Tommy Lee Grimmer
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 awards such as the Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize (National Portrait Gallery) and the Portrait of Britain Award (British Journal of Photography). He has also authored two self-published photobooks: ‘Private and Confidential’ and ‘Southtown’.
In 2022, he graduated from the BA (Hons) Photography programme at Norwich University of the Arts, before continuing his studies on the renowned MA Photojournalism and Documentary Photography course at London College of Communication (University of the Arts London), from which he graduated in 2024. Since then, Tommy has lectured at a range of levels within further and higher education, both as a member of academic staff and as a guest lecturer.
Currently, Tommy is working on his latest long-term project, titled ‘The Great British Car Boot’ (WIP) alongside his ongoing research into practice-informed display methods.
studio@tommyleegrimmer.co.uk
CV
Qualifications
City & Guilds Award in Education and Training. City College Norwich, 2025.
Master of Arts Degree in Photojournalism and 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. [sold out]
‘Southtown’, Self-Published, 2022. [sold out]
Awards
Shortlisted - Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize, National Portrait Gallery, 2023.
Associate Distinction - The Royal Photographic Society, 2023.
Shortlisted - Portrait of Britain Award, British Journal of Photography, 2022.
Group Exhibitions
Black Shuck Festival: East Anglian Folk Tales - ‘The Witch’s Leg’. The Broad Street Gallery, Bungay, 2026.
Anteros Art Foundation: Anteros Folklore Festival - ‘The Witch’s Leg’. Anteros Arts Foundation, 11-15 Fye Bridge St, Norwich, 2026.
Gareth Gardner Gallery: DEVELOP+PRINT Group Zine/Photobook Exhibition - ‘Private and Confidential’. Gareth Gardner Gallery, Enclave 10, 50 Resolution Way, Deptford, London, 2024-25.
Photobook Café & Rapid Eye Darkrooms: Forbidden Land - ‘Blackened Soil’ from ‘Private and Confidential’. Photobook Café, 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, 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.
Norwich University of the Arts: Graduate Festival - ‘Portfolio’. St George’s Building, Norwich University of the Arts, Norwich, 2022.
New Beginnings: An Exhibition by the People of East Anglia - 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
Salón: Salón Spotlight Tommy Lee Grimmer Interview - ‘Zeke, Cafe 63’ from ‘The Independents’, ‘Private and Confidential’, ‘Pylons’ from ‘The Great British Car Boot’, and ‘Cameron’s Knuckles’ from ‘Great Yarmouth BikeLife’, 2026.
Eastern Daily Press: Yarmouth Oilskins celebrates 125 years - and a revival - ‘Everyone, Yarmouth Stores Ltd’ from ‘The Independents’, 2025.
Photobook Café & Rapid Eye Darkrooms: Forbidden Land Zine - ‘Blackened Soil’ from ‘Private and Confidential’, 2024.
Illuminate: Exposure 2.0 Zine - ‘Trickle Down’, ‘Watching‘ & ‘Revetments’ from ‘Private and Confidential’, 2024.
Eastern Daily Press: Photo exhibition celebrates the beauty of everyday life - ‘The Independents’, 2023.
Great Yarmouth Mercury: Great Yarmouth independent shops in photography exhibition - ‘The Independents’, 2023.
WorkHorse Collective: WerkHaus Zine #4: Wild Things - ‘Jason, Wild Water Swimming’, 2023.
Portrait of Britain: Volume 5, Hoxton Mini Press - ‘Lois & Nicola’, 2023.
Undercurrent Magazine: Issue 3 - ‘Southtown’, 2023.
The Pupil Sphere Graduate Showcase 2022 Zine - ‘Southtown’, 2022.
Free Range Festival - ‘Week 2 Publication’, 2022.
Storehouse Magazine: Issue 24 - ‘Great Yarmouth BikeLife’, 2022.
Mnngful Stories - Tommy Lee Grimmer: ‘Southtown’, 2022.
Storehouse Magazine: Issue 23 - ‘Forming Identity’, 2021.
Creatives Creating Conversation - ‘Interview with Tommy Lee Grimmer’, 2021.
Storehouse Magazine: Issue 22 - ‘Bias Nostalgia’, 2021.
Storehouse Magazine: Issue 21 - ‘Isolation Light’, 2020.
Motorcycle News: Meet the next generation stepping up to the #ride5000miles challenge - ‘Tori with her Suzuki SV650S’, 2019.
Lectureships
*Lecturer in Photography, Community and Adult Learning, The Place University and Adult Learning Centre, East Coast College, 2025-current.
Guest Lecturer, BA Photography, Norwich University of the Arts, 2026.
Guest Lecturer, Level 5 Creative Professional Development, Norwich University of the Arts, 2025.
Guest Lecturer, BA Photography, Norwich University of the Arts, 2025.
Guest Lecturer, Level 5 Creative Professional Development, Norwich University of the Arts, 2024.
Guest Lecturer, Level 2, 3 and BA Creative Students, East Coast College and University of Suffolk, 2024.
Guest Lecturer, MA and BA Photography, Norwich University of the Arts, 2024.
Workshops
Photographic Sequencing, BA Photography, Norwich University of the Arts, 2025.
Group Critique Sessions (3x), BA Photography, Norwich University of the Arts, 2023.
Other Engagements
Volunteer Photographer, Ceremony Portraits, St Nicholas Priory CE VA Primary School, 2019-26.
‘Private and Confidential’ Book Launch, Photobook Café, 2024.
Photographic Assistant to Denisa Ilie, Van Dal Shoes, 2024.
Competition Judge, National Awards, Access Creative College, 2023.
Photographic Assistant to Kane Layland, Belstaff Motorcycles, 2022.