Oli Scarff

I’m a photographer for Agence France-Presse (AFP) based near Manchester covering news, sports and features across the Midlands, North of England, and beyond.

Following four long years studying Mathematics at Warwick University I began my photographic career with SWNS agency in Bristol, taking pictures for national newspapers and magazines. After 3 years of interesting and eclectic assignments I accepted a contract with the Daily Telegraph in London. A year later I joined Getty Images as one of their 6 UK staff news photographers. Working for Getty from 2008 - 2014 I covered numerous assignments across Europe and Africa as well as North and South America. Then in late 2014, and looking for a new challenge, I moved out of London to begin working for AFP. My images have appeared on the fronts of publications around the world including: The New York Times, Sydney Morning Herald, LA Times, The Guardian, The Washington Post, Time and Newsweek. More recently, I've been invited to contribute as a guest lecturer on the Photography BA course at Oxford Brookes University.

In the fleeting moments when not taking pictures, eating or sleeping, I enjoy cycling, running and being dragged up high mountains by my adventurous wife.

Awards & Nominations

2023 - The BPPA’s Press Photographer of the Year

2023 - First Prize 'Arts & Entertainment' award from the British Press Photographer's Association

2023 - Istanbul Photo Awards,Single Sports 2nd Prize

2023 - Istanbul Photo Awards,Single Portrait 2nd Prize

2023 - Sports Photographer of the Year at the UK Picture Editors’ Guild Awards

2023 - Finalist in the Aquatic category of the World Sports Photography Awards

2022 - First Prize 'Photography Portfolio' at the AIPS Sport Media Awards

2022 - honorable mention in the Women in Sports International Photo Awards

2022 - Finalist in Single Portrait at the 80th Pictures of the Year International

2022 - First Prize 'News Picture of the Year' at the SJA British Sports Journalism Awards

2022 - Shortlisted for 'Specialist Portfolio' and 'Canon Portfolio' at the SJA British Sports Journalism Awards

2022 - Commended in Regional Photographer of the Year at the UK Picture Editors’ Guild Awards

2021 - Award of Excellence in Olympic Life at the 79th Pictures of the Year International

2021 - Shortlisted for 'Sports News Picture' at the SJA British Sports Journalism Awards

2021 - Shortlisted for 'Olympic & Paralympic Portfolio' at the SJA British Sports Journalism Awards

2021 - Longlist for Sports Action at the AIPS Sport Media Awards

2020 - Third Prize 'Sports - Singles' award at the World Press Photo awards

2020 - Shortlisted for both News Photographer of the Year and Regional Photographer of the Year at the UK Picture Editors' Guild Awards

2020 - Award of Excellence in Sports Life at the 77th Pictures of the Year International

2019 - Silver Award in Away from the Action at the SJA Photography Awards

2018 - First Prize 'Sports - Singles' award at the World Press Photo awards

2017 - First Prize in Away from the Action at the SJA Photography Awards

2013 - First Prize: Live News in The Press Photographer's Year - Exhibited in the National Theatre, London

2012 - 2nd Prize Portraits, Photographer’s Giving Back Award

2012 - Shortlisted for Photojournalist of the Year - British Journalism Awards

2012 - Shortlisted for Business Photographer of the Year - UK Picture Editors' Guild

2012 - Highly Commended News Photographer of the Year - UK Picture Editors' Guild

2012 - Honourable Mention, Foto8 Summer Show

2011 - British Press Awards - Photographer of the Year

2011 - First Prize: News Folio of the Year in The Press Photographer's Year

2011 - Getty Images European News Photographer of the Year

2010 - Business Photographer of the Year - UK Picture Editors' Guild

2010 - First Prize: The Arts in The Press Photographer's Year Awards

2002 - NUS Student photographer of the year

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