David Burnett
David Burnett is a celebrated American photojournalist whose career spans over fifty years. He has captured major political, cultural, and sporting events across the globe. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1946, he graduated from Colorado College in 1968 and began covering the Vietnam War soon after.
He is widely respected for his inventive visual style and deep journalistic integrity. In 1976, he co-founded Contact Press Images, shaping the field of independent photojournalism through his distinctive storytelling and commitment to documenting history with nuance and humanity.
In the decades since, Burnett has reported from more than 75 countries, covering the Iranian Revolution, the Chilean coup, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and numerous U.S. presidential campaigns. His lens has captured every American president since John F. Kennedy and every Summer Olympic Games since 1984, offering intimate and iconic views of significant events and cultural milestones.
Burnett’s innovative use of modern and vintage photographic equipment, including Speed Graphic and Holga cameras, distinguishes him. Whether working with large-format film or digital sensors, he brings a unique aesthetic that merges classical technique with contemporary storytelling. His portfolio includes some of the most recognisable images of figures like Bob Marley, Ayatollah Khomeini, and Michael Phelps.
Throughout his career, Burnett has received many of the industry’s highest honours, including the Robert Capa Gold Medal from the Overseas Press Club, the World Press Photo of the Year award, and the Sprague Award for Lifetime Achievement from the National Press Photographers Association. In 2024, he received the White House News Photographers Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising his continued impact on the field.
His published works include 44 Days: Iran and the Remaking of the World, Soul Rebel: An Intimate Portrait of Bob Marley, and E-motion: The Spirit of Sport, offering a deeper look at the people and moments he has chronicled. Burnett remains active in global visual journalism and is admired for his ability to capture human emotion and historical context in equal measure.
David Burnett’s exhibitions have showcased the breadth of his career, from conflict zones to sports arenas. Man Without Gravity, exhibited at Anastasia Photo in New York, features his poetic approach to Olympic athletes. Fourth Quarter, shown at The Ringling Museum, explores senior athletes and endurance through time. His rare behind-the-scenes photos from The Outsiders film are part of The Outsiders House Museum in Oklahoma.
Known for adapting with the times, Burnett transitioned to Sony mirrorless cameras in 2018 after four decades of using Canon, underscoring his openness to evolving tools while maintaining a consistent visual voice rooted in curiosity, empathy, and craftsmanship.
Published Books:
– 44 Days: Iran and the Remaking of the World (2009)
– Soul Rebel: An Intimate Portrait of Bob Marley (2009)
– E-motion: The Spirit of Sport (1997)
– Man Without Gravity (2015)
Selected Exhibitions:
– Man Without Gravity, Anastasia Photo, New York
– Fourth Quarter: Senior Athletes and their Indomitable Spirit, The Ringling Museum, Florida
– D-Day: The Men, The Beaches, DavidBurnett.com
– The Outsiders, The Outsiders House Museum, Oklahoma
Selected Awards and Recognitions:
– Robert Capa Gold Medal, Overseas Press Club
– World Press Photo of the Year
– Sprague Award for Lifetime Achievement, NPPA
– WHNPA Lifetime Achievement Award (2024)
