About
Thaddeus Pope is a photographer, videographer, and website/print designer with a passion for human-centered visual storytelling. Originally from the UK, he is now based in Japan, where his work primarily explores Japanese culture, with a focus on the role of ritual and tradition in modern Japanese life.
Over the course of his career, Thaddeus has served as the principal photographer and designer for more than 70 international events across Asia, Europe, North America, and the Middle East. His clients include major organisations such as the Government of Japan, The Wall Street Journal, J. Walter Thompson, Merrill Lynch, the American Chamber of Commerce Japan (ACCJ), University College London (UCL), Virginia Tech, the Association for Asian Studies (AAS), Osaka University, the University of Hawaii, and the University of Barcelona. His photography has been featured in prominent publications, including Newsweek (Japan), Eye Magazine, APF Magazine, and The Japan Times. He has also worked as the Director of Photography on fundraising video projects for several NGOs, including the HOPE International Development Agency and the Pamulaan Center for Indigenous Peoples Education in the Philippines.
In 2015, Thaddeus became the Founding Creative Director of the IAFOR Documentary Photography Award, an international competition aimed at fostering the professional development of emerging documentary photographers and photojournalists. Between 2015 and 2019, the award distributed over $20,000 in prizes and provided recipients with mentorship and scholarship opportunities. The award was judged by a distinguished panel of renowned photographers and industry professionals, including Dr Paul Lowe as its Founding Judge, and Ed Kashi, Simon Roberts, Simon Norfolk, Emma Bowkett, Monica Allende, Jocelyn Bain Hogg, Maria Teresa Salvati, Ziyah Gafic, Poulomi Basu and Jenny Matthews as Guest Judges. It was supported by leading organisations such as World Press Photo, British Journal of Photography, Metro Imaging, Think Tank Photo, University of the Arts London, RMIT University, and MediaStorm.
Thaddeus holds a BA (Hons) in Photography from the London College of Communication, University of the Arts London, graduating in 2007. He is licensed to drive in both the UK and Japan and is a certified PADI Advanced Open Water Diver.
All images copyright © 2002-present, Thaddeus Pope. All rights reserved. Written permission is required prior to any usage.
Thaddeus Pope is available for assignments in Japan and around the world. If you would like to get in touch, please use the contact form or email info@thadpope.com.