Martin Parr captures the unglamorous reality of summer

Photographer Martin Parr is noted for his unique ability to capture the authentic, often unglamorous reality of summer and tourism. Rather than focusing on idealized vacation imagery, Parr’s work documents the mundane and uncomfortable aspects of seasonal travel, such as crowded beaches, sweating tourists, and hotel buffets.

Born in Epsom, Surrey, in 1952, Parr studied photography at Manchester Polytechnic before becoming a member of Magnum Photos in 1994. His photography examines the habits of a globalized society, finding extraordinary stories in everyday consumption, advertising, and the contradictions of modern leisure.