Naomi Harris facts for kids

Naomi Harris (born May 26, 1973) is a Canadian photographer. She lives in Toronto, Canada. She is well-known for taking pictures of people from different groups with unique interests or lifestyles.

About Naomi Harris

Naomi Harris was born in Toronto. She earned a degree in Fine Arts from York University. After that, she moved to New York City. There, she studied photography at the International Center of Photography.

Many of her projects involved long road trips. These trips led to special art shows and books. Her photos have appeared in famous magazines. These include the New York Times Magazine and Vice. Naomi also taught classes at the International Center of Photography.

The Haddon Hall Hotel Project

In 1999, Naomi Harris moved to Miami Beach. She started a project about the last hotel in South Beach for senior citizens. She lived there for two months. She got to know the residents and became like a "granddaughter" to them.

This project was called "Haddon Hall Hotel." It won an award in Germany in 2001. The photos showed how the older people lived. They captured their quiet moments and memories. The pictures used bright Miami colors. They were described as unique and a bit unusual in style.

Oh Canada! Road Trip

In 2010, Naomi received a grant to travel across Canada. She drove along the Trans-Canada Highway. She took pictures of everyday Canadians and interesting sights. These included a giant coffee pot!

Her journey started on May 23, 2011, in Victoria, British Columbia. It ended on September 5, 2011, in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. This trip from west to east let her meet many different people. She said that photographers have a duty to show people's stories in a way they would like. Her photos were shown in Toronto. They were also featured in Canadian news, like Maclean's magazine.

EUSA Exhibition

Naomi Harris's EUSA exhibition explored how cultures mix and spread. It took place in Toronto in 2015. The photos showed European-themed places in America. They also showed American-themed places in Europe. This made it hard to tell the two continents apart.

For example, she photographed a rockabilly festival in Hungary. She also captured "Danish Days" in California. Naomi noted that these themed places were not always accurate. She said they were like a tribute to a heritage that wasn't truly their own. A book called "E.U.S.A." was published in 2018.

100 Days Project

In 2017, Naomi spent three months driving across the United States. She was taking photos for Vice magazine. Her goal was to photograph supporters of former president Donald Trump. She started in Washington D.C. and drove south and then west.

She often slept in her car in Walmart parking lots. Many people she photographed held her pet dog. Naomi was surprised by what she found. Many supporters were not very hopeful about Trump. They seemed more tired of the whole political process. An exhibit of her "100 Days" photos was held in New York City.

Other Photography Journeys

In 2018, Naomi Harris went on another special journey. This time, she traveled across Ontario, Canada. She wore old-fashioned clothes. She recreated 19th-century canoe trips. These trips were taken by a painter named Frances Anne Hopkins and fur traders.

Naomi helped paddle the canoe. She also helped with "portage." This means carrying the canoe over dry land when needed. This art project received funding from the Canada Council for the Arts.

Awards and Recognition

• 2001 - Honorable Mention for Yann Geffroy Award (Italy)
• 2001 - Finalist for the W. Eugene Smith Grant
• 2001 - Winner of the International Prize for Young Photojournalism (Germany)
• 2002 - Named one of the "30 Emerging Photographers To Watch" by Photo District News
• 2004 - Represented Canada at the World Press Joop Swart Masterclass in Amsterdam
• 2010 - Received a Canada Council for the Arts Project Grant