Joyce Tenneson (born May 29, 1945) is an American fine art photographer known for her distinctive style of photography, which often involves nude or semi-nude women.

Biography

Tenneson earned her master's degree in photography from

George Washington University The George Washington University (GW or GWU) is a Private university, private University charter#Federal, federally-chartered research university in Washington, D.C., United States. Originally named Columbian College, it was chartered in 1821 by ...

after starting as a model for Polaroid. She left her job as a photography professor at 39, and moved from Washington D.C. to New York. Tenneson shoots primarily with the Polaroid 20x24 camera. In an interview with a photography magazine, Tenneson advised artists: "I very strongly believe that if you go back to your roots, if you mine that inner territory, you can bring out something that is indelibly you and authentic - like your thumbprint. It's going to have your style because there is no one like you." As a child, her parents worked on the grounds of a convent, which is where she grew up with her two sisters. She and her sister "were enlisted to be in holiday pageants and processions. It was a mysterious environment - something out of

Fellini Federico Fellini (; 20 January 1920 – 31 October 1993) was an Italian film director and screenwriter. He is known for his distinctive style, which blends fantasy and baroque images with earthiness. He is recognized as one of the greatest and ...

- filled with symbolism, ritual, beauty, and also a disturbing kind of surreal imagery." Her work has been displayed in more than 100 exhibitions around the world. Tenneson has had cover images on several magazines including ''

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Awards

In 1989, Tenneson received the "Infinity" award from the

International Center of Photography The International Center of Photography (ICP) is a photography museum and school at 84 Ludlow Street on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in New York City. ICP's photographic collection, reading room, and archives are at Mana Contemporary in Jer ...

, and in 1990 received Women in Photography International's "Photographer of the Year" award. In 2005, Tenneson received the Lucie Award for "Professional Fine Art Photographer of the Year." In 2012, Tenneson received the Lifetime Achievement Award from

Professional Photographers of America Professional Photographers of America (PPA) is a Nonprofit organization, nonprofit trade association of professional photographers. As of August 2022, PPA has 35,000 members. History 19th century The association began in December 1868 as the N ...

. In 2018, Tenneson received the Lucie Award for Achievement in Portraiture. In 2021, Tenneson was inducted into the

International Photography Hall of Fame The International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum in St. Louis, Missouri, honors those who have made great contributions to the field of photography. History In 1977, the first Hall of Fame and Museum opened in Santa Barbara, California, Sant ...

Books

*''In/Sights: Self-Portraits by Women'' (1978) *''Joyce Tenneson Photographs'' (1984) *''Au-delà'' (1989) *''Joyce Tenneson: Transformations'' (1993) *''Illuminations'' (1997) *''Light Warriors'' (2000) *''Wise Women: A Celebration of Their Insights, Courage, and Beauty'' (2002) *''Flower Portraits: The Life Cycle of Beauty'' (2003) *''Intimacy: The Sensual Essence of Flowers'' (2004) *''Amazing Men: Courage, Insight, Endurance'' (2004) *''Joyce Tenneson: A Life in Photography, 1968-2008'' (2008) *''Shells: Nature's Exquisite Creations'' (2011)

Major exhibitions

* ''Joyce Tenneson - Botanical Beauty'', Vanderbilt University Fine Arts Gallery, Nashville, TN (2018)

References

External links

Official site
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tenneson, Joyce 1945 births Living people American fine art photographers Artists from Maine Photographers from Maine 20th-century American women photographers 20th-century American photographers 21st-century American women

Biography

Awards

Books

Major exhibitions

References

Further reading

External links