Photo by Thea Pedersen
I’m a Copenhagen-based video journalist, photojournalist, Director of Photography and filmmaker, working across photography, documentary and news in Denmark and internationally.
My work is driven by curiosity about people and the stories they carry. I consider it a privilege to be given access to parts of people’s lives that I would otherwise never experience. Over the years, that has taken me from documenting everyday life close to home to covering war and conflict in some of the world’s most challenging environments.
I have covered the war in Iraq, the civil war in Yemen and the war in Ukraine, as well as the Israel–Iran conflict. In Mosul, I worked alongside Iraqi Special Forces at the frontline during the battle to retake the city, and was present inside the Al-Nuri Mosque in central Mosul when Iraqi forces declared Mosul liberated. In 2018, I travelled to northern Yemen with a colleague. We were among the first Danish journalists to visit the Houthi-controlled region since 2011. In 2022, I was in Kyiv when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. More recently, I covered the Israel–Iran conflict for Denmark’s public broadcaster, DR, based in Tel Aviv.
But conflict reporting is only one part of my work. I’ve also photographed people in very different circumstances, from homeless young people in Copenhagen and gold miners in Greenland to refugees across Europe and the Middle East. Whether working in a conflict zone or much closer to home, I’m interested in people, their circumstances and the stories that can be found in the details of their lives.
My background is in photojournalism, but I have always worked across both still photography and moving images. While still photography was the main focus of my work early in my career, I have always had a strong interest in film and television, and today moving images are an increasingly important part of my work.
Background
I graduated from the Danish School of Media and Journalism in 2011 with a degree in photojournalism. Before that, I studied media science, and I specialised in television production as part of my photojournalism studies.
Since then, I’ve worked as a freelance photographer and video journalist for Danish and international media, gradually expanding from still photography into moving images and larger productions. My experience includes editorial assignments, portraits, reportage, documentary and factual work, as well as shooting and directing for television and film.
Today, I work regularly with Denmark’s public broadcaster, DR, and have worked with organisations and media including Ritzau, Ekstra Bladet, TV 2’s regional stations, Scanpix, Altinget and Børsen. I have also worked as a video journalist and Director of Photography on productions for National Geographic and Disney+.
Awards & recognition
My photography has received recognition in both Danish and international competitions. In 2018, I won Photo of the Year 2017, Denmark’s main annual press photography award, for a photograph taken in Mosul during the battle to retake the city. The image is also featured on the front page of this website.
I have also won several other awards at Photo of the Year, as well as receiving recognition from Prix de la Photographie Paris and the International Photography Awards.
I’m grateful for the recognition, but awards are only one part of the work. For me, the most important thing remains making images that are honest, meaningful and able to communicate something about the people and stories behind them.
Working with me
Whether I’m working on a news assignment, a documentary, a portrait or a larger production, I try to bring the same qualities to the job: curiosity, preparation, adaptability and respect for the people involved.
I’m comfortable working independently in demanding situations, but I also enjoy being part of a larger production team. I value an open and informal atmosphere, and I’m naturally optimistic and easy-going. Even on long, challenging productions, I believe that a good sense of humour and a light-hearted approach can make a real difference to the people you work with.
Above all, I like working with people, finding the story and figuring out how best to tell it visually.
Awards & Exhibitions
2021:First Prize, Danish Photo of the Year 2020/21 (Årets Pressefoto), Best Portrait
2019:Photographer of the Year, Moscow International Foto Awards (MIFA)
2019:1st Place, “War & Conflicts Effects”, State of the World
2018:Editorial Photographer of the Year, International Photography Awards (IPA)
2018:1st Place, Editorial: War/Conflict, International Photography Awards (IPA)
2018:Gold and Silver, Prix de la Photographie Paris (Px3)
2018:1st Place, Editorial: General News, ND Awards
2018:3rd Place, Current Affairs, Sony World Photography Awards
2018:Silver, Moscow International Foto Awards (MIFA)
2018:2nd Prize, Single News, Istanbul Photo Awards
2018:Winner, Danish Photo of the Year 2017 (Årets Pressefoto)
2016:First Prize, Danish Photo of the Year 2015/16 (Årets Pressefoto), Best Foreign Reportage
2016:3rd Place, Editorial: General News, International Photography Awards (IPA)
2016:Selected for the Daily Press exhibition, Visa pour l’Image
2016:Honorable Mention, Moscow International Foto Awards (MIFA)
2015:Selected for the Daily Press exhibition, Visa pour l’Image
2010:First Prize, Danish Photo of the Year 2009/10 (Årets Pressefoto), Best Portrait
2010:Exhibition dedicated to the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion
2009:Selected for the Danish Photo of the Year 2008/09 exhibition
Professional Experience
2012-:Freelance photographer and video journalist, Copenhagen, Denmark
2011–2012:Staff Photographer, Ekstra Bladet, Copenhagen, Denmark
Seven-month temporary position.
Education
2007–2011:Photojournalism, Danish School of Media and Journalism (DMJX), Copenhagen
2009–2010:Internship, Ekstra Bladet, Copenhagen, Denmark
2002–2006:Media Science, University of Southern Denmark