Matej Peljhan (1967) lives in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
At the age of 10, while playing with his friends, he experienced a severe accident with some explosive devices, scattered around during the World War II. He suffered numerous injuries, the most severe being the loss of his right arm and an eye. He takes photos in an unusual way – because he can only manage a camera with his left hand, the camera needs to be turned upside down.
He is a clinical psychologist by profession and works as a psychotherapist.
He holds the tittle Master of Photography, which is the highest title you can obtain in Slovene photography. He has presented his work at 20 independent exhibitions in Slovenia and abroad, and has received over a hundred prizes.
He published his work in monograph titled Fotografije/Photographies (2012) and he is the co-author of the book Za-govor podob – philosophy of photographic gaze (2011). His photos, interviews and features about him have been published and presented in numerous media across the world (Reader’s Digest, Digital Photography, Schwartzweiss, Nikon Pro Magazine, 1x Magazine, Huffington Post, BBC, Daily Mail, Globo, Stern, El Diario Sur, Pro Sieben, Nippon TV, Buzzfeed, Mashable, Petapixel, Bored Panda and others).
His biggest success was the 2013 series called The Little Prince, which went viral. The photos have been pronounced as some of the most touching photos ever taken. The following year he was as screenwriter and director for the short film with the same tittle and received the award Vesna at the main national film festival.
Due to his personal and professional ambitions he strives to bring photography as close as possible to the people with special needs. He has cofounded The Institute of photographic therapy where he offers workshops, educates others in the field of the photographic therapy and publishes professional articles. In 2015 he was the editor of the book called Phototherapy – from Concepts to Practices, which was published in English as well.
