About Kurt Vinion

Journey into photography

Kurt’s path began at university when the student newspaper asked him to become its photo editor. He stepped in, fell in love with the craft, and switched from Electrical Engineering to photojournalism. A year later, he transferred to Western Kentucky University to focus on photojournalism and fine arts — studying alongside future industry leaders in one of America’s most respected programs.

Before his final year at Western Kentucky, Kurt was appointed Director of Photography at the University of Louisville Athletic Department — one of America’s top-10 athletic programs. For nearly five years, he shot thousands of action images across football, basketball, baseball, and track, as well as staff and student headshots and on-location portraits for faculty and leadership. 

As Assistant Sports Information Director, he art-directed media guides, posters, PR campaigns, and calendars that defined the university’s visual identity across every communications channel — from donor relations and recruitment to national media coverage. It was a complete education in institutional visual communications at the highest level, and it remains the foundation of his approach to education, seminar, and conference photography today.

During his time at UofL, Kurt freelanced for major publications and agencies, covering landmark events including the Kentucky Derby, Breeders' Cup, PGA Tiger Woods Event, NFL, NBA, and the Muhammad Ali Foundation — serving as official photographer for several. He also assisted Dan Dry, one of America’s most decorated photographers, with over 500 accolades, who reinforced a defining philosophy: that talented photographers deliver stunning results regardless of the challenge.

Those high-stakes event skills now directly inform his MICE photography — conferences, trade shows, and incentive events — where he consistently delivers 250+ brand-ready images within 24 hours.

After capturing sports, PR, and portraits in the United States, a photojournalism career took him across Europe and the globe to document the world’s most significant news stories. Events have remained a constant passion throughout.

Recognised as a photographer’s photographer, Kurt has mentored assistants who have gone on to build careers in New York City, Louisville, and Prague. He continues to mentor emerging photographers while staying fully engaged with the ever-evolving digital landscape.

With over 20 years in editorial and commercial photography, Kurt prioritises every client’s goals, brand, and vision — creating clean, emotive images that not only showcase subjects visually but capture how a moment truly feels.

Recognition & credentials

• Competition judge: Press Photographers' Association of Greater Los Angeles, 2023
• Sports Photographer of the Year award recipient
• Multiple award winner, Czech Press Photo
• Several First Place awards, National Press Photographers Association (NPPA)
• Hearst Journalism Award recipient
• Solo and group photography exhibitions in New York, Louisville, and Prague
• Formerly represented by Getty Images and Orchard Photography — delivering editorial imagery to international publications and agencies
• Published in newspapers and magazines internationally

• Studio and location photography across advertising, product, and portrait disciplines
• Director of Photography, University of Louisville Athletic Department — art-directed institutional visual communications across athletics, PR, recruitment, and donor relations
• University Relations Student Photographer, Western Kentucky University —  capturing every facet of student life as well as university events.
  

Brands

Both Prague Photographer and Kurt Vinion Photography are operated by Kurt Vinion, a photographer based in Prague.