About Me
My good friend Chris Meredith penned this poem about me and my love for photography.
There roams a lens, capturing tales untold.
Mark Seymour, the seeker, with eyes keen,
A street photographer, his art unseen.
Through bustling avenues and quiet lanes,
He wanders, alert to life’s vibrant refrains.
His camera poised, ready to seize,
Moments fleeting, memories to appease.
In gritty alleyways and crowded squares,
He frames the essence of souls laid bare.
From laughter to sorrow, from joy to strife,
Mark’s lens reveals the tapestry of life.
He captures a child, lost in pure delight,
A couple’s embrace, tender and bright.
His shutter whispers secrets in the air,
Freezing time’s fragments with utmost care.
Each click tells a story, a fleeting glance,
A patchwork of humanity’s song and dance.
In faces weathered, emotions cascade,
A symphony of life, beautifully displayed.
With patience and skill, he crafts his art,
An observer, a chronicler from the start.
His images speak, they resonate and endure,
Transcending time, evoking emotions pure.
Mark Seymour, the poet of urban grace,
Unveils unseen beauty, a fleeting embrace.
Through his lens, we glimpse the world’s symphony,
Forever grateful for his street photography
Bio
I am a documentary photographer driven by a deep passion for capturing people in their native environments. My love for storytelling through images has taken me across the globe, from bustling cities to remote villages, where I seek to document the beauty, resilience, and authenticity of life as it unfolds naturally. Photography, for me, is about more than just images; it’s about connecting with people, understanding their stories, and sharing those stories with the world.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working as a Nikon Ambassador, a role that has allowed me to push the boundaries of my creativity and utilize some of the best photographic tools in the industry. Being part of the Nikon family has also provided opportunities to collaborate with and inspire other photographers, something that I found incredibly rewarding.
I’m honoured to have had my work published in National Geographic Magazine, an institution that has long been a beacon of excellence in the world of photography. Contributing to this esteemed publication has been a highlight of my career, as it aligns with my mission to explore and celebrate diverse cultures and landscapes. Additionally, my work has been recognised by The National Portrait Gallery, where my portrait of shoemaker Jimmy Choo is part of a collection that seeks to capture the essence of humanity.
Recognition from my peers is something I deeply value, so I was really proud to have received two fellowships from The Master Photographers Association for my documentary storytelling. These accolades were also awarded along with recognition from The Guild of Photographers and The Society of Professional Photographers, who further validated my commitment to the craft and motivated me to continue pushing my artistic boundaries in capturing people around the world in their own environments.
One of the most profound and personal projects of my career has been documenting my father’s battle with dementia. Over several years, I photographed his journey from the initial diagnosis to the final stages of his life. This project was not just about documenting an illness but about capturing the essence of my father’s spirit and the impact of his struggle on those who loved him. The final 20 images were published internationally, featured on Sky TV, and exhibited in London and Milan. This project remains the most meaningful work I’ve ever undertaken, and it deepened my belief in the power of photography to tell stories that resonate on a deeply human level.
As I continue my photographic journey, I remain driven by curiosity and a commitment to telling stories that connect us all, one frame at a time with my latest project being asked by Ed Khashi to contribute to VII photo agency on a project they are undertaking called 1 in 6.
AwardS
Some of my awards
- MPA (Master Photographers Association) European Wedding photographer of the year
- 3 x winner of The MPA UK Wedding Photographer of the Year, judged by Mario Acerboni
- MPA UK Wedding Photographer of the Year, Brides choice
- Nominated as one of the UK’s top ten wedding Photographers by GoHen
- Six Fearless Photographer Awards (amongst the most difficult to achieve in the UK)
- MPAc Editorial Photographer of the Year
- You and Your Wedding Photographer of the Year
- Various awards with WPJA (Wedding Photojournalist Association) including editorial choice
- Numerous awards with ISPWP (International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers)
Some of the career highlights
- Mark was the first photographer to gain an associate for his documentary wedding photography and reportage wedding photography with The Master Photographer Association (MPA).
- Chairman of The London Portrait group for 5 years, during which time Mark hosted events with photographic legends including Bob Carlos Clarke, Barry Lategan, John Swanell and John Stoddart. Whilst chairing the group Mark raised thousands of pounds for The Disabled Photographers Association.
- Approaching the end of Marks’s tenureship at The London Portrait Group he published a limited number of special edition books featuring the works of many of the amazing photographers who spoke at the group during his time as Chairman.
- As a Jewish wedding photographer, Mark is a regular speaker at MPA seminars providing an insight into his award-winning documentary-style wedding photography, reportage wedding photography and bridal wedding photography.
- Mark is privileged to have been working in partnership with Nikon UK for many years providing feedback on new ideas and products in the wedding photography market. In April 2013 Mark was asked by Nikon UK to be one of their six Ambassadors of Photography
- Shooting articles for National Geographic
- Tutoring for Light & Land
Publications
Some of the video’s about my work and TV featured articles
Articles published online
Portrait of Jimmy Choo at The National Portrait Gallery
http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw224824/Jimmy-Choo
BBC On-Line Article
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-32722654
Daily Mail Article
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3119923/
Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/15/dementia-photos
The Daily Mirror
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/my-dads-last-moments-dementia
Steve Huff
http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2015/11/11/india-2016-a-photographic-travelogue-by-mark-seymour/
Steve Huff
http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2014/04/25/sicily-with-the-new-nikon-d4s-by-mark-seymour/
Dementia: The Mighty
http://themighty.com/2015/06/photographer-captures-reality-of-his-dads-alzheimers-in-striking-series/