Dan Kitwood
Dan Kitwood is a London-based staff photographer with Getty Images, where he has worked since 2006. His career began in 2002 following studies in Fine Art, and he has since reported from over 50 countries across the EMEA region. His assignments span politics, faith, conflict, conservation and displacement, all grounded in a commitment to veracity and humanity. Whether documenting typhoons in Southeast Asia or Jewish ceremonies in London, Dan brings a thoughtful, observant approach to visual storytelling shaped by decades on the frontline of global events.
Born in the East Riding of Yorkshire in 1977, Dan Kitwood’s journey in photography has taken him from the battle-scarred streets of Gaza to the desert rituals of Benin, capturing complex global narratives for over two decades. While his subjects are diverse—elections in Zimbabwe, Voodoo ceremonies in West Africa, falconers in the UAE—his lens consistently returns to the human condition. A defining theme in Dan’s work is migration, with significant projects documenting the Arab Spring exodus into Tunisia, the displacement caused by Daesh in Northern Iraq, and the evolving refugee crisis across Europe.
In quieter moments, his camera explored the Kalahari with San Bushmen or captured the re-enactment of Waterloo in Belgium. A long-standing interest in conservation culminated in a widely recognised project with the Chimpanzee Conservation Centre in Guinea, earning awards and global publication. His work appears regularly in The New York Times, National Geographic, The Guardian, TIME, GEO, and Paris Match.
Dan continues to cover high-profile news events from London while engaging with stories that reflect broader environmental, cultural and humanitarian concerns. Recently, he travelled to Chad to document the mass movement of refugees fleeing violence in Darfur, Sudan—a continuation of his enduring focus on displacement. His practice marries immediacy with nuance, delivering compelling narratives through images that resonate deeply. He remains committed to telling stories that matter, driven by a belief in the importance of bearing witness.
When not on assignment, Dan returns to themes close to his heart: wildlife, conservation and the preservation of indigenous knowledge. His photography at the Chimpanzee Conservation Centre remains a career milestone, not only for its visual power but for its contribution to global awareness of endangered species and the people working to protect them. These quieter, observational projects offer a counterbalance to his news work and demonstrate the breadth of his photographic voice.
Dan Kitwood’s work has been honoured with multiple awards, most recently being named Getty Images Global News Photographer of the Year 2025. He was previously awarded Getty Images European Photographer of the Year in 2013 and News Photographer of the Year at the UK Picture Editors’ Guild Awards in 2012, where he also won the 2011 Photo Essay category. His coverage of Typhoon Haiyan earned third place at both the Sony World Photography Awards and the Kontinent Awards. For his work in Guinea, he received a Special Jury Prize from Days Japan and was recognised by Picture of the Year International and Wildlife Photographer of the Year for “Caring for Missy.”
