Colleagues and friends remember Christian Paul Lowe, the award-winning photographer, acclaimed lecturer, and academic, died at age 60 on October 12th in Los Angeles, California.
By Liv Watts and Libby Cameron
Paul Lowe described himself as “a living historian” – he witnessed events that have profoundly shaped today’s sociopolitical landscape.
Great, transformative events of the late 20th century will be remembered through his work. He was on the first flight to Berlin when news of the wall falling broke, covering this as his first major story, featuring in The Telegraph.
He further went on to document Nelson Mandela’s release from prison, the gradual fall of the Iron Curtain across eastern Europe and even the charged and devout atmosphere of a Scottish Old Firm game.
Such works will remain his legacy, though what truly cemented him as an outstanding photojournalist was his testimony of the Balkan wars.
Paul arrived in Bosnia’s capital, Sarajevo in 1992, a time of populist violence throughout Yugoslavia. Unlike many other photographers and reporters of conflict, he stayed throughout the siege and thereafter, meeting the woman who would later become his wife, a Bosnian national and Reuters reporter, Amra Abadzic.
This personal connection to what became his second home is evidenced in the pictures from the time: a deep sense of sensitivity and empathy.
Paul saw the Sarajevo siege as much more than just another story to report. In the conclusion of his co-authored 2020 book, Reporting the Siege of Sarajevo he recalls foreign correspondents returning to or staying in Sarajevo “for personal and professional reasons.
Close friendships, marriages, the adoption of children and a bond with the city and its people developed, bonds that for Lowe himself would last a lifetime.
Reflecting on the type of character that Paul was, Kenneth Morrison, co-author of Reporting the Siege of Sarajevo, told us: “While I, too, will remember him for his work, his undoubted talents and his brilliance as an academic colleague, it was as a friend that Paul became such a central figure in my own life.
“We worked together, we wrote together, we laughed together, we teased each other and almost certainly annoyed each other, as only real friends can and do. Put simply, my life will be one less rich, less dynamic and, of course, less fun without Paul.”
Born in London in 1963 before moving and growing up in Liverpool as an only child, Paul attended St. Edwards College, a catholic grammar school. He later moved to Lancashire where he finished his schooling at Darwen Vale Comprehensive, before securing a scholarship to study history at Clare College, Cambridge University.
As a congratulatory gift from his mother, he was given a SLR camera. Little was it known at the time the events this lens would witness. He was soon a go-to photographer for student publications such as Varsity, sparking Paul’s interest and commitment to telling human stories through photographs.
Paul felt himself morally torn at times and questioning the boundaries of his role: “People ask why didn’t you pick up the starving child, but if you’re there as a journalist or photographer, it’s your job as a professional witness to record as authentically as you can what’s going on. Our job is not to be aid workers.”
Paul was committed to showcasing the extortionary, and often inhumane happenings to ordinary people. He believed in the power of photography for provoking interest and outrage from the public, something that mere numbers and statistics can never achieve.
Paul’s photographs have a special quality of evoking empathy from the viewer, helping those far removed understand the utter devastation of war.
In the words of his former colleague and friend, Lara Regan: “[His] generosity of spirit coursed through everything he did as a photographer, author and educator; it was immediately apparent from our fascinating conversations that his interest in photography was not coming from a competitive careerist but from the fine mind of someone intensely interested in the nature of photography itself and its power to illuminate truth.”
“He was one of those rare souls with whom you felt seen and appreciated, who lifted you away from cynicism into light,” she added.
This devotion to best practice was imperative to Paul who took the ethics of photojournalism earnestly into his teaching. As a former History and Philosophy student he was aware not just how history would be remembered through the pictures he took but also his place as a witness and the ethical considerations he must promote.
Though sustaining a successful career as a photojournalist spanning over 30 years, Paul was also a renowned educator with an infectious passion for his field. A valued member of teaching staff at University of the Arts London since 2005, Paul covered photojournalism in various forms, going on to run an MA in Photojournalism and Documentary Photography. Paul was also regular a guest lecturer at Kings College London for war studies.
Among those who mourn the memory of Paul are many students and staff who had the pleasure of learning alongside him. Former associate lecturer at London College of Communication, Tom Seymour who describes Paul as “part of a great generation of great documentary photographers,” and explained that “Paul was a warm, gentle, welcoming guy with a very soft unassuming style to him. He made you feel comfortable in his presence almost immediately.
“He was just very interested in people. I think part of the reason why he became such a great educator after such a successful career in journalism is because he just had a natural empathy, interest and ability to connect with people, and that was so obvious when you met him.”
Whilst Paul leaves a great legacy in war reporting, his method of teaching was always sure to leave space for people to pave their own paths: “He was very interested in helping people find their own path and explore their own creative journey […] he was incredibly supportive and open to pursuing those different interpretations to what documentary and filmmaking could be,” Tom told us.
“One of the things I did for [Paul] when I was at LCC was do a series of portfolio reviews for students who were about to graduate from the course […] One of the students was visually impaired.
“If you’re visually impaired and want to be a photographer, you would think that might impact on your ability to pursue a career in it, especially in a competitive and unforgiving industry. But [Paul] called me beforehand, and it struck me how serious he was about supporting her and taking not just her practice, but her aspirations very seriously. That summed up just what kind of person he was,” Tom recalled.
“His death is a huge loss for anyone interested in photography and anyone interested in education in London. One thing that we can do as a community to remember him is maintain that interest in other people’s passion for photography whoever they are.”
Alongside supporting his students, Paul was also largely involved in VII Foundation, an organisation committed to equipping visual journalists underrepresented in the media. Its director, Ron Haviv has addressed their grief.
“Paul’s death is a loss that will be felt throughout the photo community and beyond. He did so much for so many in pursuit of justice and truth with just a camera in hand […]. We always spoke about impact with our work, and with both his own images and those that he inspired and taught, the world is a better place today. He will be greatly missed.”
Paul Lowe was found dead on October 12, 2024, on a popular hiking trail in California. His teenage son has been charged with his murder.
Though gone far too soon, Paul’s dedication and commitment to photography and journalism will impact the industry for decades to come. The difference he made to the world will live on in his legacy and his photographs.
Put simply by fellow lecturer at London College of Communication and friend, Russell Merryman: “Paul was a pioneering photojournalist and committed educator who dedicated his career to showing the world the real impact of war on ordinary people. His work highlighted the compassion and resilience of humanity in the face of evil, and the challenges involved in finding peace and reconciliation afterwards. He will be sorely missed.”
Featured image courtesy of Justin McKie/ The VII Foundation