Biographies
The magazine of the art-form of the photo-essay.
RANKIN
www.rankin.co.uk
All of our advertising is certified by Google and therefore may be viewed safely.
OLIVIER LABAN-MATTEI www.labanmattei.photoshelter.com
Photographer and director, Rankin, lives and works in North London. Over the last 22 years
he has earned a reputation for his exceptional portraiture and is repeatedly commissioned
for global advertising campaigns, editorial features and is exhibited in galleries around the
world. As a director, he frequently shoots music videos, commercials and documentaries as
well as directing an award-winning feature film, The Lives of the Saints.
Having spent much of his time during the last few years in LA, Rankin finally fulfilled a
personal ambition, to exhibit his own work here, by opening the RANKIN Gallery on Melrose
Avenue in May 2011.
Working in association with the Fahey/Klein Gallery, this new space will showcase personal
collections of work to inquisitive LA residents and visitors. For the next two years, a full range
of work, including both photography and film will be on display in this progressive and
creative city.
Rankin says: I have always loved LA – like so many photographers and directors, it has a strong pull for me. It is the
unquestionable and true home of the industry I work in. The light, space and dynamic landscapes in and around the city
make it the best place in the world to shoot. I am excited to finally have a base here.
Olivier Laban-Mattei was born in 1977 in Paris. After studying geography and sociology, he
turned to a career as a photojournalist. He started in Corsica in 1999 where he became the
correspondent of Agence France-Presse. In 2005, he joined the AFP's staff in Paris.
Therefore, he covers the major events of the last 6 years. From Iraq to Gaza, the revolt in
Iran to the deadly cyclone in Burma, he tries to understand the survival mechanisms of
civilian victims of wars or natural disasters. At the same time, he participates in many
conferences and debates around these issues, mainly with young people and students.
In 2010, he decided to quit AFP and became a freelance photographer in order to work on
long-term personal projects. He has exhibitions in many places including Gijon, Bastia,
Tbilisi, Arles, Paris. Still in 2010, the International Photojournalism Festival "Visa pour l'Image"
from Perpignan organized a retrospective on his years of reporting. He participated in the
creation of the Agency NEUS with whom he currently works. For three consecutive years, in
2009, 2010 and 2011, he won a World Press Photo Award. The last one was on his report
on the earthquake in Haiti, where he received the first prize in the category "General News
Story". While continuing to cover some major world events for the press, he is currently
working on the earthquake's trauma on the Haitian people, and other projects.
AWARDS:
2006, 1st prize / Paris-Match award
2007, Bendrihem's 1st prize for the best European political photo
2009, World Press Photo, 3rd prize story in General News category
2009, Special award from the Jury of the international festival of photojournalism of Gijon
2010, Pictures of the year international (POYi), 2nd Prize
2010, Pictures of the year international (POYi), Award of excellence
2010, Special award from the Jury / Days Japan
?2010, World Press Photo, 2nd Prize story in Spot News category
2010, Fotoweek DC, 3rd Prize - Series-Photojournalism/Social Documentary
2010, Bayeux award for war correspondents, 2nd prize
2010, 1st prize / Paris-Match award
2011, World Press Photo, 1st prize story in General News category
GILES DULEY www.gilesduley.com
Earlier this year he was injured by an IED while on patrol with a US Forces in Afghanistan. As a result of the explosion he
lost both legs and his left arm. He is currently in rehab and hopes to return to work in 2012.
His friends have set up a trust to raise funds in order to help him reach his goals.
Duley was born in 1971 in London. After 10 years as an editorial photographer in the
fashion and music industries in both the US and Europe, Giles now focuses his work
exclusively on humanitarian projects. His work has been published world wide in many
respected publications including Vogue, GQ, Esquire, Rolling Stones, Sunday Times and
New Statesman.
Working in the humanitarian field, Giles partners with well respected charities such as
Medecins sans Frontiers, IOM and UNHCR to highlight lesser known stories deserving of
public attention and action. Although documenting challenging, and at times, horrific
situations, Giles captures the strength of those who fight their adversity rather than succumb.
His photographs draw the viewer to the subject, creating intimacy and empathy for lives
only differing from ours in circumstance.
In 2010 Giles was nominee for Amnesty Internationals Photographer of the year and was a
winner at the Prix de Paris.
STEVE EVANS www.babasteve.blogspot.com
Steve Evans is a cultural researcher, photojournalist, and social documentary
photographer and travels the globe extensively. He is affiliated with the International
Center for Ethnographic Studies - Atlanta, USA. Steve’s work has been featured in
exhibits in Nicosia-Cyprus, Brasilia-Brazil, Johannesburg-South Africa, and Dhahran-
Saudi Arabia. In addition, his photos have been used in hundreds of print and online
publications of various non-profits, humanitarian, educational, and religious organizations.
Steve’s work has taken him to over 90 countries.
JOHN STADNICKI www.johnstadnicki.co.uk
I think life is a journey into the unknown, an adventure if you like. Some plans come to
fruition others don’t, some destinations are reached others aren’t. My ticket on this
journey is my camera. It gives me a reason to be there. To record various people,
happenings, objects, landscapes, environments along my blundering way. I’ve never
really had a plan, I seem to bump into things in life. I started off as a litho printer and
ended up as a Photography lecturer.
Photography is the one thing that has remained a stable element over the years,
although I have only been using it seriously for the past 12 years. I’ve never been interested in the pretty ‘chocolate box’
image and always look for gritty reality. That is why I use black & white film for 90% of my work. Photography helps me
understand the world around me and captures not only what is in front of the camera but also the thoughts in my mind.
I suppose I could sum up life a little like photography. Expect nothing but be ready for everything.
METE OZBEK www.metegurselozbek.blogspot.com
Mete Ozbek was born in Ankara, Turkey on September 1966.
He started his photography journey when he was 16 years old with a Lubitel medium
format analog. During the years till 2008 February, he shot analog negatives and
positives. From 2008 he also uses DSLR in his works.
His photographs have been featured in some digital and printed magazines in Turkey
and abroad. Also have received awards in various competitions, like Turkish Cultural
Ministery, Lee Make History - Italy, local intercities competitions and have been featured
in some exhibitions in Turkey and also in Argentina.
He is currently trying to finish his “About Life” documentary project work and bring it to life.
His philosophy for life is “loving the creatures for the Creator” and he
tries to show that in his works.
PETER KENNARD www.peterkennard.com
PIERRE HOLTZ www.pierreholtz.com
Pierre Holtz was born in France in 1971. He has lived in Africa since 1998. Holtz broke into the field of professional
photography when he captured running children in a swarm of locusts in 2004. His point-and-shoot image was picked
up by Reuters and went around the world eventually winning the World Press Award and China International Photo
Awards 2005.
Pierre Holtz has been an in-house photographer for the European Press Agency (EPA) and his work has been published
in several international newspapers and magazines including the Spiegel, the Telegraph or the Guardians. He has
produced numerous photo- and video reports for United Nations publications.
Peter Kennard was born in London in 1949. He is Senior Tutor in photography at the Royal College of Art and his work
is in many major collections including Tate, the V&A and the Imperial War Museum.
His work has been published in numerous publications including The Guardian, The Observer, Sunday Times, The
Telegraph, The Independent, The Scotsman, New statesman and Time Magazine.
The magazine of the art-form of the photo-essay.
RANKIN
www.rankin.co.uk
All of our advertising is certified by Google and therefore may be viewed safely.
OLIVIER LABAN-MATTEI www.labanmattei.photoshelter.com
Photographer and director, Rankin, lives and works in North London. Over the last 22 years
he has earned a reputation for his exceptional portraiture and is repeatedly commissioned
for global advertising campaigns, editorial features and is exhibited in galleries around the
world. As a director, he frequently shoots music videos, commercials and documentaries as
well as directing an award-winning feature film, The Lives of the Saints.
Having spent much of his time during the last few years in LA, Rankin finally fulfilled a
personal ambition, to exhibit his own work here, by opening the RANKIN Gallery on Melrose
Avenue in May 2011.
Working in association with the Fahey/Klein Gallery, this new space will showcase personal
collections of work to inquisitive LA residents and visitors. For the next two years, a full range
of work, including both photography and film will be on display in this progressive and
creative city.
Rankin says: I have always loved LA – like so many photographers and directors, it has a strong pull for me. It is the
unquestionable and true home of the industry I work in. The light, space and dynamic landscapes in and around the city
make it the best place in the world to shoot. I am excited to finally have a base here.
Olivier Laban-Mattei was born in 1977 in Paris. After studying geography and sociology, he
turned to a career as a photojournalist. He started in Corsica in 1999 where he became the
correspondent of Agence France-Presse. In 2005, he joined the AFP's staff in Paris.
Therefore, he covers the major events of the last 6 years. From Iraq to Gaza, the revolt in
Iran to the deadly cyclone in Burma, he tries to understand the survival mechanisms of
civilian victims of wars or natural disasters. At the same time, he participates in many
conferences and debates around these issues, mainly with young people and students.
In 2010, he decided to quit AFP and became a freelance photographer in order to work on
long-term personal projects. He has exhibitions in many places including Gijon, Bastia,
Tbilisi, Arles, Paris. Still in 2010, the International Photojournalism Festival "Visa pour l'Image"
from Perpignan organized a retrospective on his years of reporting. He participated in the
creation of the Agency NEUS with whom he currently works. For three consecutive years, in
2009, 2010 and 2011, he won a World Press Photo Award. The last one was on his report
on the earthquake in Haiti, where he received the first prize in the category "General News
Story". While continuing to cover some major world events for the press, he is currently
working on the earthquake's trauma on the Haitian people, and other projects.
AWARDS:
2006, 1st prize / Paris-Match award
2007, Bendrihem's 1st prize for the best European political photo
2009, World Press Photo, 3rd prize story in General News category
2009, Special award from the Jury of the international festival of photojournalism of Gijon
2010, Pictures of the year international (POYi), 2nd Prize
2010, Pictures of the year international (POYi), Award of excellence
2010, Special award from the Jury / Days Japan
?2010, World Press Photo, 2nd Prize story in Spot News category
2010, Fotoweek DC, 3rd Prize - Series-Photojournalism/Social Documentary
2010, Bayeux award for war correspondents, 2nd prize
2010, 1st prize / Paris-Match award
2011, World Press Photo, 1st prize story in General News category
GILES DULEY www.gilesduley.com
Earlier this year he was injured by an IED while on patrol with a US Forces in Afghanistan. As a result of the explosion he
lost both legs and his left arm. He is currently in rehab and hopes to return to work in 2012.
His friends have set up a trust to raise funds in order to help him reach his goals.
Duley was born in 1971 in London. After 10 years as an editorial photographer in the
fashion and music industries in both the US and Europe, Giles now focuses his work
exclusively on humanitarian projects. His work has been published world wide in many
respected publications including Vogue, GQ, Esquire, Rolling Stones, Sunday Times and
New Statesman.
Working in the humanitarian field, Giles partners with well respected charities such as
Medecins sans Frontiers, IOM and UNHCR to highlight lesser known stories deserving of
public attention and action. Although documenting challenging, and at times, horrific
situations, Giles captures the strength of those who fight their adversity rather than succumb.
His photographs draw the viewer to the subject, creating intimacy and empathy for lives
only differing from ours in circumstance.
In 2010 Giles was nominee for Amnesty Internationals Photographer of the year and was a
winner at the Prix de Paris.
STEVE EVANS www.babasteve.blogspot.com
Steve Evans is a cultural researcher, photojournalist, and social documentary
photographer and travels the globe extensively. He is affiliated with the International
Center for Ethnographic Studies - Atlanta, USA. Steve’s work has been featured in
exhibits in Nicosia-Cyprus, Brasilia-Brazil, Johannesburg-South Africa, and Dhahran-
Saudi Arabia. In addition, his photos have been used in hundreds of print and online
publications of various non-profits, humanitarian, educational, and religious organizations.
Steve’s work has taken him to over 90 countries.
JOHN STADNICKI www.johnstadnicki.co.uk
I think life is a journey into the unknown, an adventure if you like. Some plans come to
fruition others don’t, some destinations are reached others aren’t. My ticket on this
journey is my camera. It gives me a reason to be there. To record various people,
happenings, objects, landscapes, environments along my blundering way. I’ve never
really had a plan, I seem to bump into things in life. I started off as a litho printer and
ended up as a Photography lecturer.
Photography is the one thing that has remained a stable element over the years,
although I have only been using it seriously for the past 12 years. I’ve never been interested in the pretty ‘chocolate box’
image and always look for gritty reality. That is why I use black & white film for 90% of my work. Photography helps me
understand the world around me and captures not only what is in front of the camera but also the thoughts in my mind.
I suppose I could sum up life a little like photography. Expect nothing but be ready for everything.
METE OZBEK www.metegurselozbek.blogspot.com
Mete Ozbek was born in Ankara, Turkey on September 1966.
He started his photography journey when he was 16 years old with a Lubitel medium
format analog. During the years till 2008 February, he shot analog negatives and
positives. From 2008 he also uses DSLR in his works.
His photographs have been featured in some digital and printed magazines in Turkey
and abroad. Also have received awards in various competitions, like Turkish Cultural
Ministery, Lee Make History - Italy, local intercities competitions and have been featured
in some exhibitions in Turkey and also in Argentina.
He is currently trying to finish his “About Life” documentary project work and bring it to life.
His philosophy for life is “loving the creatures for the Creator” and he
tries to show that in his works.
PETER KENNARD www.peterkennard.com
PIERRE HOLTZ www.pierreholtz.com
Pierre Holtz was born in France in 1971. He has lived in Africa since 1998. Holtz broke into the field of professional
photography when he captured running children in a swarm of locusts in 2004. His point-and-shoot image was picked
up by Reuters and went around the world eventually winning the World Press Award and China International Photo
Awards 2005.
Pierre Holtz has been an in-house photographer for the European Press Agency (EPA) and his work has been published
in several international newspapers and magazines including the Spiegel, the Telegraph or the Guardians. He has
produced numerous photo- and video reports for United Nations publications.
Peter Kennard was born in London in 1949. He is Senior Tutor in photography at the Royal College of Art and his work
is in many major collections including Tate, the V&A and the Imperial War Museum.
His work has been published in numerous publications including The Guardian, The Observer, Sunday Times, The
Telegraph, The Independent, The Scotsman, New statesman and Time Magazine.