About
Biography
Jess Hurd is a London‑based photojournalist and campaigning photographer whose work bridges documentary storytelling and social justice. Since going freelance in 2001, she has collaborated with campaigning organisations, NGOs, trade unions, and alternative media to cover stories and issues often underrepresented in the mainstream press.
Her practice spans national and international spheres. She has documented grassroots movements and uprisings across the globe, including in Egypt, Venezuela, Mexico, Brazil, India, China, and parts of Africa, foregrounding local voices and struggles in global narratives.
Passionate about press freedom, Jess is one of the founders of the “I’m a Photographer Not a Terrorist” campaign, which pushes back on police repression and the criminalisation of journalism. She is a member of both the National Union of Journalists and the International Federation of Journalists.
Her client list reflects the range of causes she supports: from Amnesty International, Reuters, The Guardian, and global justice organizations — to trade unions, public health, and debt justice campaigns. She often works on photo‑essays and visual reports aligned with social, political, and environmental justice themes.
Jess’s work has been shown in exhibitions and presentations in academic, gallery, and activist spaces. She has lectured and exhibited at venues including Goldsmiths, the Pitt Rivers Museum, Four Corners, Tate Exchange, and regional universities. She has also participated in themed shows such as “Photographing Protest,” “Resistance,” and “20 Years of Stop the War.”
In addition to gallery exhibitions, Jess has delivered talks on photography practice, urban cultures, and journalism at institutions such as Nottingham Trent University, Kingston University, University of Ulster, and more.
Despite her wide ranging work, Jess continues to root her practice in activism and accountability. Her photographic vision interrogates systems of power, elevates often marginalised narratives, and seeks to reinforce the role of the image in progressive change.
Commissioning clients include: Trade Union Congress, Amnesty International, Guardian, Parkinson’s UK, Reuters, Prison Officers Association, Environmental Health News, 38 Degrees, Global Justice Now, The Times, The Countryside Charity, UNISON, Jubilee Debt Campaign, UNITE the UNION, Another Europe is Possible, Fire Brigades Union, Haldane Society, Public and Commercial Services Union, Garden Court Chambers, National Education Union, Africa Progress Panel, Patriotic Millionaires, Tax Justice UK, Remain, Nautilus International, Positive Money, Transport & Salaried Staff Association, Chartered Society of Physiotherapists, Communication Workers Union, GMB, Action Aid, UCU,Prospect, HCSA, UNIONS 21, Anti Acadamies Alliance, NLGN, Palestine Solidarity, RCM, IPPR, Justice Alliance, Philosophy Football, CAAT, Royal Society of Podietrists, Quakers.
DATA PROTECTION – see below
Exhibitions/Talks:
Photography and Urban Cultures Lecture – Goldsmiths, University of London – 29 March 2023
Un-asked photography exhibition – Brew-Tang, Manchester – March 2023
The Resistance Exhibition – Space Generators Soho Studio: 17-19 Archer St. Soho London W1D 7AP 2-8 PM, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, June 10,11 &12th 2022
Photographing Protest: resistance through a feminist lens, Exhibition, Four Corners 18 March – 30 April 2022
Hands Off Our Citizens – Stop The Nationality Bill Exhibition, Mayfield House, London, E2 9LJ 06 March 2022
20 Years of Stop the War – A Visual Retrospective – Exhibition Bow Arts Nunnery Gallery, London. 8-19th September 2021
Exhibition – Nottingham Trent University – TBC 2020
Lecture MA Documentary & Ma Magazine Journalism – Nottingham Trent University – 19th Feb 2020
The Calais Jungle and Beyond – Special Exhibition Gallery, The Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford 15thJune – 29th November 2019
Dale Farm – The Eviction – Tate Exchange, Tate Modern 5-9th June 2019
Lecture MA Documentary & Ma Magazine Journalism – Nottingham Trent University – 6th March 2019
Kingston University Lecture – Photography – April 2019
Resistance Exhibition – Carnaby Street & touring – Autumn 2017
Dig The Pockets, fundraiser/auction – Hundred Years Gallery – 25th June 2017
Colchester School of Art, Colchester Institute Talk – 27th March 2017
Resistance! Exhibition – Hive Dalston – 11th December 2016
Bullying & Blacklisting Conference exhibition – Greenwich University – 16th September 2016
#No Dust – Event Conway Hall – EU Referendum slideshow – 5th September 2016
Voices for Justice, Save Legal Aid – Rally Conway Hall – Campaign slideshow – 6th January 2016
Scroogeonomics – Rich Mix – Photo review of the Year – 19th December 2015
Eyes Left – An Illustrated Marx House Series – Marx House – 2nd July 2015
Resistance Is Fertile – OVADA Gallery, Oxford – Photography Exhibition/Talk 6-28th June 2015
Fighting for Press Freedom – National Union of Journalists HQ – 28th April 2015
Focus E15 * REAL ESTATES * – PEER Gallery – 18-21 March 2015
Global Journalism Lecture – Nottingham Trent University – 11th March 2015
Viscom Talk – Birmingham City University – 2nd March 2015
Photography Symposium – Keynote Speaker, University of Ulster – Jan 2015
Watch Honeycomb Creative Works interview here
We Could Not Agree – Frieze Week Exhibition, Cavendish Sq
Oxford Human Rights Festival – Talk/Exhibition
International Day Against Police Brutality photo slideshow – all day event at SOAS
Tweet-Me-Up! – Photography exhibition – Tate Modern
Netroots – A decade of Activism – Marble Hall, Congress House
Signs of Revolt – The Old Truman Brewery
Benefit Gaza – The Cockpit Theatre
Taking The Streets – Global Protest – Solo Show – Usurp Gallery
Six Billion Ways – Rich Mix
I’m a Photographer Not a Terrorist! – The Foundry
European Social Forum – exhibition/curator – Alexandra Palace – October 2004
Rebel Flowers…Fields of Resistance – Solo Show – The Foundry – August 2005
Crisis – Joint Exhibition – The Foundry – Alke Schmidt – July 2002
Kebel Portrait Awards Exhibition – National Portrait Gallery 2002 – Image of Carlo Guiliani
DATA PROTECTION
1. Jess Hurd is based in the UK and uses and retain information for business and professional purposes in line with UK data protection regulations.
2. Consent is sought wherever and whenever possible and required. However, information may be held for journalistic, literary or artistic purposes where consent is not required and the right to freedom of expression is recognised by UK data protection regulations.
3. Jess Hurd will only disclose personal information where required to do so by law.
4. Reasonable technical and organisational precautions are taken to prevent the loss, misuse or alteration of personal data. All information provided is stored on secure servers and devices.
5. Users may request copies of personal information subject to persons providing appropriate evidence of identity – such as a copy of the photo pages of a passport certified by a solicitor or bank plus a copy of a utility bill showing your current address. Information may be withheld within legal limits.
6. No responsibility is accepted for the content, privacy policies or practices of other websites.
7. Please inform Jess Hurd if personal information needs correcting or updating.
8. Queries about this policy and data retention should be sent to Jess Hurd – Data Controller: jess@jesshurd.com ICO registration reference: ZA362296