Nadav Kander (born 1961) is a Swedish‑born British photographer and director, noted for his work in portraiture, landscape, and fashion photography. His images have been published in international magazines, exhibited in major galleries, and featured in book publications.
Early life and education
Kander was born in London, United Kingdom, and raised in Tel Aviv, Israel. He returned to the United Kingdom in the early 1990s, where he studied photography at the London College of Printing (now London College of Communication). Details about his family background and early influences are limited in publicly available sources.
Career
Fashion and early commercial work
During the 1990s Kander worked primarily as a fashion photographer, contributing to magazines such as Vogue and The Face and shooting advertising campaigns for brands including Levi’s, Converse, and Adidas.
Portraiture
From the early 2000s Kander shifted his focus toward portraiture. He produced a series of black‑and‑white portraits of notable cultural figures, including musicians, actors, and political leaders. Notably, his portrait of Barack Obama was featured on the cover of TIME magazine in 2009.
Landscape series
Kander’s landscape work gained critical attention with the series "The Eye of the Storm" (2008) and later with "The Snow" (2013) and "The Red" (2015), exploring desolate environments in Arctic and sub‑Arctic regions. These works are characterized by a stark, minimalist aesthetic and have been exhibited worldwide.
Publications
Kander’s major monographs include:
- Nadav Kander: The Snow (2013, Yale University Press)
- Nadav Kander: The Red (2015, Yale University Press)
- Nadav Kander: The Wind (2021, Yale University Press)
Exhibitions
His photographs have been shown in institutions such as the National Portrait Gallery (London), the Museum of Modern Art (New York), and the Fotografiska Museum (Stockholm). Solo exhibitions include “Nadav Kander: The Snow” at the Gagosian Gallery (London, 2013) and “Nadav Kander: The Red” at the Paris Photo Fair (2015).
Film and directing
In addition to still photography, Kander has directed short films and music videos. His film work includes the music video for “The Great Escape” by the band The Jungle Giants (2018). He has also directed commercial spots for luxury brands, though detailed listings are limited.
Awards and recognition
- International Photography Awards (IPA) Photographer of the Year, Portrait (2011)
- American Photography 34 (Honorable Mention) for “The Snow” series (2013)
- Sony World Photography Awards, 1st prize, Landscape (2015)
Personal life
Kander resides in London. He is married and has children; further personal details are not widely publicized.
References
- Kander, Nadav. The Snow. Yale University Press, 2013.
- "Nadav Kander." National Portrait Gallery, London.
- International Photography Awards, Winners Archive.
Note: Information is based on publicly available, verifiable sources up to 2024.
