Carlos Biggemann

Carlos Biggemann was born in Bolivia and has lived in the coastal city of Dunedin, New Zealand since 2006. His passion for photography began as he experimented with light and movement while still at high school. Following his passion, he obtained a Certificate in Digital Photography at Aoraki Polytechnic in 2012. Carlos’ photographic career includes acting as Special Olympics official photographer at regional and international Special Olympics competitions. Carlos was also an official photographer at the National Down Syndrome Achievement Award ceremony held in Wellington at the Parliament House. He was an accredited photographer at the Carnaval de Oruro in Bolivia, and a photographer for noted New Zealand milliner Lindsay Kenneth for his hat fashion show, and appointed photographer for the book A Passion for Fashion, a biography of Lindsay Kenneth by Hilary Hunt. Carlos presented five exhibitions, three in Bolivia and two in New Zealand. Carlos’s work was recognised internationally in the My Perspective Contest in London. In 2014 his photograph “Spread Your Wings Little One” was a nominated finalist among close to 300 images submitted. In 2015 his photograph “A Journey Never Ends” was one of 25 shortlisted images out of more than 250 submissions. In 2016 his photograph “Colours of Fire” was awarded second place, and with the same image Carlos was the first recipient of the Stephen Thomas award — the prize was delivered in London by Dame Judi Dench. In 2018 his photograph “Autumn Trees” won the People’s Choice award, and in 2020 his photograph “Snowy Morning” was Finalist. At the World Down Syndrome Congress in July 2018 in Glasgow, UK, Carlos delivered a presentation entitled “Down Syndrome is not a disability, disability is not to try.” In 2021 Attitude Pictures made a documentary about Carlos, his life and photography, and the development of the book CUMULUS: an anthology of skies. Carlos lives with his whole heart.