Laura El-Tantawy is a self publishing documentary photography.

Laura El-Tantawy is a British/Egyptian documentary photographer, artful book maker & mentor. Born in Worcestershire, UK, she studied in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the US & UK. Having lived between east and west for most of her life, this tension and multidimensionality inspires her work. She explores notions of home & belonging and is recognised for her uniquely lyrical eye.

El-Tantawy is an internationally awarded and exhibited artist. Her work has been published in The New Yorker, Afar, Le Monde, Wall Street Journal, National Geographic, Time, New York Times, Huck & Foam.

El-Tantawy prides herself on her independent identity as a visual creative. Self publishing has become central to her practice. Her self-published monographs have garnered multiple international accolades. In 2015 she released her first title “In the Shadow of the Pyramids”, a first-person account exploring memory & identity. The publication was internationally hailed & earned the shortlist for the prestigious Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize – awarded annually to an artist of any nationality who has made the most significant contribution to photography in Europe. 

She subsequently self-published two other titles: “The People” (2015), a newsprint celebrating the Egyptian Revolution of 2011; “Beyond Here Is Nothing” (2017), a meditation on home & belonging. In 2019 she released her fourth monograph, “A Star in the Sea”, an artistic contemplation on embracing the unexpected. 

Laura's goal as an artist is to produce socially engaged, unique and thought-provoking work. She often collaborates with like-minded individuals, institutions & organisations driven to inform responsibly, contribute positive change to the world & encourage stimulating thought & creativity. 

All images © Laura El-Tantawy. Used here with permission.