Boris' fascinating story began long before he became a photojournalist. His childhood in former Yugoslavia had much sorrow and longing for what he couldn't have, which he channeled into resilience, creativity and ambition. After graduating from Belgrade's Cinematographic Institute, it was time to escape Yugoslavia over the mountains and explore what the world had to offer.
Ending up in Italy, he was caught and put in a labour camp. After two years there, he had enough and escaped again, this time ending up in Paris. After another two years, he immigrated to Canada. It was 1957, he was 22 years old, barely spoke English and had little money. But one thing he did have, was a strong desire to be a news photographer.
He landed in Canada on a Friday, and by Monday morning he had a job washing dishes at the iconic Royal York Hotel in Toronto. It paid for room-and-board, and food. When he wasn't washing dishes, he was out on the streets taking pictures. A spell of freelance work got him noticed, and in 1962, he was offered a job at the Globe and Mail as a photographer. In 1966, he moved to the Toronto Star where he remained until he retired in 2000.
During his career, Spremo won more than 300 regional, national and international awards for photography. Recognition for his talent began early, when in 1965, he earned what is perhaps his most important distinction, being the first Canadian to capture a First Prize Gold Medal in the World Press Photo competition in The Hague, Holland. In 1966, Spremo was awarded with two honours by the Professional Photographers of Canada: standing as a Master of Photographic Arts (M.P.A.) and Canadian Photographer of the Year.
During the course of his 38-year career, Spremo's assignments have take him around the world covering wars, famine, politics, Royals, Olympics and celebrities.
In 1997, Spremo was awarded Canada's highest honour, the Order of Canada (C.M.) for his years of photographic excellence. Years later, Spremo received The Queen's Golden Jubilee medal and The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal. And in 2013, Spremo was inducted into the Canadian News Hall of Fame.
Boris Spremo wrote his autobiography with the help of his wife, Ika, before he became ill, and his children completed its publishing after his passing.