Martin Parr CBE

Born in Epsom in 1952, Martin Parr developed a keen interest in photography from the age of 14. He studied photography at Manchester Polytechnic (1970-73) and joined Magnum Photographic Cooperative as a full member in 1994, becoming the president of Magnum Photos between 2013 – 2017. In June 2021, Martin Parr was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s birthday honours.

He was Professor of Photography at The University of Wales (2004-12), a visiting Professor at the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland and was appointed a 0.2FTE Professor of Photography there in 2013. He holds an honorary degree from the University of South Wales (2023).

Martin Parr has published over 120 books of his own work and edited another 30. With a keen interest in filmmaking, he also uses his photography within different genres, such as fashion and advertising. Martin Parr has worked on numerous photographic projects, developing an international reputation for his innovative imagery, his oblique approach to social documentary, and his input to photographic culture within the UK and abroad.

His work as a curator includes the New York Photo Festival (2008) and the Brighton Photo Biennial (2010).

Martin Parr was awarded the Erich Salomon Prize in 2006, the Sony World Photography Award for Outstanding Contribution to Photography in April 2017, and in 2024 he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from La Gacilly-Baden Photo Festival.

Photo: Raph_PH, CC BY 2.0