Tommy Lee Grimmer (b.1999) is an independent photographer and visual artist based in the East of England. His work gravitates around his connection to, and understanding of the British experience and the relationship we form with belonging.

Many images from Tommy’s archive have featured in publications and exhibitions all over the UK, as well as some receiving recognition within prestigious international awards such as the Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize (2023) by the National Portrait Gallery, and the Portrait of Britain Award (2022) by the British Journal of Photography. He is also the author of two self-published photobooks. His latest, Private and Confidential, addresses the power of private ownership through a medium of alternative digital printing.

Currently, Tommy is researching for his next long-form body of work.

Qualifications:

  • City & Guilds Award in Education & Training, City College Norwich (ongoing).

  • Master of Arts Degree in Photojournalism & Documentary Photography, University of the Arts London: London College of Communication (2024).

  • Bachelor of Arts Degree in Photography, Norwich University of the Arts (2022).

Publications:

  • Private and Confidential, Self-Published (2024).

  • Southtown, Self-Published (2022). [sold out]

Awards:

  • National Portrait Gallery, Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize - Shortlisted (2023).

  • The Royal Photographic Society - Associate Distinction (2023).

  • British Journal of Photography, Portrait of Britain Award - Shortlisted (2022).

Group Exhibitions:

  • Gareth Gardner Gallery: DEVELOP+PRINT Group Zine/Photobook Exhibition ‘Private and Confidential’ book. Gareth Gardner Gallery, Enclave 10, 50 Resolution Way, Deptford, London (2025 & 2024).

  • Photobook Cafe & Rapid Eye Darkrooms: Forbidden Land - ‘Blackened Soil’ from ‘Private and Confidential’. Photobook Cafe, 4 Leonard Circus, Shoreditch, London (2024).

  • Exposure 2.0 Gallery Exhibition - ‘Trickle Down’, ‘Watching‘ & ‘Revetments’ from ‘Private and Confidential’. Illuminate Studio, Unit 20, Brightwell Barns, Ipswich (2024).

  • Tommy Lee Grimmer & Barbara Laws: Portraits from Great Yarmouth [Commissioned by Utter Nonsense] - ‘The Independents’. PrimeYarc Gallery, Market Gates Shopping Centre, Great Yarmouth (2023).

  • Fujifilm Printlife Gallery Exhibition - ‘Amanda - Miss Voluptuous Finalist 2022’. The Photography Show, Stand J505, N.E.C. Birmingham (2022).

  • The Artist Support Centre: TASC at Hand 2022 - ‘Michael’s Hands’ from ‘Southtown’. The Muse Gallery & Studio, 269 Portobello Road, London (2022).

  • The Pupil Sphere Graduate Showcase 2022 - ‘Southtown’. Online (2022).

  • Free Range Graduate Showcase - ‘Kieran’ & ‘Carla’. The Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London (2022).

  • Grad Fest 22 - Portfolio. St George’s Building, Norwich University of the Arts, Norwich (2022).

  • New Beginnings - An Exhibition by the People of East Anglia. Produced by Creative Lives, BBC Radio Norfolk & BBC Radio Suffolk - ‘Chris & His Sons’ , ‘Kieron & His Parents’ from ‘Southtown’ . The Forum, Bethel Street, Millennium Plain, Norwich & Online (2022).

  • The Finding Emerson Open - ‘Dez’ from ‘Southtown’. PrimeYarc Gallery, Market Gates Shopping Centre, Great Yarmouth (2021).

  • Norwich University of the Arts Creative Voices Photography Exhibition. - ‘Tattoos’. Online (2021).

Press & Features:

  • Photobook Cafe & Rapid Eye Darkrooms: Forbidden Land Zine - ‘Blackened Soil’ from ‘Private and Confidential’ [Print] (2024).

  • Illuminate: Exposure 2.0 Zine - ‘Trickle Down’, ‘Watching‘ & ‘Revetments’ from ‘Private and Confidential’ [Print] (2024).

  • Eastern Daily Press: “Photo exhibition celebrates the beauty of everyday life” - ‘The Independents’ [Print] (2023).

  • Great Yarmouth Mercury: “Great Yarmouth independent shops in photography exhibition” - ‘The Independents’ [Print & Online] (2023).

  • WorkHorse Collective: WerkHaus Zine #4: Wild Things - ‘Jason, Wild Water Swimming’ [Print] (2023).

  • Portrait of Britain: Volume 5, Hoxton Mini Press - ‘Lois & Nicola’ [Print] (2023).

  • Undercurrent Magazine: Issue 3 - ‘Southtown’ [Print] (2023).

  • The Pupil Sphere Graduate Showcase 2022 Zine - ‘Southtown’ [Print] (2022).

  • Free Range Festival - ‘Week 2 Publication’ [Print] (2022).

  • Storehouse Magazine: Issue 24 - ‘Great Yarmouth BikeLife’ [Print] (2022).

  • Mnngful Stories - Tommy Lee Grimmer: ‘Southtown’ [Online & Virtual Newsletter] (2022).

  • Storehouse Magazine: Issue 23 - ‘Forming Identity’ [Print & Online] (2021).

  • Storehouse Magazine: Issue 22 - ‘Bias Nostalgia’ [Print & Online] (2021).

  • Storehouse Magazine: Issue 21 - ‘Isolation Light’ [Online] (2020).

Guest Lectures:

  • Norwich University of the Arts - BA Photography Students (2025).

  • Norwich University of the Arts - Level 5 Creative Professional Development Students (2024).

  • East Coast College - Level 2, 3 & BA (University of Suffolk) Creative Students (2024).

  • Norwich University of the Arts - BA & MA Photography Students (2024).

Workshops:

  • Visiting Artist - Sequencing Workshop for BA Photography Students. Norwich University of the Arts (2025).

  • Recurring Visiting Artist - Group Critique Sessions for BA Photography Students. Norwich University of the Arts (2023).

Other Engagements:

  • Book Launch - ‘Private and Confidential’. Photobook Cafe London (2024).

  • Photographic Assistant - Van Dal Shoes. Photographer: Denisa Ilie (2024).

  • Competition Judge - National Awards. Access Creative College (2023).

  • Photographic Assistant - Belstaff Motorcycles. Photographer: Kane Layland (2022).

Get In Touch:

  • tommyleegrimmer@gmail.com


[ All rights reserved by Tommy Lee Grimmer ]