About Stu McKenzie
Stu McKenzie's lifelong passion for photography began during his formative years when he could invariably be found tinkering with the family camera. This early fascination with capturing moments would ultimately guide his remarkable journey into the world of professional photography.
Although Stu aspired to pursue formal photographic education, life's circumstances initially led him to tread a different path. In 1989, he embarked on a distinguished career in the Army. Stu seized every opportunity to deepen his photographic expertise, volunteering for assignments and courses that revolved around the art of photography. During one such course, Stu uncovered a hidden facet of the Army—a small, understated group of professional photographers. In 1998, McKenzie was officially appointed as an Army photographer after completing an intensive six-month photography program.
Over the course of a 24-year military career, with 15 years dedicated to photography, Stu McKenzie traversed the globe, capturing poignant images and footage while documenting military exercises and conflicts. His work found international recognition and was used by broadcasters and publications globally.
In 2009, Stu McKenzie added another feather to his cap by earning a Master's Degree in Documentary Practice from Brunel University. During the same year, the Imperial War Museum recognised his talents and commissioned him to create a documentary spotlighting the renowned Sir Don McCullin.
Upon concluding his military service, Stu transitioned to the prestigious BBC, where he was a Senior Camera Journalist. His tenure at the BBC saw him covering major global events, including the Paris Terrorist Attacks, the Migrant Crisis, and the Syrian conflict. Additionally, Stu spent two years stationed at the BBC's Moscow Bureau. In 2016, he embarked on a daring solo winter expedition, venturing 200 miles within the Arctic Circle to live with Reindeer Herders as they migrated south for the winter. The captivating body of work from this experience was exhibited in Cheltenham, United Kingdom.
In 2018, Stu McKenzie shifted gears in his photographic career, bidding adieu to the BBC to focus on long-term documentary photography projects and to contribute to the well-being of veterans grappling with mental health challenges. In 2023, Stu furthered his academic pursuits, attaining a Master's Degree with distinction in Documentary Photography and Photojournalism from the London College of Communication, part of the esteemed University of the Arts, London. His ongoing work encompasses powerful documentary narratives centred on refugees, childhood memories, and the unresolved case of Katrice Lee.
Stu lives with his beloved wife, Katarzyna, in the picturesque town of Malvern in the Midlands region of England.
