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Jimmy Nelson Photography

British, b. 1967

Over the course of a prolific career that has spanned more than 30 years, artist Jimmy Nelson has captured profound and enduring images of the world’s most remote tribes and indigenous peoples. His rich color photography, portraits and landscapes seek to tell the stories of many diverse cultures and explore the impact of the modern age on their traditions and life.

Nelson was born in 1967 in Sevenoaks, Kent, and spent his early childhood traveling the world with his father, a geologist. At the age of seven, Nelson was sent to a Jesuit boarding school in the North of England, where he spent the next ten years of his life.

Nelson journeyed to Tibet in his late teens — he had lost all of his hair owing to an autoimmune disorder and thought that the Tibetan monks might be more accepting of his appearance than his affluent British classmates were. The year-long trip afforded him the opportunity to photograph the East Asian region, which had only recently opened its borders to foreigners. In 1988, Nelson’s images were published in several worldwide publications, garnering international acclaim. He secured assignments to cover a range of world events as a photojournalist — among them, Russia’s involvement with Afghanistan and the war in former Yugoslavia.

In 1994, Nelson and his wife, Ashkaine, embarked on an ambitious project titled “Literary Portraits of China,” which captured images of what were then the country’s lesser seen corners. It took 40 months to complete, and his photos were later exhibited at the People’s Palace in Tiananmen Square, Beijing.

Later, Nelson traveled the globe to not only document indigenous cultures through his figurative photography but to discover how they were surviving in the contemporary world. This project resulted in his first book, Before They Pass Away. It was published in 2013 and an expanded edition debuted in 2020. The Jimmy Nelson Foundation was established in 2016 in order to raise awareness about the subjects of Nelson’s photography. Homage to Humanity, which features hundreds of photos of indigenous people all over the world, was published in 2018.

Find authentic Jimmy Nelson photography on 1stDibs.

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Artist: Jimmy Nelson
Jimmy Nelson - XXVIII 5 // XXVIII Wodaabe, Chad, Photography 2018, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
"XXVIII 6 Angelo, Soedoe Soechay, Gerewol, Bossio, Chad, 2016 The nomadic Wodaabe community belong to the Fulani ethnic group, who are distributed across at least ten North-African...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimmy Nelson - XL 23 // XL Peru, Photography 2018, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
Q’ero Ausangate mountain range, Andes Peru 2018 Situated on the central west coast of South America, this large country encompasses a great variety of biotopes and climates, in mo...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper

Jimmy Nelson - XLI 19 // XLI Australia, Photography 2018, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
XLI 19 Nulgit Family, Mowanjum Boab tree, Derby, The Kimberley Australia 2018 A part of the Bardi (or Baada) community lives mainly north of the city of Broome on the uppermost po...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper

Jimmy Nelson - XXVIII 8 // XXVIII Wodaabe, Chad, Photography 2016, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
"XXVIII 8 Wodaabe, Gerewol The nomadic Wodaabe community belong to the Fulani ethnic group, who are distributed across at least ten North-African countries. Chad is home to many of ...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimmy Nelson - XXVIII 9 // XXVIII Wodaabe, Chad, Photography 2016, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
"XXVIII 9 Wodaabe, Gerewol The nomadic Wodaabe community belong to the Fulani ethnic group, who are distributed across at least ten North-African countries. Chad is home to many of...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimmy Nelson - XLI 20 // XLI Australia, Photography 2018, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
XLI 20 Bardi Cape Leveque, Dampier Peninsula, The Kimberley Australia 2018 A part of the Bardi (or Baada) community lives mainly north of the city of Broome on the uppermost point ...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper

Jimmy Nelson - XLI 17 // XLI Australia, Photography 2018, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
XLI 17 Bardi Cape Leveque, Dampier Peninsula, The Kimberley Australia 2018 A part of the Bardi (or Baada) community lives mainly north of the city of Broome on the uppermost point...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper

Jimmy Nelson - XL 25 // XL Peru, Photography 2018, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
XL 25 Q’ero & Ausangate women Ausangate mountain range, Andes Peru 2018 Situated on the central west coast of South America, this large country encompasses a great variety of biot...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper

Jimmy Nelson - XXVIII 6 // XXVIII Wodaabe, Chad, Photography 2016, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
"XXVIII 6 Angelo, Soedoe Soechay, Gerewol, Bossio, Chad, 2016 The nomadic Wodaabe community belong to the Fulani ethnic group, who are distributed across at least ten North-African...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimmy Nelson - XL 3 // XL Peru, Photography 2018, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
XL 3 Hecton Quispe Ordoñez, Q’ero Qochamoqo, Hatun Q’eros, Andes Peru 2018 Situated on the central west coast of South America, this large country encompasses a great variety of b...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper

Jimmy Nelson - XL 15 // XL Peru, Photography 2018, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
XL 15 Q’ero Qochamoqo, Hatun Q’eros, Andes Peru 2018 Situated on the central west coast of South America, this large country encompasses a great variety of biotopes and climates, ...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper

Jimmy Nelson - XLI 5 // XLI Australia, Photography 2018, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
XLI 5 James Nulgit, Mowanjum Derby, The Kimberley Australia 2018 A part of the Bardi (or Baada) community lives mainly north of the city of Broome on the uppermost point of the Da...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper

Jimmy Nelson - XL 1 // XL Peru, Photography 2018, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
XL 1 Marilena and Marisol, Q’ero Qochamoqo, Hatun Q’eros, Andes Peru 2018 Situated on the central west coast of South America, this large country encompasses a great variety of bi...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper

Jimmy Nelson - XXXIX 17 // XXXIX Siberia, Nenets, 2018, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
XXXIX 17, Nenets, Yamal Peninsula, Ural Mountains, Siberia 2011 It seems implausible that people could survive the extreme blizzards, sunless days and excruciatingly low temperature...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper

Jimmy Nelson - XXX 5 // XXX Kazakhs, Mongolia, Photography 2017, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
"XXX 5 Meruert Sagsai, Bayan Ulgii Province,  Mongolia The Mongolian Kazakhs travelled through Russia to the Mongolian Altai Mountains living as semi-nomads, moving several times a ...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimmy Nelson - XXXIX 8 // XXXIX Siberia, Nenets, Photography 2018, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
XXXIX 8, Pavel Khudi, Yamalo- Nenets Autonomous District, Siberia 2018 It seems implausible that people could survive the extreme blizzards, sunless days and excruciatingly low temp...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper

Jimmy Nelson - XXVIII 53 // XXVIII Wodaabe, Chad, 2018, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
"The nomadic Wodaabe community belong to the Fulani ethnic group, who are distributed across at least ten North-African countries. Chad is home to many of the Wodaabe. Far from the c...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimmy Nelson - XXIX 8 // XXIX Bhutan, Photography 2018, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
"XXIX 8 Sonam Choden, Sharchop Buhtan Bhutan’s verdant valleys filled with fluttering prayer flags are surrounded by the high, snow-peaked mountains that have helped isolate the co...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimmy Nelson - XXIX 3 // XXIX Bhutan, Photography 2016, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
"XXIX 3 Tiger's Nest, Upper Paro Valley, Bhutan Bhutan’s verdant valleys filled with fluttering prayer flags are surrounded by the high, snow-peaked mountains that have helped isola...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimmy Nelson - XXXIX 2 // XXXIX Siberia, Nenets, Photography 2018, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
XXXIX 2, Pavel & Jello Khudi, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous district, Siberia 2018 It seems implausible that people could survive the extreme blizzards, sunless days and excruciatingly l...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper

Jimmy Nelson - XXIX 2 // XXIX Bhutan, Photography 2018, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
"XXIX 2 Sonam, Gantey, Bhutan Bhutan’s verdant valleys filled with fluttering prayer flags are surrounded by the high, snow-peaked mountains that have helped isolate the country for...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimmy Nelson - XXVIII 33 // XXVIII Wodaabe, Chad, 2018, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
"XXVIII 33 Ousman Gambo, Wodaabe, Sudosukai clan The nomadic Wodaabe community belong to the Fulani ethnic group, who are distributed across at least ten North-African countries. Ch...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimmy Nelson - XXIX 1 // XXIX Bhutan, Photography 2016, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
"XXIX 1 Paro Pass, Bhutan Bhutan’s verdant valleys filled with fluttering prayer flags are surrounded by the high, snow-peaked mountains that have helped isolate the country for muc...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimmy Nelson - XXVIII 24 // XXVIII Wodaabe, Chad, 2016, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
"XXVIII 24 Wursak, Soedoe Soechay The nomadic Wodaabe community belong to the Fulani ethnic group, who are distributed across at least ten North-African countries. Chad is home to m...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimmy Nelson - XXIX 4 // XXIX Bhutan, Photography 2016, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
"XXIX 4 Mask dancer, Paro Bhutan Bhutan’s verdant valleys filled with fluttering prayer flags are surrounded by the high, snow-peaked mountains that have helped isolate the country ...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimmy Nelson - XXIX 24 // XXIX Bhutan, Photography 2018, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
"XXIX 24 Chele La pass, Paro Bhutan 2016 Bhutan’s verdant valleys filled with fluttering prayer flags are surrounded by the high, snow-peaked mountains that have helped isolate the...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimmy Nelson - XXX 8 // XXX Kazakhs, Mongolia, Photography 2018, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
"XXX 8 Juldis, Kazakh Sagsai, Bayan-Ӧlgii province Kazakh The Mongolian Kazakhs travelled through Russia to the Mongolian Altai Mountains living as semi-nomads, moving several tim...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimmy Nelson - XXX 10 //XXX Kazakhs, Mongolia, Photography 2018, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
"XXX 10 Janerk Haizim Eagle Huntress Sagsai, Bayan Ulgii Province,  Mongolia 2017 The Mongolian Kazakhs travelled through Russia to the Mongolian Altai Mountains living as semi-noma...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimmy Nelson - XXXIII 31 // XXXIII PNG Coastal, Photography 2018, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
XXXIII 31, Korafe, Amuioan, Tufi, Oro Province, Papua, New Guinea 2017 The Korafe community lives close to the town of Tufi in the north-east of Papua New Guinea’s main island. Tufi...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimmy Nelson - XXXVIII 4 // XXXVIII Siberia, Dolgan, 2018, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
XXXVIII 4, Dolgans, Anabar district, Yakutia, Siberia 2018 The Dolgan people live at what feels like the end of the world, on icy white plains that stretch out as far as the eye can...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper

Jimmy Nelson - XXXIII 24, XXXIII PNG Coastal, Photography 2017, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
XXXIII 24, Tufi Papua, New Guinea 2017 The Korafe community lives close to the town of Tufi in the north-east of Papua New Guinea’s main island. Tufi is close to Cape Nelson, a coas...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimmy Nelson - XXX 15 // XXX Kazakhs, Mongolia, Photography 2017, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
"XXX 15 Esker Eagle hunter Sagsai, Bayan Ulgii Province, Mongolia The Mongolian Kazakhs travelled through Russia to the Mongolian Altai Mountains living as semi-nomads, moving seve...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimmy Nelson - XXX 37 // XXX Kazakhs, Mongolia, Photography 2017, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
"XXXX 37 Altai sum, Bayan Ulgii province Mongolia The Mongolian Kazakhs travelled through Russia to the Mongolian Altai Mountains living as semi-nomads, moving several times a year...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimmy Nelson - XXX 45 // XXX Kazakhs, Mongolia, Photography 2018, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
"XXX 45 Khavtsalijn Am Altan Tsogts Country Bayan Ulgii Provence Mongolia The Mongolian Kazakhs traveled through Russia to the Mongolian Altai Mountains living as semi-nomads, m...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimmy Nelson - XXXI 32, XXXI Muchimba, Angola, Photography 2018, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
"The Muchimba people are a semi-nomadic people living mainly in Angola’s border area with Namibia, on the dry Kaokoveld Plateau in the Cunene region. The Cunene river is an importa...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimmy Nelson - XXXVIII 1 // XXXVIII Siberia, Dolgan, 2018, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
Brigade Migrating with the Bolaks, Dolgan, Anabar district, Yakutia, Siberia 2018 I’m determined to show the world how beautiful, it really is here – and that requires the magic of ...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper

Jimmy Nelson - XXX 70 // XXX Kazakhs, Mongolia, Photography 2017, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
"XXX 70 Khoyor Tolgoi Hill, Altan Tsogts County Bayan Ulgii Provence, Mongolia The Mongolian Kazakhs travelled through Russia to the Mongolian Altai Mountains living as semi-nomads,...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimmy Nelson - XXX 17 // XXX Kazakhs, Mongolia, Photography 2018, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
"XXX 17 Erchebulat, Kazakh Sagsai, Bayan-Ӧlgii province Mongolia The Mongolian Kazakhs travelled through Russia to the Mongolian Altai Mountains living as semi-nomads, moving sev...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimmy Nelson - XXX 74 // XXX Kazakhs, Mongolia, Photography 2017, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
"XXX 74 Khoyor Tolgoi Hill, Altantsogts County Bayan Ulgii Provence, Mongolia The Mongolian Kazakhs travelled through Russia to the Mongolian Altai Mountains living as semi-nomads, ...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimmy Nelson - XXX 34 // XXX Kazakhs, Mongolia, Photography 2018, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
"XXX 34 Jaimurat, Jeken & Jantemer, Kazakh Khavtsaliin Am, Altantsogts, Bayan-Ӧlgii province Mongolia The Mongolian Kazakhs travelled through Russia to the Mongolian Altai Mounta...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimmy Nelson - XXXVII 92 // XXXVII 2 Mexico, Photography 2017, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
XXXVII 92, Chichimeca Jonaz, Mision de Chichimecas, Guanajato, Mexico 2017 Chichimeca is the collective name for several different groups living mostly in central Mexico. Chichimeca...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper

Jimmy Nelson - XXXVII 85 // XXXVII 2 Mexico, Photography 2017, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
XXXVII 85, Dia de los Muertos, Oaxaca, Mexico 2017 The Zapotecs were once one of the most important civilizations in the region. Today around a million people belong to this cultura...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper

Jimmy Nelson - XXXVII 86 // XXXVII 2 Mexico, Photography 2017, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
XXXVII 86, Dia de los Muertos, Oaxaca, Mexico 2017 The Zapotecs were once one of the most important civilizations in the region. Today around a million people belong to this cultura...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper

Jimmy Nelson - XXX 48 // XXX Kazakhs, Mongolia, Photography 2018, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
"XXX 48 Eagle festival, Tsambagarav mountain, Altai mountains Mongolia The Mongolian Kazakhs travelled through Russia to the Mongolian Altai Mountains living as semi-nomads, moving...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimmy Nelson - XXX 48 // XXX Kazakhs, Mongolia, Photography 2018, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
"XXX 48 Eagle festival, Tsambagarav mountain, Altai mountains Mongolia The Mongolian Kazakhs travelled through Russia to the Mongolian Altai Mountains living as semi-nomads, moving...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimmy Nelson - XXXI 33, XXXI Muchimba, Angola, Photography 2017, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
XXXII 33 Muchimba ladies, Himba Angola 2017 The Muchimba people are a semi-nomadic people living mainly in Angola’s border area with Namibia, on the dry Kaokoveld Plateau in the Cun...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimmy Nelson - XXX 40 // XXX Kazakhs, Mongolia, Photography 2017, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
"XXX 40 Khoyor Tolgoi Hill, Altan Tsogts County Bayan Ulgii Provence, Mongolia The Mongolian Kazakhs travelled through Russia to the Mongolian Altai Mountains living as semi-nomads,...
Category

2010s Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jimmy Nelson - XXII 5 // XXII China (29.13" x 24.41"), 2016, Printed After
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
XXII 5 Longhorn Miao In the Southern Chinese province of Guiyang there is a small number of exceptionally remote and traditional villages of the Miao people. The second one Jimmy vi...
Category

2010s Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Pigment, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment

Jimmy Nelson, VI 32 // VI Kazakhs, Mongolia, Photography 2011
By Jimmy Nelson
Located in Greenwich, CT
All available sizes & editions for each size of this photograph: 24.41" X 43.31" Edition of 9 VI 32 - Xardembek, Xasn, Sani, Kemi - Songinst - Mongolia, 2011 The Kazakh are the des...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jimmy Nelson Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper, C Print, Digital Pigment

Jimmy Nelson photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Jimmy Nelson photography available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of photography to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of orange and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Jimmy Nelson in pigment print, paper, photographic paper and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 21st century and contemporary and is mostly associated with the contemporary style. Not every interior allows for large Jimmy Nelson photography, so small editions measuring 1 inch across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Terry O'Neill, Massimo Listri, and David Burdeny. Jimmy Nelson photography prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $50 and tops out at $60,000, while the average work can sell for $6,675.

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