Alec Soth Bio, Wiki, Age, Height, Wife, Children, Work, Mississippi, Niagara, Salary, and Net Worth

Alec Soth Biography

Alec Soth is an American photographer and author who was born and brought up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America. He is widely known for his “large-scale American projects” featuring the midwestern United States. His work tends to focus on the “off-beat, hauntingly banal images of modern America” according to The Guardian art critic Hannah Booth.

Alec is a member of Magnum Photos, an international photographic cooperative owned by its photographer-members, with offices in New York City, Paris, London, and Tokyo. New York Times art critic Hilarie M. Sheets wrote that he has made a “photographic career out of finding chemistry with strangers” and photographs “loners and dreamers”.

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10 Quick Facts About Alec Soth

1. Name: Alec Soth
2. Age: 54 Years (As of 2023)
3. Birthday: 30 December
4. Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
5. Height: Average
6. Nationality: American
7. Occupation: Photographer and Author
8. Marital Status: Married
9. Salary: Under Review
10. Net worth: $800,000

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Alec Soth Age

Soth is 54 years old as of 2023, he was born on 30 December 1969, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. He celebrates his birthday on 30 December every year and his birth sign is Capricorn.

Alec Soth Height

Soth stands at an average height. He appears to be quite tall in stature if his photos, relative to his surroundings, are anything to go by. However, details regarding his actual height and other body measurements are currently not publicly available. We will update this section when the information is available.

Early Life and Education

Soth was born on May 19, 1969, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He grew up in a middle-class family in the suburbs of the city, and he became interested in photography at an early age. Soth studied at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York, where he earned a degree in English literature.

After college, Soth worked as a freelance photographer for several years, taking on assignments for newspapers and magazines. He also began to develop his own personal projects, which often focused on the people and landscapes of the American Midwest.

Soth continued to refine his craft and to gain recognition for his work, and he eventually became one of the most respected photographers of his generation.

Rise to Fame

Soth’s rise to fame began with the publication of his first photobook, “Sleeping by the Mississippi,” in 2004. The book, which was published by Steidl, featured a series of large-format color photographs that Soth had taken during a series of road trips along the Mississippi River.

The book was a critical and commercial success, and it quickly established Soth as one of the most important photographers of his generation. His work was praised for its intimacy, its attention to detail, and its ability to capture the complex and often melancholic mood of life in the American Midwest.

Over the next several years, Soth continued to produce a series of acclaimed photobooks, including “NIAGARA” (2006), “Broken Manual” (2010), and “Songbook” (2015). His work was exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, and he received numerous awards and accolades, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, a McKnight Photography Fellowship, and the Deutsche Börse Photography Prize.

Today, Soth is widely regarded as one of the most important photographers of his generation, and his work continues to inspire and influence a new generation of photographers.

Alec Soth Family, Parents

Soth was born and raised by his parents in Minnesota. Our efforts to find out more about his family came to no avail as no such information is publicly available. Thus, the identity of Alec’s parents is still unclear. It is also not known if he has any siblings. We will update this section once this information is available.

Alec Soth Wife

Soth is currently married to his wife Rachel Cartee Soth. The couple lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota their children.

Alec Soth Salary

Details about Soth’s salary are not yet disclosed. However, information about how much he makes will be updated as soon as it is available.

Alec Soth Net Worth

Soth has an estimated net worth of $800,000 dollars as of 2023. This includes his assets, money and income. His primary source of income is his career as a photographer and author. Through his various sources of income, Alec has been able to accumulate a good fortune but prefers to lead a modest lifestyle.

Alec Soth Measurements and Facts

Here are some interesting facts and body measurements you should know about Alec.

Alec Soth Wiki

• Full Names: Alec Soth
• Popular As: Alec
• Gender: Male
• Occupation / Profession: Photographer and Author
• Nationality: American
• Race / Ethnicity: Not Available
• Religion: Not Known
• Sexual Orientation: Straight

Alec Soth Birthday

• Age / How Old?: 54 years (2023)
• Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
• Date of Birth: 30 December 1969
• Place of Birth: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
• Birthday: 30 December

Alec Soth Body Measurements

• Body Measurements: Not Available
• Height / How Tall?: Average
• Weight: Moderate
• Eye Color: Brown
• Hair Color: Black
• Shoe Size: Not Available

Alec Soth Family and Relationship

• Father (Dad): Not Known
• Mother: Not Known
• Siblings (Brothers and Sisters): Not Known
• Marital Status: Married
• Wife/Spouse: Married to Rachel Cartee Soth
• Dating / Girlfriend: Not Applicable
• Children: Names Not Known

Alec Soth Net Worth and Salary

• Net Worth: $800,000
• Salary: Under Review
• Source of Income: Photographer and Author

Alec Soth Career

Alec’s career as a photographer has spanned several decades and has included numerous personal projects, exhibitions, and publications. He is best known for his large-format color photographs of American landscapes, portraits, and documentary subjects, which often explore themes of human relationships, community, and identity.

After the success of his first book, “Sleeping by the Mississippi,” Alec continued to produce a series of acclaimed photobooks, including “NIAGARA” (2006), which explored the complexities of love and desire in the American Midwest, and “Broken Manual” (2010), which documented the lives of people who choose to live off the grid.

In addition to his work as a photographer, Alec has also been involved in teaching and mentorship. He has taught photography workshops around the world and has been a visiting artist at several universities and institutions, including Harvard University, Yale University, and the San Francisco Art Institute.

Alec has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the field of photography, including the Infinity Award for Art from the International Center of Photography, the Hasselblad Foundation Award, and the Deutsche Börse Photography Prize.

Alec’s work has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, and his photographs are held in the collections of several major institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Alec Soth Publications

Publications by Soth | Alec Soth Sleeping By The Mississippi Book

• Sleeping by the Mississippi. With essays by Patricia Hampl and Anne Wilkes Tucker and “Selected Notes to the Photographs”.
• Niagara. Göttingen: Steidl, 2008. ISBN 978-3865212337. Photographs by Alec Soth, essays by Richard Ford, “1962”, and Philip Brookman, “Over the Rainbow: Alec Soth’s Niagara”.
• Fashion Magazine. Paris: Magnum, 2007. ISBN 978-2-9524102-1-2.

• Dog Days Bogota. Göttingen: Steidl, 2007. ISBN 978-3-865214-51-5.
• Last Days of W. St. Paul, MN: Little Brown Mushroom, 2008.
• Sheep. TBW Subscription Series #2. Oakland, CA: TBW, 2009. Edition of 800 copies. The other volumes are by Todd Hido, Abner Nolan, and Marianne Mueller.
• Broken Manual. Göttingen: Steidl, 2010. ISBN 978-3-869301-99-0. With Lester B. Morrison.

• From Here to There: Alec Soth’s America. Minneapolis, MN: Walker Art Center, 2010. ISBN 978-0-935640-96-0. Catalog of a retrospective exhibition curated by Siri Engberg. Foreword by Olga Viso; texts by Geoff Dyer, “Riverrun”; Britt Salvesen, “American History”; Barry Schwabsky, “A Wandering Art”; a poem by August Kleinzahler, “Sleeping it off in Rapid City”; and Soth in conversation with Bartholomew Ryan, “Dismantling My Career”. Includes separate book The Loneliest Man in Missouri by Soth, inserted into the back cover.

• Ash Wednesday, New Orleans. Kamakura, Japan: Super Labo, 2010.
• One Mississippi. Nazraeli Press, 2010.
• Lonely Boy Mag. No. A-1: Alec Soth’s Midwestern Exotica. St. Paul, MN: Little Brown Mushroom, 2011. Edition of 1000 copies. Photographs and text by Soth.

• One Day: 10 Photographers. Heidelberg: Kehrer, 2011. ISBN 978-3-86828-173-6. A boxed set of ten books of photographs taken on 21 June 2010. Edited by Harvey Benge. The other books are by Jessica Backhaus, Gerry Badger, Benge, John Gossage, Todd Hido, Rob Hornstra, Rinko Kawauchi, Eva Maria Ocherbauer, and Martin Parr.
• La Belle Dame Sans Merci. Edizioni Punctum, 2011. Edition of 500 copies.
• Looking for Love. Berlin: Kominek Bücher, 2012.

• Ohio. LBM Dispatch #1. Saint Paul, MN: Little Brown Mushroom, 2012. ASIN B008ESQB4Y. Text by Brad Zellar. Edition of 2000 copies.
• Upstate. LBM Dispatch #2. Saint Paul, MN: Little Brown Mushroom, 2012. Text by Brad Zellar. Edition of 2000 copies.
• Michigan. LBM Dispatch #3. Saint Paul, MN: Little Brown Mushroom, 2012. ASIN B00BT1KY14. Text by Brad Zellar. Edition of 2000 copies.

• Three Valleys. LBM Dispatch #4. Saint Paul, MN: Little Brown Mushroom, 2013. Text by Brad Zellar. Edition of 2000 copies.
• Colorado. LBM Dispatch #5. Saint Paul, MN: Little Brown Mushroom, 2013. Text by Brad Zellar Edition of 2000 copies.
• Texas. LBM Dispatch #6. Saint Paul, MN: Little Brown Mushroom, 2013. Text by Brad Zellar. Edition of 2000 copies.

• Georgia. LBM Dispatch #7. Saint Paul, MN: Little Brown Mushroom, 2014. Text by Brad Zellar. Edition of 2000 copies.
• Ping Pong Conversations: Alec Soth with Francesco Zanot. Rome: Contrasto, 2013. ISBN 978-8869654091. Transcripts compiled from conversations between Soth and Zanot, with new and previously published photographs by Soth. Zanot contributes an introduction, “Alec Soth: the Recycling of Photography”.

• Bogota Funsaver. One Picture Book 88. Portland, OR: Nazraeli Press, 2014. ISBN 9781590054178. Edition of 500 copies.
• Songbook. Göttingen. London: Mack, 2015. ISBN 978-1910164020.

• Gathered Leaves. London: Mack, 2015. ISBN 9781910164365. 29 large format postcards and mini facsimile versions of Sleeping by the Mississippi, Niagara, Broken Manual, and Songbook. With an introduction by Kate Bush and an essay by Aaron Schuman.
• I Know How Furiously Your Heart Is Beating. London: Mack, 2019. ISBN 978-1-912339-31-0. Includes an interview with Soth by Hanya Yanagihara.

Publications with others

• Suburban World: The Norling Photos. Saint Paul, MN: Minnesota Historical Society; Borealis, 2008. ISBN 9780873516099. Brad Zellar, Irwin D. Norling, Soth.
• The Auckland Project. Santa Fe, NM: Radius, 2011. ISBN 978-1-934435-26-7. Two volumes in a slipcase, the other is by John Gossage, Southern stars: a guide to the constellations visible in the southern hemisphere.

• Alec Soth’s Lonely Boy Mag 2: Boys and Their Cars. St. Paul, MN: Little Brown Mushroom, 2011. Text and photographs by Todd Hido, Soth, Chad States, and erotic dioramas by Peter Davidson. Edition of 1000 copies.
• The 1968 Project: A Nation Coming of Age. Saint Paul, MN: Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2011. ISBN 9780873518420. Brad Zellar, Soth.

• Rodarte. JRP|Ringier, 2011. Photographs by Soth and Catherine Opie.
• House of Coates. Photographs by Alec Soth and Lester B. Morrison, text by Brad Zellar.

Publications edited or with contributions by Soth

• The Image To Come: How Cinema Inspires Photographers. Göttingen: Steidl, 2007.
• Georgian Spring: A Magnum Journal = ქართულიგაზაფხული მაგნუმი ს დღიურები. London: Chris Boot, New York: Magnum, 2009. ISBN 978-1905712151. Introduction by Wendell Steavenson. Photographs by various Magnum photographers.
• Brighton Picture Hunt. Brighton: Photoworks, 2010. ISBN 978-1903796429. Photographs by Carmen Soth, edited by Soth.

• Postcards From America. Photographs by Soth, Jim Goldberg, Susan Meiselas, Paolo Pellegrin, Mikhael Subotzky, and Ginger Strand. Magnum, 2012. A book, bumper stickers, a newspaper, two fold-outs, three cards, a poster and five zines, all in a box. Edition of 500 copies.
• About Face. San Francisco: Pier 24 Photography, 2014. ISBN 978-0-9839917-2-4. With essays by Philip Gefter, Sandra S. Phillips, and Ulrike Schneider. Edition of 1000 copies. Exhibition catalog.

• The Open Road: Photography & the American Road Trip. Edited and with text by David Campany. Photographs by various.
• Rochester 585/716: A Postcard from America Project. New York: Aperture; San Francisco: Pier 24 Photography, 2015. ISBN 978-1-59711-340-3. Edition of 1000 copies. Photographs by various Magnum photographers.

• ABC Photography. Berlin: Tarzipan, 2017. Photographs by various. Text by Monte Packham.
• Home. Tokyo: Magnum Photos Tokyo, 2018. ISBN 978-4-9909806-0-3.

Solo exhibitions

• 2004: Alec ‘Sleeping by the Mississippi’, Yossi Milo Gallery, New York, NY.
• 2004: Alec ‘Sleeping by the Mississippi’, Stephen Wirtz Gallery, San Francisco, CA.
• 2005: Gagosian Gallery, New York, NY.
• 2006: Alec ‘Niagara’, Gagosian Gallery, New York, NY.

• 2006: Alec – Niagara, Wohnmaschine, Berlin.
• 2006: Alec : Niagara, Weinstein Gallery, Minneapolis, MN.
• 2009: The Last Days of W., Gagosian Gallery, New York, NY.
• 2009/2010: Niagara, Williams College Museum of Art, Williamstown, MA.

• 2010/2011: Alec : Blackline of woods, High Museum of Art, Atlanta, GA.
• 2010: Mississippi Niagara, Triennale di Milano, Milan.
• 2010/2011: Alec : From here to there, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN.
• 2011: Alec : Broken Moments, Galerie Friedrich Loock, Berlin.

• 2012: Alec : La Belle Dame sans Merci, Multimedia Art Museum, Moscow, Central Exhibition Hall Moscow Manege, Moscow.
• 2012: Broken Manual, Sean Kelly Gallery, New York, NY.

• 2015/2016: Gathered Leaves, Media Space, Science Museum, London, 2015/2016; The Finnish Museum of Photography, Helsinki, 2016/2017.
• 2019 I Know How Furiously Your Heart Is Beating Fraenkel Gallery, San Francisco

Collections

Alec’s work is held in the following public collections:

• Museum of Contemporary Photography, Chicago, IL: 6 prints (as of June 2018)
• Museum of Modern Art, New York: 1 print (as of June 2018)
• Pier 24 Photography, San Francisco, CA: 12 prints (as of June 2018)

• San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco, CA: 14 prints (as of June 2018)
• Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN: 55 holdings (prints and books, as of June 2018)
• Whitney Museum of American Art, New York: 4 prints (as of June 2018)

Notable Travel, Events, and Experiences

As a photographer, Alec has traveled extensively throughout the United States and around the world, documenting a wide range of subjects and landscapes. Some of his most notable travels, events, and experiences include:

• Road trips along the Mississippi River: Alec’s first photobook, “Sleeping by the Mississippi,” documented a series of road trips that he took along the Mississippi River. The book featured a series of large-format color photographs that captured the landscapes, people, and culture of the American Midwest.
• Exploration of Niagara Falls: Alec’s second photobook, “NIAGARA,” explored the complexities of love and desire in the context of Niagara Falls. The book featured a series of photographs that captured the landscape, people, and culture of the area surrounding the falls.
• Exploration of the American West: Alec’s series “West of Last Chance” documented the people and landscapes of the American West, focusing on small towns and rural communities that were struggling to survive in the face of economic and social change.
• Participation in the Magnum Photos agency: In 2008, Alec became a nominee for Magnum Photos, a prestigious photo agency that represents some of the world’s most renowned photographers. Soth was later made a full member of the agency in 2013.
• Exhibitions and publications: Alec’s work has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, including the Whitney Museum of American Art, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and the Jeu de Paume in Paris. His photographs have also been published in numerous books and magazines, and he has received several awards and accolades for his contributions to the field of photography.

Future Aspirations and Goals

As a highly regarded photographer, Alec continues to explore new themes and ideas in his work, and he has several future aspirations and goals. Some of these include:

• Exploring new themes and subjects: Alec is known for his ability to capture the complexities of human relationships, community, and identity, and he is constantly seeking new ways to explore these themes through his photography. He is also interested in exploring new subjects and landscapes, both in the United States and abroad.
• Continuing to teach and mentor: Alec is committed to sharing his knowledge and expertise with the next generation of photographers. He plans to continue teaching workshops and mentoring young photographers, both in the United States and around the world.
• Collaborating with other artists and photographers: Alec is interested in collaborating with other artists and photographers on new projects and exhibitions. He believes that collaboration can help to push his work in new and unexpected directions, and he is excited about the potential for new creative partnerships in the future.
• Using new technologies and platforms: Alec is interested in exploring new technologies and platforms for sharing his work with a wider audience. He has already embraced social media and other digital platforms as a way to connect with fans and followers, and he plans to continue exploring new ways to share his work in the years to come.

Social Impact: Philanthropic, Charitable and Community Involvement

Alec has been involved in several philanthropic, charitable, and community-based initiatives throughout his career. Some of his notable contributions include:

• The Winnebago Workshop: In 2018, Alec founded the Winnebago Workshop, a mobile classroom and community darkroom that travels to communities around the United States to teach photography workshops and offer free access to darkroom facilities. The initiative is aimed at making photography accessible to people from all backgrounds and helping to foster creativity and community engagement.
• Support for the arts: Alec has been a vocal supporter of the arts throughout his career and has contributed to several arts-based organizations and initiatives. He has served on the board of directors for the McKnight Foundation and has been involved with the Minnesota State Arts Board, among other organizations.
• Advocacy for social justice: Alec has used his platform as a photographer to advocate for social justice causes. He has contributed to several campaigns and initiatives aimed at promoting equality, social justice, and human rights.
• Mentoring young photographers: Alec has been involved in teaching and mentoring young photographers throughout his career, and he has played an important role in helping to shape the next generation of artists and photographers.

Alec Soth Awards Accomplishments and Achievements

• 1999: McKnight Foundation Photography Fellowship, Minneapolis, MN.
• 2001: Travel and Study Grant, Jerome Foundation, for Sleeping by the Mississippi.
• 2001: Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) / Jerome Foundation Fellowships for Emerging Artists.
• 2003: Santa Fe Prize for Photography.

• 2004: McKnight Foundation Photography Fellowship, Minneapolis, MN.
• 2005: Art Works Residency Program, CEPA Gallery: Contemporary Photography & Visual Arts Center, Buffalo, NY. Whilst working on Niagara.
• 2006: Finalist, Deutsche Börse Photography Prize. A £3000 prize.

• 2008: Bush Fellowship, Bush Foundation, Saint Paul, MN. A $50000 grant.
• 2011: Infinity Award from International Center of Photography, Publication category, for From Here to There: Alec Soth’s America.
• 2013: John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship in Photography from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation.

• 2013: McKnight Foundation Photography Fellowship, Minneapolis, MN.
• 2014: Knight Arts Challenge grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation An award of $35000 to create The Winnebago Workshop.

Legacy

Alec’s legacy is one of creative innovation and a dedication to exploring the complexities of human relationships and identity through photography. His work has been widely acclaimed for its ability to capture the nuances of contemporary life and to shed light on the diverse experiences of people from all walks of life.

Alec’s unique vision and approach to photography have influenced and inspired countless artists and photographers around the world, and his legacy will continue to be felt in the world of contemporary photography for many years to come.

Furthermore, Alecs dedication to making photography accessible to people from all backgrounds, through initiatives such as the Winnebago Workshop, and his advocacy for social justice causes, have helped to inspire community engagement and social change.

Hobbies and Interests

• Music: Alec is a music enthusiast and has cited music as a major influence on his work. He is particularly interested in indie rock and has curated several music playlists that he shares on his website.
• Reading: Alec is an avid reader and is known for incorporating literary references and themes into his photography. He has cited writers such as Raymond Carver and Flannery O’Connor as major influences on his work.
• Travel: Alec’s photography often involves travel, and he has visited many countries and regions around the world in pursuit of his work. He enjoys experiencing new cultures and landscapes and has said that travel is an important source of inspiration for his photography.
• Film: Alec is a film enthusiast and has cited movies as a major influence on his work. He has said that he often draws inspiration from the visual storytelling and cinematic techniques used in film.

Personal Beliefs

Alec’s personal beliefs are reflected in his work, which often explores themes related to identity, relationships, and the human condition. He has spoken extensively about the role of empathy in his work and the importance of creating work that can foster a sense of connection and understanding between people.

In addition to his artistic beliefs, Alec has also been vocal about his political and social views. He has been an advocate for social justice causes and has used his platform as an artist to speak out about issues related to race, inequality, and human rights.

Alec has also been critical of the role of social media in contemporary culture, arguing that it has contributed to a culture of superficiality and isolation.

Quotes

Final Thoughts

Alec is a highly respected and influential figure in contemporary photography, known for his unique vision and approach to exploring the complexities of human relationships and identity. His work has received widespread critical acclaim and has inspired countless photographers and artists around the world.

Alec’s legacy is one of creative innovation, community engagement, and a commitment to using art as a means of fostering understanding, empathy, and social change. His dedication to making photography accessible to people from all backgrounds, through initiatives such as the Winnebago Workshop, and his advocacy for social justice causes have helped to inspire community engagement and social change.

Frequently Asked Questions About Alec Soth

Alec Soth Contacts

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