I have been photographing the everyday lives of teenagers in British working-class communities since 2004. Young people are the future of any society, yet many suffer from unequal opportunities in life. If they grow up in socially disadvantaged areas they have a difficult start through no fault of their own. Growing up in an insecure environment characterised by unemployment, crime and broken families also means more drug abuse, a higher suicide rate and a general lack of chances for young people. Breaking through this and offering them prospects is the duty of society as a whole.
Toby was born 1977 in Esslingen/Germany and studied at the Stuttgart Academy of Art and Design. Soon his photography focused on social, environmental and political topics. Based in Argentina and Germany he works both on assignments and personal projects. He is mostly interested in topics of post-war and crisis situations as well as in the daily life of people.
His work is published by Stern, Le Monde, The Guardian, The Washington Post, Zeit Magazin, Greenpeace Magazin, Amnesty Journal and others.
In March 2019 his first photo book „Wee Muckers – Youth of Belfast" was published by Kehrer
Awards 2020 2nd Price Gomma Grant
2nd Price LensCulture Street Photography Awards
2019 shortlist "Sony World Photo Awards"
shortlist "Open Walls" Arles
winner ZEKE Award of Social Documentary Network
winner Felix-Schoeller-Award
2018 2nd Price "Philip-Jones-Griffiths Award"
winner ProfiFoto / Canon "New-Talent-Award"
2017 nomination "Nannen-Preis"
shortlist "Sony World-Photo-Awards"
honorable Mention "UNICEF Photo of the Year"
shortlist "Felix-Schoeller-Award"
2nd Place "HIPA-Award"
2016 finalist "Luis Valtueña Award"
winner "Life Framer Award" Six Continents
shortlist "Alfred-Fried-Award"
nomination "Medienpreis der Kindernothilfe", Berlin
2014 shortlist "Alfred-Fried-Award"
2013 nomination "Medienpreis der Kindernothilfe"
2012 shortlist "Henri-Nannen-Preis"
2011 "Vattenfall Foto-Preis", C/O Berlin
2010 "Martin-Lagois-Preis"
