Sam Faulkner

Sam Faulkner is a London-based photographer known for his distinctive approach to both fine art and documentary photography. His work began in 1994 with a pivotal reportage project in Afghanistan, which earned him The Sunday Times Ian Parry Scholarship. Sam’s early work focused on exploring the human condition, capturing shared experiences across diverse cultures, often in conflict zones or challenging environments. His ability to document the raw reality of human life in extreme situations marked him as an important voice in the world of reportage photography.

Faulkner’s best-known fine art project, Unseen Waterloo, re-imagines soldiers of the Battle of Waterloo through a contemporary lens. This series, exhibited at Somerset House in London, presents haunting portraits of re-enactors on the battlefield, exploring themes of memory, history, and the personal cost of conflict. The project was an exploration of how we remember wars and those who fought in them, particularly through the medium of photography. Unseen Waterloo challenges the way conflicts are visually represented, focusing on the individual soldiers rather than the grand narratives of war.

Sam’s fascination with the breadth of human experience extends to other areas of...

Sam Faulkner’s photographic education did not follow a traditional path but was shaped by direct experiences in the field. His journey began with a major reportage project in 1994, documenting the human cost of the Afghanistan conflict. This early work earned him The Sunday Times Ian Parry Scholarship and solidified his place in the world of photojournalism. From these beginnings, Faulkner’s education as a photographer evolved through firsthand experience, constantly pushing the boundaries of documentary and fine art photography.

Influenced by the traditions of classic black-and-white photography, particularly the works of Henri Cartier-Bresson and Robert Capa, Faulkner initially focused on capturing the human condition in conflict zones. His self-taught approach and field experience allowed him to develop a raw and authentic visual style.

A key turning point in Faulkner’s development came from his time working in the fashion industry, particularly alongside the renowned photographer Mario Testino. This exposure to studio-based work added new layers to his craft, allowing Faulkner to blend the spontaneity of reportage with the precision of fashion photography. This fusion is evident in his later fine art work, where he seamlessly...

Sam Faulkner’s work has been exhibited at some of the world’s leading galleries and international photography festivals. His most acclaimed exhibition, Unseen Waterloo, was held at Somerset House in London. This project, which commemorated the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, offered a deeply personal and humanised view of the conflict through modern-day portraits of re-enactors on the actual battlefield. The exhibition garnered widespread critical acclaim for its innovative approach to historical memory and its focus on individual soldiers rather than the larger military narrative.

In addition to Unseen Waterloo, Faulkner’s work has been featured in exhibitions at the National Portrait Gallery and major photography events such as the Brighton Photo Biennial and Paris Photo. His ability to move fluidly between reportage and fine art photography has allowed him to present his work in a variety of contexts, appealing to both art lovers and historians alike.

Faulkner has also exhibited at Visa pour l’Image in Perpignan, one of the most prestigious photography festivals dedicated to photojournalism. This exhibition highlighted his powerful storytelling through photography, particularly in documenting human conflict and re...