Jonathan Hodder is a British–Filipino street photographer whose lens captures more than moments—it documents movements. With a professional career rooted in international development and humanitarian work, Jonathan’s photography is not a detour from his mission, but a deepening of it. Based in Myanmar, where he currently leads digital transformation initiatives for the United Nations, Jonathan uses photography to translate urgency into empathy.
From the streets of Manila to the rural outskirts of the Pacific Islands, his images are bathed in the subtle interplay of color and shadow. This aesthetic approach mirrors the emotional duality present in much of his subject matter: hardship and hope, struggle and strength. His photographs have been featured in Vogue Magazine, The Independent, Philippine Star, Daily Inquirer, and more. As a Leica Ambassador, Jonathan brings not just prestige but precision to his work.
Each image in this PROFOLIO is a meditation on resilience. Whether it's novice monks resting against the echoes of distant shelling, or children finding joy in the chaos of Myanmar's Thingyan festival, Jonathan's work underscores the dignity that persists even in fractured settings. His goal, he says, is simple: to bear witness.
In the wake of the recent earthquake in Myanmar, Jonathan is also supporting a fundraising campaign through the UN to help rebuild homes in affected communities. While COOPH does not promote direct political or current-affairs campaigns, we recognize the deep impact of Jonathan’s photography in humanitarian spaces and encourage readers to learn more about the work being done.
Blood red sky - pagoda
Five crows dance in the blood-red sky above Shwedagon, Myanmar's largest and most revered pagoda,
Sleeping Monks
Novice monks sleep amidst the low roar of bomb shells dropped on the other side of the river.
Water Taxi Drivers
Boat taxi drivers navigate the muddy waters, ferrying Yangon’s workers from remote towns back to the city after long days of labor. As the sun sets, these silent journeys mirror the daily struggles of those who keep the city running.
Thingyan:
In the past, stepping out your door in mid-April in Myanmar was a conscious choice to get soaked. Thingyan, the country’s New Year festival, spares no one. Buckets, hoses, and water guns transform the streets into chaotic splash zones as people welcome the hottest days of summer with joy.
Given current, somber events, most this year chose quiet reflection over celebration. Still, a few parents and children on street corners found their way to find happiness despite the ongoing circumstances, offering a brief, bittersweet glimpse of what Thingyan used to be.
Kids climbing
Kids with the never say die attitude.
People walk through the Yangon light.
Summer Plunge.
Monks and birds
3 monks free themselves from the ties that bind, the day after the earthquake.
Follow Jonathan: Instagram: @jonathanhodder
