Brett Monaghan was born in Sydney, Australia. He studied economics at university at which time he also took a serious interest in photography. After graduating, he travelled through Europe by road for a year, extensively photographing its peoples and cultures.

On his return to Sydney, Brett  worked as an economist for several years, but his experience of Europe had changed him. After not to long he departed the business world to follow his passion for photography.

Brett initially pursued portraiture. He had several solo exhibitions before being commissioned to shoot portraits and then fashion reportage for the prestigious Australian Style magazine.

Brett has worked on assignment for publications including Vogue, GQ, FHM Collections and Conde Naste Traveller .