Kurt’s photography career is nothing like usual. “I realized I have been switching gears every five years,“ says Kurt, “I don’t like to feel like I stagnate and rather always think what else I could do to evolve my work.“
After studying Photojournalism and Fine Art Photography at Western Kentucky University, Kurt Vinion started his photography career as Director of Photography at the University of Louisville.
In 2000, working as a sports photographer for nearly five years, he decided to embark on a new direction: reportage photography and in Europe. His first documentary projects were focusing on the social conditions occurring in the post-Soviet republics including the changes of life in Russia after the fall of communism, the stealing of elections by Lukasenko in Belarus or peasants returning to the radioactive hot zones from the Cernobyl disaster. The documentary projects from this region culminated into long-term projects on the illegal coal miners in Dombass region of Ukraine and the Ukraine´s Street Kids, a story which brought him the 1st place NPPA award for the Best Magazine Picture Story.
Apart from former USSR, Kurt also covered topics such as the troubles in Northern Ireland and the build-up of US war in Afghanistan primarily focusing on displaced refugees and the Pakistani support of the Taliban. His reportage has garnered a number of international accolades, including two 1st places in The NPPA Best of Photojournalism, as well as several Czech Press Photo awards.
Although having a success with his reportage, Kurt felt he needed a new challenge in his work and lacking the creative aspect of photography he soon changed direction again in order to devote his time to portrait and art photography. Several years later and a move back to Prague, Kurt has become the most sought out wedding & portrait photographer in Prague, Czech Republic. Kurt’s next goal is to become the most successful wedding photographer in Europe. “I will always consider myself a reportage photographer and when asked to document weddings I for the first time ever realized I could not only be a true reportage photographer but could also apply my portrait and lighting skills.“ For the first time ever he finally feels rewarded both professionally and spiritually with his work. ‘being a part of one’s wedding day is something I will never take lightly, and to be given a chance to interpret it in my own way is simply a gift!’
AWARDS
2003 1st Place Magazine Feature Picture Story – NPPA The Best of Photojournalism
2002 1st Place Magazine Feature, NPPA The Best of Photojournalism
2002 3rd Place Best Portfolio - The Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar
2002 HM Picture Story – The Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar
2001 2nd Place Reportage, Czech Press Awards Competition
2001 2nd Place Aktuality, Czech Press Awards Competition
2000 1st Place General News, NPPA Clip Contest
2000 HM Aktuality, Photo Essay, Czech Press Awards Competition
1999 1st Place KNPA, Sports Action
1999 Judges Award, KNPA, Photo Essay
1999 Judges Award, KNPA Photo Essay
1999 AMERICAN PHOTOGRAPHY 15 ANNUAL two images selected by jury
1998 KNPA SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
EXHIBITS
2003 Group exhibit in Prague’s Galerie Spalova, Czech Republic
2001 Group exhibit in Prague’s Old Town Hall, Czech Republic
2000 Group exhibit in Prague’s Old Town Hall, Czech Republic
1998 Group Exhibit in New York City, Angel Orsantz Gallery, NYC, USA
1998 Permanent solo exhibit ‘The Student Athlete’, Louisville’s Freedom Hall, Kentucky, USA