ABOUT KEVIN O’CONNELL

Kevin grew up in the South Suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, the third of six children in a working class family. Kevin’s passion for photography began in high school when he enrolled in his first photography class. Unfortunately, the old Agfa camera he used, and the fact that he never opened a book, resulted in low marks but did not deter him from pursuing his passion. Despite his natural draw to the art of photography, he followed in his father’s footsteps and became an electrician. It wasn’t until Kevin moved to downtown Chicago in 2000 that he found a whole new world of creativity that he subconsciously yearned for. After 20 years of working side jobs as a photographer shooting weddings and portraits, Kevin finally found a place to practice his passion and cultivate his craft. Feeling that his eclectic style of photography would not be appreciated, he started by working on a documentary of the “forgotten souls” of Chicago. After three years, his style had evolved into a completely different form.

In 2005, with increased patronage of his work and growing confidence in his craft, Kevin decided to leave the local electrical trade and venture to some of the most remote locations on earth. Since leaving in 2005, Kevin has visited several international locations, notably the Marshall Islands, China, and Antarctica, and achieved success in international competitions (placing in the top ten in the International Photography Awards). While living in the Marshall Islands, Kevin became friends with King Imata Kabua and worked on a documentary of the Marshallese culture. Most recently, he spent six months shooting in Antarctica and China, and next plans a trip to Tibet to do a documentary on the Tibetan exile.

Despite the surreal effects achieved in many of his pictures, the results are achieved without computer manipulation. He still uses old-fashioned Large and Medium Format cameras, along with new digital cameras, for a result that is uniquely Kevin O’Connell. In an age of digital domination, Kevin’s traditional techniques and magical effects make his work a breath of fresh air.