Laura Morton
Born in Maryland, she attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated with a degree in Political Science and Journalism. She moved to San Francisco in 2006 and has been based there ever since.
Since 2014, she has been documenting the economic boom in the Silicon Valley technology industry and the culture that has sprung up around it with her on-going project “Wild West Tech,” which was initially financed with support from the Magnum Foundation Emergency Fund grant. In 2022, she received the Pierre & Alexandra Boulat Award to continue this work. The project is on-going and is now focused on the individuals behind the development of artificial intelligence.
Other projects exploring the intersection of economic issues and culture include “The Social Stage” on San Francisco’s high society lifestyle, “University Avenue,” which was awarded the 2018 Canon Female Photojournalist Award, and an on-going project on San Francisco’s principal tourist destination, Fisherman’s Wharf, which was funded with the National Geographic Society’s Emergency Fund for Journalists.
Laura has worked with publications such as National Geographic Magazine, German GEO, Marie Claire, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, 6 Mois, Newsweek Japan and many others.
Morton is continuing her long-term project America’s Homecoming, which explores what unites Americans across diverse regional cultures amid increasing political and social division. By documenting annual traditions and festivals that celebrate local heritage and shared national identity, Morton’s work visualizes both regional uniqueness and collective symbols. “Morton’s photographs have a wonderful sense of place and are unified by her quirky, insightful visual style,” said the jurors. “Her exploration of American community traditions during this time of division offers a valuable and timely perspective.”
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