By the end of the 1960s, Hamilton’s work had a recognizable style. His photographs were in demand by other magazines such as Realites, Twen and Photo.

Hamilton began photographing commercially while still employed, and the dreamy, grainy style of his images quickly brought him success. Hamilton soon returned to Paris and there became the art director of Printemps, the city’s largest department store. After becoming known and successful, he was hired away from ELLE by Queen magazine in London as art director. At age 20, he moved to Paris, where he worked as graphic designer for Peter Knapp of ELLE magazine. His artistic skills began to emerge during a job at an architect’s office. After the war, Hamilton returned to London and finished school before moving to France where he has lived ever since. As an evacuee, he spent some time in the countryside of Dorset, which inspired his work. His schooling was interrupted by World War II. David Hamilton (1933–2016) was a British photographer, who grew up in London.