Sam Abell
About
Sam Abell is one of America’s most influential documentary photographers, celebrated in particular for his in-depth color photo-essays for National Geographic magazine.
Born in 1945
Sam Abell will be Inducted into the International Photography Hall of Fame at a Ceremony in St. Louis, November 1, 2024. Learn more here.
Photo: Tintype of Sam Abell © Kari Wehrs
Photo Credit: HOF Inductee: © Sam Abell, Lady on Plaza
Sam Abell, born 1945, is an American photographer working in the documentary tradition.
Abell learned photography from his father, a high school teacher, at their home in Sylvania, Ohio. In 1970 he graduated from the University of Kentucky.
From 1971-2001 he was a contract and staff photographer for National Geographic.
In 1990, his work was the subject of a one-person exhibition and monograph titled Stay This Moment at the International Center of Photography in New York City.
Since then he has published four additional collections of his work: Seeing Gardens; Sam Abell: The Photographic Life; The Life of a Photograph and Sam Abell Library.
In addition, Abell maintains a career as a writer, teacher and lecturer on photography.
He has served on the boards of the George Eastman House and the University of Virginia Museum of Art.
In 2024 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from The Photo Society.
Branding © Sam Abell
Cuba © Sam Abell
Flowers © Sam Abell
Fungi the Dolphin © Sam Abell
Hagi Women © Sam Abell
Home © Sam Abell
LA © Sam Abell
Maine © Sam Abell
Hagi Window © Sam Abell
Pears © Sam Abell
Photo Credit: HOF Inductee: ©Edward Burtynsky
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