It was such an honour to be invited by AP Magazine to pay tribute and to honour the wonderful and inspiring Sebastião Salgado, who very sadly passed away earlier this year.
Festival of Photography – Documentary, Amateur Photographer Magazine. Panel talk: Sebastião Salgado tribute. L-R: Ian Berry (Magnum Photos) and Nigel Atherton (AP Magazine’s editor). The Royal Geographical Society, 1 Kensington Gore, London, UK. August 09, 2025. Photo: Sophie Ward
The event was organised by Amateur Photographer Magazine and called Festival of Photography – Documentary, at The Royal Geographical Society in London. The tribute panel closed the day’s talks to a practically packed out Everest Room.
Festival of Photography – Documentary, Amateur Photographer Magazine. Panel talk: Sebastião Salgado tribute. Edmond Terakopian (photojournalist) in conversation. The Royal Geographical Society, 1 Kensington Gore, London, UK. August 09, 2025. Photo: Sophie Ward
The talk was chaired by Nigel Atherton (AP Magazine’s editor) and involved a conversation between Ian Berry (Magnum Photos), Neil Burgess (agent) and myself.
Festival of Photography – Documentary, Amateur Photographer Magazine. Panel talk: Sebastião Salgado tribute. L-R: Edmond Terakopian (photojournalist) and Neil Burgess (agent). The Royal Geographical Society, 1 Kensington Gore, London, UK. August 09, 2025. Photo: Sophie Ward
With thanks to Sophie Ward for the wonderful photographs from the event.
[general caption] Festival of Photography – Documentary, Amateur Photographer Magazine. Panel talk: Sebastião Salgado tribute. L-R: Edmond Terakopian (photojournalist), Neil Burgess (agent), Ian Berry (Magnum Photos) and Nigel Atherton (AP Magazine’s editor). The Royal Geographical Society, 1 Kensington Gore, London, UK. August 09, 2025. Photos: Sophie Ward.
Such an immense inspiration to me that when I first discovered his Workers project as teenager, I would spend hours at a time, looking at the book. In time, looking became seeing and unknowingly, Salgado became a mentor, and more consciously, the main reason I realised photography should be my path.
I thought that if someone can make photographs like the ones from the Serra Pelada gold mine in Brazil, then the possabilities of what can be produced by a camera, is infinite.
I had the honour of meeting him and his wonderful wife Lélia several decades later, in 2013. When like an enthusiastic child I blurted out my story and admiration for his work. He was all that I had wished him to be from afar. A wonderful human being, compassionate, caring, enthusiastic, passionate and without any sense of pretentiousness. The sparkle in his eyes hinted at the immensity of the mind and soul. He spoke with me as if we were equal colleagues, bonded deeply through photography.
Lélia Wanick Salgado, Edmond Terakopian and Sebastião Salgado at Taschen’s London book store for the signing of the Genesis book. April 10, 2013. Photo: Taschen London
I hope my tears convey my deep love for your work and appreciation for you as a most wonderful human, dear Sebastião. Rest peacefully.
Absolutely delighted to share that two of my photographs have been shortlisted in the prestigious World Food Photography Awards!
The first photograph is in the Unearthed Food For Sale category.
Catching up on messages after work at Fish! (fish and chips) take away. Borough Market, London, UK.
The second is in the Politics of Food section.
Scooter delivery drivers taking a break. Over 60% of UK adults use a food delivery services, with 80% being accounted for by mobile apps. The forerunners of these services are Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat. In the UK, the meal delivery segment is projected to generate £48.21 billion in revenue by the year’s end. Scooter delivery drivers taking a break between jobs. Brick Lane, known for its plethora of curry restaurants. London, UK.
Interestingly, both photographs were made during workshops I was hosting. The top one during a bespoke one on one workshop and the bottom one, during Steve Simon and my annual, week long, summer street photography workshop. So, if you’d like to join in and get some guidance on how to spot special moments like these, do get in touch!
Things have been so busy that I forgot to celebrate a work anniversary! This autumn, marked 35 years of professional photography!
It’s amazing to think that I started my career in 1989! My first newspaper was the Ealing Gazette. Such a special place that to this day I’m lucky to keep in touch with great friends and colleagues from those days. Full of fond memories of getting my first break thanks to the chief photographer Stan James.
Five years into my career. Tools of the trade. 1994.
The last 35 years have been primarily as a photojournalist, adding corporate, commercial as well as short film making as the decades continued.
It’s a job I absolutely love and cherish. Still getting an immense buzz from that gut feeling of knowing one has captured a good photograph, as the shutter button is released. I’m thankful that I still get that creative rush from seeing a publication and getting client feedback.
This photograph was made five years into my career; trusty Nikon FM2, Leica M6, press card and a Domke photographer’s vest!
It’s astonishing to realise I’ve been published in practically all the world’s main newspapers, picked up a World Press Photo award, the British Press Awards Photographer of the Year title and get exhibited in around 90 countries; something the 19 year old me would never have fathomed!
Thank you to everyone along the way who has made this such an immensely wonderful career.
Happy news time!! Absolutely overjoyed with ten Silver Winner Awards from the Global Photography Awards! The winning work was a mixture of wedding, newspaper, commercial still life and street photography. The announcement was made several weeks ago, but thanks to Covid, it’s taken a while to catch up and finally blog this! My apologies on the delay.
[Press Release] The International Awards Associate (IAA) is honoured to join forces with the Global Photography Awards in announcing Edmond Terakopian as the recipient of ten Silver Winner awards in its inaugural competition. The GPA celebrates exceptional photographers from around the globe, with work from 35 countries having been entered into these awards.
Silver Award Winners
Editorial Photography – Religious
109th Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide of April 24th, 1915. Wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial khachkar (a carved Armenian Stone Cross memorial sculpture) took place after the remembrance service and prayers. The ceremony paid tribute to the enduring strength and resiliency of the survivors of the 1915 Armenian Genocide, while honouring the memory of the 1.5 Million victims who lost their lives 109 years ago. St Yeghiche Armenian Church, London, UK. April 21, 2024. Photo: Edmond Terakopian
Editorial Photography – Celebrity
Engelbert Humperdinck (Arnold George Dorsey) photographed at an event launching a new joint single with EMIN, titled “Help Me Make It Through The Night”, on EMIN’s forthcoming album “Now or Never”. White City House Studio, Television Centre, White City, London, UK. January 31, 2024. Photo: Edmond Terakopian. Shot on a Lumix S1 and Lumix S Pro 70-200mm f2.8. Lit with Profoto.
Black & White Photography – Wedding
The Wedding Of Joost and Jessica Appelboom. Kasteel De Vanenburg, Putten, The Netherlands. July 20, 2024. Photo: Edmond Terakopian. Shot on a Lumix S1R and Lumix S Pro 24-70mm f2.8.
Commercial Photography – Product
Leonardo Dodici Magmatica fountain pen, inspired by the deep blue of seabeds and the dark nuance of volcanic sediment pouring into the sea. London, UK. May 18, 2024. Photo: Edmond Terakopian. Shot on a Fujifilm GFX 100ii and a Fujifilm GF 110mm f5.6 T/S Macro. Lit with Profoto.
Commercial Photography – Advertising
Onoto Magna Classic Sterling Silver. It is fitted with a 18ct gold fine nib and is available in a limited edition of 999. It has 3 gold-plated sterling silver cap bands with the sterling silver Onoto Chevron clip, plated in 23ct gold. London, UK. June 10, 2024. Photo: Edmond Terakopian.Shot on a Fujifilm GFX 100ii and a Fujifilm GF 110mm f5.6 T/S Macro. Lit with Profoto.
Commercial Photography – Luxury
Onoto Magna Classic Sterling Silver. It is fitted with a 18ct gold fine nib and is available in a limited edition of 999. It has 3 gold-plated sterling silver cap bands with the sterling silver Onoto Chevron clip, plated in 23ct gold. London, UK. June 24, 2024. Photo: Edmond Terakopian. Shot on a Fujifilm GFX 100ii and a Fujifilm GF 120mm f4.0 Macro. Lit with Profoto.
Commercial Photography – Brands Campaign
A Shibui North, Dragonfly fountain pen, in brass with a deep engraved Seigaha pattern. The pen has a size 6 Bock nib, with the same engraved pattern. March 21, 2024. London, UK. Photo: Edmond Terakopian. Shot on a Lumix S1R and Sigma 105mm f2.8 Macro Art DG GN. Lit with Profoto.
Editorial Photography – Street
The reflection of a lady about to cross the road is seen in a mirrored overhang of a building. Canary Wharf, London, UK. July 08, 2024. Photo: Edmond Terakopian. *NB the image has been rotated 180 degrees. There is no image manipulation. Shot on a Lumix G9 and Lumix G Vario 35-100mm f2.8 II.
People Photography – Street
The young table tennis fan watches a game on a public ping pong table. Little Venice, London, UK. July 11, 2024. Photo: Edmond Terakopian. Shot with a Lumix G9 and Leica DG 12-60mm f2.8-4.0.
People Photography – Personality
Pure joy on the London Underground escalator. London Bridge Underground Station, London, UK. July 12, 2024. Photo: Edmond Terakopian. Shot with a Lumix G9 and Leica DG 12-60mm f2.8-4.0.
Technical Info
As always, the photographs were all shot in raw and processed using LightRoom Classic, on an Apple Mac Studio, using weekly calibrated Eizo CG276 displays. The finishing touches to the processing is applied in Exposure Software’s X7.
Absolutely delighted to share that four of my photographs have been shortlisted in the prestigious British Photography Awards. Also, delighted to hear that in total, the 2023/2024 entry fees by participating photographers, raised £25,510.00 for 19 charities. It’s great to be part of this charity oriented awards.
Once the judging concludes, the results will be announced at a black-tie Awards Gala in November. Alongside the judged categories, there is also Global Public Voting, so the public can vote for their favourite images (one vote per category, per person). After the awards’ ceremony, there will follow a British Photography Roadshow in 2024-25, so keep your eyes peeled as the roadshow may be close by!
It’s been wonderful to have photographs from such different genres selected by the judges. It’s a testament to how enjoyable and captivating photography is, as a hobby or a profession. The competition is open to all, so grab your cameras and enter for next year!
***Update***
It was much fun attending the British Photography Awards 2024 gala at the Royal Lancaster on November the 4th. Alas, no wins, but great to reach the finals, especially in four different categories.
Photographer Edmond Terakopian, a finalist in four categories, at the British Photography Awards gala. Royal Lancaster, London, UK. November 04, 2024.
Technical Info
The images were shot in raw, edited and processed in LightRoom Classic, using fully calibrated Eizo CG276 displays, on a Mac Studio.
The Macro photograph of the Onoto Magna Sterling Silver fountain pen was shot on a Fujifilm GFX 100 II and a GF 120mm f4.0 Macro Lens, with Profoto lighting.
The Pets & Domesticated Animals photograph of the dog and owner, I used a Lumix G9 and Lecia DG 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 lens.
The Street photograph titled ‘Walking to the edge? ‘ was made on a Lumix G9 with a Lumix G 35-100mm f2.8 lens.
‘Taking Daddy’s Chair’ in the Wedding category, was photographed using a Lumix S1 and Lumix S Pro 70-200 f2.8 lens.
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