Uwe Ommer

Rue Mouffetard. Paris. Portrait, Black and White Photograph.

1964

Born in Bergisch-Gladbach, Germany, Uwe Ommer became fascinated with photography at a young age. Initially sparked by his interest in photographing birds, he received his first camera at age 14 and began experimenting with his limited equipment. By the time Ommer was 18, he had given up on birds but was improving his skills as a photographer. He began working as an apprentice in a camera shop and soon picked up side projects for local papers, shooting everything from car accidents to weddings, when staff photographers were unavailable. In 1962, Ommer was awarded the first Deutscher Jugend Photo Preis (German Youth Photo Prize) at Photokina 1962 for his photograph of children playing soccer. In 1966, he opened his photography studio, primarily shooting fashion and advertising photos for small women’s magazines. Quickly gaining respect for his work in Paris, Ommer began showing in local galleries and eventually published his first book. Ommer was awarded an Honorary Fellowship to the Royal Photographic Society for the impact of his lifetime of work.