Sexual shoots were consensual, fashion photographer Terry Richardson says

Fashion photographer Terry Richardson has defended his famous sexual photo shoots by claiming it was all "consensual".

His spokesperson issued a statement after publisher Conde Nast International decided to drop the controversial photographer after years of allegations regarding his sexual conduct.

"Conde Nast would like to no longer work with the photographer Terry Richardson," the group’s executive vice president James Woolhouse said in a message to staff.

"Any shoots that have been commission(ed) or any shoots that have been completed but not yet published, should be killed and substituted with other material," he added.

"Please could you confirm that this policy will be actioned in your market effective immediately. Thank you for your support in this matter."

The message was first published by The Daily Telegraph and prompted a response from Richardson’s spokesman.

"Terry is disappointed to hear about this email especially because he has previously addressed these old stories," he said.

"He is an artist who has been known for his sexually explicit work so many of his professional interactions with subjects were sexual and explicit in nature but all of the subjects of his work participated consensually."

The 52-year-old photographer has pictured stars like Beyonce, Rihanna and Lady Gaga.

He has also directed videos for musicians including Miley Cyrus’ Wrecking Ball, in which she appears naked.

Richardson has addressed allegations in the past, telling the Huffington Post in 2014 that all models and musicians "were fully aware of the nature of the work".

He said: "As is typical with any project, everyone signed releases.

"I have never used an offer of work or a threat of rebuke to coerce someone into something that they did not want to do."

(c) Sky News 2017: Sexual shoots were consensual, fashion photographer Terry Richardson says