Schoolboy's Love for Bob Marley Leads to Photography Profession after Ditching School for Marijuana-Fueled Photoshoot
Dennis Morris: A Photographic Journey Through Music and Life
Dennis Morris, a Jamaican-born photographer, has captivated audiences with his iconic images of reggae legend Bob Marley and other music icons. Born in 1960, Morris moved to London with his family at the age of six, where he would go on to make a significant impact on the music and photography industries.
Morris's love for photography began at the tender age of nine, when he witnessed the magic of the medium. This passion led him to skip school to attend Bob Marley and the Wailers' first UK tour, where he took one of his most iconic images with a Leica M3. This encounter forged a lasting bond between Morris and Marley, who he continued to photograph until shortly before Marley's death in 1981.
The tour, however, ended prematurely when band members Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer interpreted English snow as a sign from Rastafarian God Jah to return to Jamaica.
Morris's work has been widely celebrated, with his latest book and exhibition, "Dennis Morris: Music + Life," showcasing nearly 400 images. The exhibition, which runs at The Photographers' Gallery in London until 28 September 2025, features images of reggae artists, the Sex Pistols, Oasis, PiL, Marianne Faithfull, and more. It also includes three major documentary series: Growing Up Black, Southall: Home From Home, and This Happy Breed, a study of white working-class East London.
The exhibition was curated by Simon Baker, director of the Maison Européenne de la Photographie (MEP) in Paris. It first ran in Paris to huge acclaim, and previously ran at The Photographers’ Gallery in London until September 21, 2025. The exhibition stops around the '90s, marking a significant period in Morris's career.
Morris's work has been influenced by photojournalists Don McCullin and Robert Capa, and he has captured the essence of his surroundings in Hackney and Southall. He continues to be prolific in his photography career, now fully embracing digital photography while maintaining a film shooter's discipline.
Morris's career is a testament to breaking down barriers, a fact he is proud of. He won a school photo competition with a picture taken on a Kodak Brownie at the age of 11, and Donald Paterson, an entrepreneur who set up a camera club for choirboys at Morris's local church in Hackney, lent him a Leica M3.
Through his work, Morris has immortalised some of the most iconic moments in music history, and his exhibition "Music + Life" is a must-see for any photography or music enthusiast.
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