Tributes to beloved community photographer Marc Morris

One of the community’s most familiar faces, who spent decades working as a photographer for Jewish News and many other titles, has passed away at the age of 57.

Marc Morris, who grew up in Leytonstone and attended Simon Marks Jewish Primary School and JFS, died last week following a period of ill health, leaving behind his wife Nicola and daughter Elisheva.

Marc left school at 16 and trained as an electrical engineer before starting work at De Lane Lee recording studios in Soho.  While there he bought his first camera and found a new creative and artistic outlet. He became a full-time photographer, combining his love of sport and photography, travelling the world to cover football, athletics and particularly boxing. He was lead photographer for Boxing News and a press photographer for international media outlets. He also covered numerous International and European Maccabiahs.

In 2021 as the UK emerged from the Covid pandemic, Marc created a moving series of photographs that followed people returning to synagogues after lockdown.

Wife Nicola told Jewish News: “Marc was always incredibly creative and intelligent.  His greatest joy was his bike, his friends and especially watching any type of sport – especially Leyton Orient FC.

“We are distraught at the loss of our husband, daddy and brother. Marc had a massive heart, and we just can’t imagine our lives without him. We have been blown away by the response from, in particular, the Jewish footballing community and know how much he was loved and respected by so very many people.”

Marc photographed countless matches in the Maccabi GB Southern Football League. A spokesperson for the league said: “We are deeply saddened to hear about the recent loss of Marc. He was associated with the league for many years and his quality images were highly prominent in all our news articles, league handbooks, social media, match day programmes and our promotional literature.

“Marc embodied the spirit and culture of the league with his reassuring presence, in all weathers, on match days and always seemed to capture the perfect pictures for the occasion. Everyone involved in the league knew Marc well, from the players, officials and administrators and his character and presence at MSFL matches will be sorely missed. We wish all his family a long life.”