again for Vogue with a raw documentary feel that in essence began the nineties photography style of grungy, heroin chic.

8. Ellen von Unwerth
Ellen von Unwerth began her career as a fashion supermodel for ten years, before entering the world of fashion photography. Ellen made her first break through when she was able to photograph Claudia Schiffer for Guess? Jeans in the early 1990's.

Ellen's photography is currently known and distinctive for its feminine sexuality, and she has even branched out past photography to other the medium of film. Her film experience includes, commercials for Baccardi and music videos for Duran Duran and Christina Aguilera.

9. Angela Tarlinton
Angela Tarlinton currently resides in Tathra on the New South Wales far south coast. Angela's current pieces are entitled "Adolescence." Adolescence is a portrayal of young boys as they transform from childhood to their teenage years.

As stated on Angela's website, "Adolescence is a state of awkward transition." Her portrait photographs capture the raw feelings of these young boys, on their beachside havens as they experience this transition.

10. Claire Martin
Claire Martin is a photojournalist gaining much attention for her depiction of poverty and addiction. Claire initially began her career in social work, but later changed to photography when she realised that she could still bring about change from behind a lens.

Claire recently held an exhibition at the 2010 Festivals of Australia's Emerging Photojournalist.

Celebrating Women in Photography

These photographers are just a few of the many female photographers that are out there making a difference in how we are viewing the world. These ladies, through their dedication to their field of interest were able to transform their talents to careers and have been successful in creating images that speak more than a thousand words.