Christian Werner is a freelance multimedia/photojournalist based in Boitzum, Germany. Chris, born in 1987, studied from 2009 to 2014 photojournalism and documentary photography at the University of Hanover. He works as a freelance photojournalist and published his photos and stories, among others, in Der Spiegel, Die Zeit, TIME Magazine, The Washington Post and many more. From 2012 -2016 Christian Werner was represented by the German reportage agency laif. In late 2016 Chris is represented by Zeitenspiegel. His photographic focus is the processing of social injustice, conflicts and geopolitical issues. His work has been awarded several times and frequently exhibited internationally. In 2015 Chris participated at the World Press Joop Swart Mastercalss in Amsterdam. 2016 Chris has been chosen in the 30 under 30 Europe Forbes List in the Media category. In late summer 2016 he begins working with MOAS (Migrant Offshore Aid Station).
Chris worked in various countries in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe and South America.
Vita
1987 - born in Hannover
2007 - final secondary-school examinations
2008 - seven-month practical course at the photography department of the newspaper „Neue Presse“, Hannover
2009 - begin of photojournalism study at the University of Applied Sciences in Hannover
2012 - represented by agency laif
2012 - four-month practical course at the photography and multimedia department of the magazine „DER SPIEGEL“, Hamburg
2014 – graduation of photojournalism & documentary photography at the University of Applied Sciences, Hannover
2015 – participation the the World Press Photo Joop Swart Masterclass, Amsterdam
2016 - chosen in the "30 under 30" Europe Forbes List in the Media category
2016 - working with MOAS (Migrant Offshore Aid Station)
2016 - represented by Zeitenspiegel
Awards
2012, "BEST PORTFOLIO"- competition, 3rd , Freundeskreis des Hauses der Photographie e.V.
2012, Unicef Photo of the Year, Honorable Mention, Unicef
2013, Canon ProfiFoto Award 13/1, winner, Profifoto
2013, PDN photo annual, winner, Pdn photo annual
2013, px3 Prix de la Photographie Paris, gold medal, px3
2013, brennpunkt AWARD, winner, brennpunkt
2013, American Aperture Awards, 2 x winner, ax3
2013, dpa news talent, 2nd, dpa news talent
2013, Axel-Springer-Preis, finalist, Axel-Springer-Preis
2013, Alexia Foundation Professional Grant, finalist, Alexia Foundation
2013, Eugene Smith Grant, finalist, Eugene Smith Memorial Fund
2013, Kindernothilfe Medienpreis, winner, Kindernothilfe
2013, Felix Schoeller Photo Award, nominated, FSPA
2013, PIC Förderpreis, winner, PIC-Verband
2013, JGS Photography Contest, runner-up, Forward Thinking Museum
2013, 68th College Photographer of the Year, gold + bronze medal, CPOY
2013, Fellowship 14, Commendation Award, Silver Eye Center for Photography
2014, Sony World Photography Award, shortlisted, WPO
2014, LensCulture 50 Emerging Talents Award, LensCulture
2014, CNN Journalist Award, winner, CNN Journalist Award
2014, Magnum Foundation Emergency Fund, Grantee, MFEF
2014, px3 Prix de la Photographie Paris, bronze medal, px3
2014, Kontinent Awards, official selection, Kontinent Awards
2014, UNICEF Picture of the Year, 2nd, UNICEF
2014, Terry O'Neill Award 2014, finalist, Terry O'Neill Award
2014, Prix Bayeux-Calvados, finalist, PBC
2015, JGS Photography Contest, winner, Forward Thinking Museum
2015, Pictures of the Year international, Award of Excellence, POYi
2015, Hansel-Mieth-Preis Digital, winner, Zeitenspiegel
2015, American Photography 31 SELECTED, winner, AP31
2015, Axel-Springer-Preis, winner, ASP
2015, World Press Photo Joop Swart Masterclass, participant, JSM
2015, alternativer medienpreis, nominated, amp
2015, The Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest, 2nd, ASIPPC
2015, Coburger Medienpreis, winner, CMP
2015, Journalismfund.eu, grantee, JF
2015, px3 Prix de la Photographie Paris, gold medal, px3
2015, Tokyo International Photography Competition, shortlisted, TIPC
2015, LensCulture 50 Emerging Talents Award, LensCulture
2015, Kontinent Awards, 3rd place, KA
2015, Prix Bayeux-Calvados des Correspondants de Guerre, winner, PBC
2015, Canon Profifoto Förderpreis 15/2, winner, CPF
2015, Kindernothilfe Medienpreis, finalist, Kindernothilfe
2015, “Next Generation of Science Journalists”-World Health Summit Award, winner, WHS
2015, Felix Schoeller Photo Award, winner, FSPA
2015, Moscow International Foto Awards, 2nd, MIFA
2015, JGS Photography Contest, runner-up, Forward Thinking Museum
Threatened by genocidal violence from the Islamic State, the Yazidi people are desperately struggling not just for their religious identity—but their very existence.
Although the name Bali conjures up thoughts of azure-blue water and stunning vistas, there is a seldom seen, dark side to the island. The mentally ill are considered evil and so their families lock them up, chain them and detain them in horrifying conditions—for years at a time. A shocking documentary report.
