Jonathan Funk is a freelance photographer and journalist based in Mannheim & Hannover.
His work focuses on long-term documentary projects, reportage and portraiture, exploring cultural, political and humanitarian topics.
With a background in social work and roots in a working-class family, he explores the social and political dimensions of society through his work. His self-taught practice has shaped a visual language that places personal stories within broader social contexts, captures calm landscapes and challenges established narratives.
His work has been published in newspapers and magazines, was awarded and exhibited internationally. He is currently studying Documentary Photography and Photojournalism at Hanover University of Applied Sciences and Arts.
He is available for assignments.
Foto: Rafael Heygster
Awards & Mentions:

2026 Ji Reh û Ewran - Award of Excellence - Portrait - CPOY
2026 Ji Reh û Ewran - Grant Winner - VGH Fotopreis
2026 World Report Award - Student - Shortlist
2026 Hamburg Portfolio Review - Participant
2026 True Picture Award - nominee
2025 Leica Oskar Barnack Award (Newcomer) - nominee
2025 True Picture Award - nominee
2024 Ortskontrollfahrt - Nikon Fotobus Grant - Shortlist
2024 Ortskontrollfahrt  - VGH Fotopreis - Finalist
2024 Portfolio Walk Freundeskreis der Fotografie - Deichtorhallen Hamburg - Participant
2024 Artist Talk - Reiss Engelhorn Museum Mannheim - Forum International Photography

Exhibitions:

2027 tba
2027 Ortskontrollfahrt - Galerie 05  -  Hans Böckler Foundation - Düsseldorf
2026 Ortskontrollfahrt - Göthe Institute Lyon - Biennale d’art contemporain de Lyon 
2026 Ortskontrollfahrt - Shift / Triennale der Fotografie Hamburg - Gleishalle Hamburg
2025 Ortskontrollfahrt -  Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation - Paris Photo
2025 Les Rencontres d’Arles — Fotobus Society Screening, Arles, France

2025 Ortskontrollfahrt - mainexhibition at OFF Foto Festival Mannheim
2025 what happens in the meantime - outdoor exhibition - Hannover
2025 Images of a region - bloq groupexhibition - OFF Fotofestival Mannheim
2024 Ortskontrollfahrt - VGH Fotopreis - Finalist - GAF Hannover
2023 D.I.Y. – Facetten der Selbstverwaltung
2023 VOR ORT – Kunstverein Mannheim
2022 Tracing West – CommunityartCenter Mannheim
2022 Frische Kunst – CommunityartCenter Mannheim
2022 Bubble Trouble – Biennale für aktuelle Fotografie - Wilhelm Hack Museum Ludwigshafen
Clients:

ZEIT
SPIEGEL
Süddeutsche Zeitung
der Freitag
TAZ - die Tageszeitung
Fluter Magazin
Dummy Verlag
WOZ - die Wochenzeitung
Bloq Magazine
BTA Agency
Mannheimer Morgen
Verdi
Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund
City of Mannheim
and others...