Say hi!
call / 617.272.0558
write / hi@tjkphoto.com
Based in Washington, D.C.
Represented by Redux Pictures
Contact my representative Marcel Saba / email / 212.253.0399
I highlight the overlooked, the strange, and the unusual in plain sight. The deadpan tone of my images belies their absurdity. With an empathetic and generous eye, I celebrate weirdness through documentary photographs that astonish or confound. I slow down to better connect with my surroundings, finding humanizing moments and joy in strangeness. Ultimately, I want you to be curious about the world around you and question what you know and believe. The answers may prove unsatisfying, but the engagement itself is the point.
I specialize in nonfiction photography and pursue long-term projects across America. I hold press credentials for the White House and U.S. Congress, and received a degree in journalism from Boston University.
As a California native who misses the ocean, I make do with biking or hiking up whatever mountains I can find.
My clients include The New York Times, CNN, Time, AARP, Fortune, Forbes, Politico, Esquire, Buzzfeed, Vanity Fair, National Public Radio, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times Magazine, among many more.
SELECTED HONORS & EXHIBITIONS
2022
Fraction Magazine, Selected Artist in Issue 157: 14th Anniversary Issue & Group Exhibition
Filter Photo Festival, Context 2022 exhibition curated by Frances Jakubek (Chicago, IL)
American Photography 38, 'Chosen' for online gallery
2021
American Photography 37, Selected
2020
American Photography 36, Selected
White House News Photographers Association, Eyes of History, First Place: Portrait
LENSCRATCH, The 2020 Self-Quarantining Exhibition (online)
American Photographic Artists National Awards, Second Place: Portrait
American Photographic Artists Los Angeles, Off The Clock exhibition curated by David Fahey (Los Angeles, CA)
2019
American Photography 35, ‘Chosen’ for Online Gallery
2018
White House News Photographers Association, Eyes of History, First Place: Portrait/Personality; Second Place: Insider's Washington
School of Visual Arts, Year One - a visual reflection of the first year of the Trump Presidency (New York, NY)
American Photography 34, ‘Chosen’ for Online Gallery
2017
CENTER, Review Santa Fe
Photo District News, PDN Photo Annual, Photojournalism & Documentary category
2016
International Photography Awards, The ‘Lucie’s’, Best of Show (Manila, Philippines & Paris, France)
Filter Photo Festival, Power and Politics curated by Barbara Tannenbaum (Chicago, IL)
2015
International Photography Awards, The ‘Lucie’s’, Third Place: Panoramic; Honorable Mentions: People/Culture Series & Editorial Personality Series
International Photography Awards, Best of Show Exhibition (New York, NY)
American Photography 31, ‘Chosen’ for Online Gallery
2014
International Photography Awards, The ‘Lucie’s’, Honorable Mentions: Moving Images & Portrait
Prix de la Photographie Paris: Px3, Honorable Mention: Press/People/Personality
American Photography 30, ‘Chosen’ for Online Gallery
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Oso Bay Biennial XVIII Juried Exhibition: HOME (Corpus Christi, TX)
2013
Prix de la Photographie Paris: Px3, Silver: Press/People/Personality & Bronze: Press/Political
White House News Photographers Association, National Eyes of History, First Place: Presidential Campaign Picture Story
White House News Photographers Association, Eyes of History, Second Place: On Capitol Hill
American Photography 29, ‘Chosen’ for Online Gallery
Slideluck Potshow XVII, curated by Kira Pollack (New York, NY)
White House News Photographers Association, Inaugural National Eyes of History (Washington, DC)
White House News Photographers Association, Members-only Eyes of History (Washington, DC)
2012
PDN's 30, Nominee
International Photography Awards, The ‘Lucie’s’, Honorable Mention: Photo Essay
NPPA Best of Photojournalism, First Place: News Portrait and Personality
American Photography 28, Selected
Art of Photography Show, curated by Julian Cox (San Diego, CA)
Slideluck Potshow VI (Los Angeles, CA)
Slideluck Potshow VII (Washington, DC)
2011
Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar, First Place: News Picture Story
The New York Photo Festival, Nominee: Editorial Series
2009
Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar, First Place: News Picture Story
The Eddie Adams Workshop XXII
PRESS
Time Magazine, This Photo Perfectly Captures the Tension at the White House Right Now, July 2017
The Wall Street Journal, Photographer’s Story Behind the Viral Shot of Scaramucci, Priebus, July 2017
Momenta Workshops Instagram takeover interview, 'Guestagrammer' of the Week, July 2015
Verve Photo: The New Breed of Documentary Photographers, February 2015
CNN Photo Blog, Abe Lincolns Everywhere, November 2014
Photoshelter Blog, Are Photography Contests Worthwhile or Worthless?, February 2013
The Image Deconstructed, Spotlight on T.J. Kirkpatrick, May 2012
National Press Photographers Association, 22nd Eddie Adams Barnstorm Workshop, October 2009