Kevin O'Connor

CAREER

Kevin O’Connor started his career in photography by training to become a master Black and White printer before moving on to assist photographers working in fashion and advertising studios.

O'Connor went on to open and run his own photographic and post production studios ( O'Connor / Dowse Studios) in the west end of London and over eighteen years worked for most of the major advertising agencies on award winning and iconic advertising campaigns. Clients included Benson & Hedges, Guinness, Fiat, Digital Corporation , Mercedes Benz and Smirnoff to name but a few.

Wishing to broaden his understanding of photography as a fine art medium O'Connor gained a postgraduate diploma in Photography: History, Culture and Criticism as a mature student at the London College of Printing.

In 1997 O'Connor conceived and founded the London Photographic Awards. For four years this annual competition culminated in traveling exhibitions in the UK, Europe and the USA. A coffee table catalogue was published to support each exhibition, three of which won prizes in the New York Festivals.

O'Connor launched the London Photographic Association (LPA) in late 2001. The LPA celebrates the art of modern photography and allows commercial and fine art photographers to show work and market themselves through a recognized industry association. LPA membership provides its ranks with a marketplace in which to show their photographic portfolios and hold online exhibitions.