Joey L.

Joey L., a photographer and director based in Brooklyn, New York, Joey L. is a world-renowned Canadian-born photographer and director, distinguished by his powerful and intimate portraits. His exceptional ability to forge a deep connection with his subjects shines through in every shot, from high-profile commercial projects to his long-term personal series, where he explores the human condition with rare respect and dignity.

His unique vision has been consistently sought after by some of the most prominent advertising and editorial clients since he was 18. His portfolio includes iconic campaigns for brands like the U.S. Army, National Geographic Channel, Lavazza, Novartis, Canon, History Channel, and the Government of Abu Dhabi. He has immortalized some of the world's most recognizable faces, including Robert De Niro, Jennifer Lawrence, Jessica Chastain, John Legend, and Danny DeVito, with his images regularly appearing in magazines, on billboards, and in subways across the globe.

In his personal projects, often self-funded and spanning years, Joey pours his entire soul. Driven by a profound curiosity for different ways of life, he has journeyed to remote and unknown territories. His "Holy Men" series was born from an initiatory trip to Varanasi as a teenager, while the "Guerrilla Fighters of Kurdistan" project took him to the front lines in Iraq and Syria. There, he created portraits that humanize and illuminate the faces of the men and women fighting against ISIS—a body of work celebrated by publications like Vanity Fair: Italia and The Independent, and later published as a book.

Another acclaimed book is his volume, Ethiopia: A Photographic Tribute to East Africa's Diverse Cultures & Traditions, the result of a decade of work and a love letter to a country that captures breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cultures with mastery. As celebrated chef Marcus Samuelsson wrote, "Joey L.’s Ethiopia book is a true love letter to my home country... His imagery does a beautiful job of capturing the diversity of the country and culture... Looking at the images, I can't wait to go back to my motherland."

His cultural impact has been globally recognized: he was named one of the “Most Influential Photographers on Social Media,” and his work has been exhibited at London’s National Portrait Gallery as part of the prestigious Taylor Wessing Prize.

Joey L. offers his unique vision for a range of collaborations. He is available as a Photographer & Director for corporate, special project, commercial, and documentary commissions worldwide. Collectors and institutions can acquire limited edition fine art prints from his acclaimed series, and his powerful photo series, including Guerrilla Fighters of Kurdistan and Ethiopia, are available for exhibitions in museums.