User:Alex Telfer Photography/sandbox

Born: 23.12.69

Known for: Advertising, Editorial, Fine Art Photographer and Director

Life and Work
Born at the very end of 1969 in Dipton, Co Durham, Alex Telfer is an Advertising, Editorial and Fine Art photographer. Born and raised in the industrial North East of England. Alex’s great passions became Motocross and Art. However, the promising Motocross career was abruptly halted at the age of 16 following a serious injury. This event would prove to be a pivotal moment in the redirection of his career as he began to focus more heavily on Art and Design.

After initially intending to pursue a career as an Art Director or Graphic Designer, Alex was introduced to photography and he became instantly captivated from the very first experience. At the age of 18, Alex proceeded head long into the unknown world of professional photography. After graduating from Art School, Alex assisted in London before returning to his native North East to set up his own business in 1992.

Alex went on to cut his teeth in the competitive world of advertising photography, focusing heavily on the more creative side of things. It was his great love of photography that continued to inform the many creative collaborations that developed with the advertising agencies of Newcastle at the time. It became a great grounding in developing his photographic skills and gave him the springboard to realise his ambitions. It was at this time that Alex secured his first inclusion into the D+AD Annual.

The following years saw Alex begin to shoot for agencies in Edinburgh, Manchester and Leeds and this pattern continued along with his ever-growing enthusiasm for photography. In 2003 Alex purchased a semi derelict 19th Century Church in Byker, Newcastle and set about renovating the building into Kingsland Church Studios. The Interior design was all carried out by himself and is home to a gallery, which regularly showcases Alex’s new work. He also developed a part of the church into a Creative Hub for other small creative ventures to rent studio space.

The completion of the church cemented Alex’s creative reputation and the following years saw him acquire representation in London, New York and Paris.

In 2009, Alex was honoured with number one status in Campaign magazine’s Top 10 Photographers. It was at this time that Alex’s skills as a Commercials Director became much sought after with films for Guinness, Visa, Baxter’s Soup and Fred Perry to name a few.

Alex has always championed his decision to remain based in his native North East even when it may have made sense to relocate to London. However, he firmly believes that remaining in the North East has enabled him to retain great working relationships with Advertising agencies throughout the UK and not solely in London.

Recent commissions include campaigns for Lurpak ( Wieden + Kennedy), Canal+ (BETC Paris), Guinness (AMVBBDO), easyjet (VCCP), Visa (Saatchi & Saatchi), Network Rail ( M+C Saatchi) , RNLI ( Leo Burnett), Martini, Fred Perry, BBC and Nike ( Wieden + Kennedy).

Much of Alex’s work has become synonymous with the Pharmaceutical Advertising sector.

Editorially, Alex is commissioned by the Observer, The Guardian, The Sunday Times and The New York Times.

In 2017, Alex’s passion for stills photography and moving image is ever growing and this is highlighted by his most successful year ever for award honours.

The 15th International Photography Awards (IPA) named Alex Telfer as International Photographer of the Year and Advertising Photographer of the Year.

Personal Life
Alex lives in rural Northumberland with his wife Helen and son, James.

Recent Publications and Awards
2017 INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS - ADVERTISING PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

2017 ASSOCIATION OF PHOTOGRAPHERS – ADVERTISING, BEST IN CATEGORY

2017 COMMUNICATION ARTS PHOTOGRAPHY ANNUAL

2017 AMERICAN PHOTOGRAPHY ANNUAL

2017 CREATIVE REVIEW PHOTOGRAPHY ANNUAL

LUERZER’S BEST 200 PHOTOGRAPHERS WORLDWIDE

2016 INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS - EDITORIAL PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

2016 INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS - WAR & CONFLICT WINNER

2016 CREATIVE REVIEW PHOTOGRAPHY ANNUAL 'BEST IN BOOK'

2016 PDN PHOTOGRAPHY ANNUAL

2016 ASSOCIATION OF PHOTOGRAPHERS WINNER

2016 COMMUNICATION ARTS PHOTOGRAPHY ANNUAL ‘AWARD OF EXCELLENCE’

2016 AMERICAN PHOTOGRAPHY ANNUAL

CAMPAIGN’S NO 1 PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

CAMPAIGN’S GOLD AWARD ‘MOST POWERFUL IMAGE

-   American Photography 29 Annual 2013

-   Communication Arts Photography Annual 2013

-   Luerzer’s Archive Top 200 Photographers Worldwide 2014

-   Creative Review Photography Annual 2013

-   Association of Photographers Awards – Best in Category 2013

-   International Photography Awards – Category Winner 2013

-   The Roses Creative Advertising Awards 2013: -   The Grand Prix Winner The Chairman’s Award 4 x Gold Awards 2 x Silver Awards 2 x Bronze Awards

-   Kinsale Sharks Advertising Awards 2013

-   ICAD Advertising Awards – Winner 2013

-   Scottish Advertising Awards – Winner 2013

-   Campaign Photo Awards – Most Powerful Image

-   Campaign No.1 Photographer of the year

-   Graphis Photographers Awards

-   American One Show Annual

-   IPA Healthcare Professional Award

-   Various inclusions in Design and Art Directors Annual

-   European Epica Awards

-   Design Week Awards

-   New York Festivals

Books
100% Natural

The Travellers

St Mary’s Asylum

Berbers of Morocco

The Woodland Dwellers

Selected Exhibitions
Alex has exhibited work throughout Europe and America:

Arles Photography Festival 2016

Association of Photographers – Best of Show exhibition inclusion

IPA Best 25 of the last four years – touring exhibition – USA

IPA touring exhibition – Best of Show

IPA touring exhibition – Los Angeles

Coney Island – Photographic Institute Newcastle Upon Tyne. UK

Self published book, 100% Natural, which accompanied the aforementioned exhibition.

Faces, Vorfart, Stuttgart, Germany

Fotosummer, Byker homeless, Stuttgart, Germany

North Light, Eigen Art Gallery. Germany

Full Circle, The Biscuit Factory. UK

100% Natural, The Biscuit Factory. UK