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The Independent Photographer
is a monthly photography award
& online magazine

SUBMIT PHOTOS MAGAZINE
© Sander Vos

Celebrating photography & supporting emerging artists

fashion fine art studio portrait of woman by Ivana Sunjic
© Ivana Sunjic
2025 Portrait AWARD

Win $2700 Cash Awards & International Exposure

Can you tell a story with a single glance? – in May, we invite all photographers to share portraits that narrate compelling tales, whether captured in the controlled environment of a studio, the vibrant chaos of the street, or the rich landscapes of travel.

  • Win $2700 in Cash Prizes
  • International Exhibition
  • +870k Instagram Feature
  • Free Online Portfolio
Photo by Luisa Dörr. Women in traditional Bolivian outfits in the mountains
© Luisa Dörr

Interview • Portrait

Luisa Dörr

In our hyper-saturated world, where each day we’re bombarded with an endless stream of new images, Luisa Dörr (judge of our 2025 Portrait Award) stands out. The Brazilian photographer is quickly building a reputation as one of the world’s most creative and perceptive photographers, using her work as a powerful vehicle to tell the stories…

MAGAZINE

2025 Portrait Award

Win $2700 Cash Awards & International Exposure

Can you tell a story with a single glance? – in May, we invite all photographers to share portraits that narrate compelling tales, whether captured in the controlled environment of a studio, the vibrant chaos of the street, or the rich landscapes of travel.

  • Win $2700 in Cash Prizes
  • International Exhibition
  • +870k Instagram Feature
  • Free Online Portfolio
color portrait of a young Irish traveller boy and his rooster by Bob Newman
© Bob Newman
color portrait of a young girl in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India by Ronan Buckley
© Ronan Buckley
color fashion studio portrait of man by Petra W. Barathova
© Petra W. Barathova
color portrait of nenet girl in yamal peninsula by Alessandro Malaguti
© Alessandro Malaguti
color portrait photo of mother and daughter in Tibet by Mikael Wardhana. People Award
© Mikael Wardhana
color portrait of a young boy with sky reflection by Junko Akita
© Junko Akita
color close up portrait of young girl with freckles by Elina Nova
© Elina Nova
color portrait of a young Irish traveller boy and his rooster by Bob Newman
© Bob Newman
color portrait of a young girl in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India by Ronan Buckley
© Ronan Buckley
color fashion studio portrait of man by Petra W. Barathova
© Petra W. Barathova
color portrait of nenet girl in yamal peninsula by Alessandro Malaguti
© Alessandro Malaguti
color portrait photo of mother and daughter in Tibet by Mikael Wardhana. People Award
© Mikael Wardhana
color portrait of a young boy with sky reflection by Junko Akita
© Junko Akita
color close up portrait of young girl with freckles by Elina Nova
© Elina Nova
color portrait of a young Irish traveller boy and his rooster by Bob Newman
© Bob Newman
color portrait of a young girl in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India by Ronan Buckley
© Ronan Buckley
color fashion studio portrait of man by Petra W. Barathova
© Petra W. Barathova
color portrait of nenet girl in yamal peninsula by Alessandro Malaguti
© Alessandro Malaguti
color portrait photo of mother and daughter in Tibet by Mikael Wardhana. People Award
© Mikael Wardhana
color portrait of a young boy with sky reflection by Junko Akita
© Junko Akita
color close up portrait of young girl with freckles by Elina Nova
© Elina Nova
color portrait of a young Irish traveller boy and his rooster by Bob Newman
© Bob Newman
color portrait of a young girl in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India by Ronan Buckley
© Ronan Buckley
color fashion studio portrait of man by Petra W. Barathova
© Petra W. Barathova
color portrait of nenet girl in yamal peninsula by Alessandro Malaguti
© Alessandro Malaguti
color portrait photo of mother and daughter in Tibet by Mikael Wardhana. People Award
© Mikael Wardhana
color portrait of a young boy with sky reflection by Junko Akita
© Junko Akita
color close up portrait of young girl with freckles by Elina Nova
© Elina Nova
color fashion studio portrait of a male model by Carly Zavala
© Carly Zavala
Portrait of two Nenets children, two little Nenets by Alessio Pannini
© Alessio Pannini
black and white fashion studio portrait by François-Xavier Pelissier
© François-Xavier Pelissier
Portrait of man in India by Enzo Mistretta
© Enzo Mistretta
color landscape and portrait photo of a nomadic woman in Ladakh region, India by Wasim Malik
© Wasim Malik
color portrait photo of Tibetan monk by Peter Aronson
© Peter Aronson
color fashion studio portrait of a male model by Carly Zavala
© Carly Zavala
Portrait of two Nenets children, two little Nenets by Alessio Pannini
© Alessio Pannini
black and white fashion studio portrait by François-Xavier Pelissier
© François-Xavier Pelissier
Portrait of man in India by Enzo Mistretta
© Enzo Mistretta
color landscape and portrait photo of a nomadic woman in Ladakh region, India by Wasim Malik
© Wasim Malik
color portrait photo of Tibetan monk by Peter Aronson
© Peter Aronson
color fashion studio portrait of a male model by Carly Zavala
© Carly Zavala
Portrait of two Nenets children, two little Nenets by Alessio Pannini
© Alessio Pannini
black and white fashion studio portrait by François-Xavier Pelissier
© François-Xavier Pelissier
Portrait of man in India by Enzo Mistretta
© Enzo Mistretta
color landscape and portrait photo of a nomadic woman in Ladakh region, India by Wasim Malik
© Wasim Malik
color portrait photo of Tibetan monk by Peter Aronson
© Peter Aronson
color fashion studio portrait of a male model by Carly Zavala
© Carly Zavala
Portrait of two Nenets children, two little Nenets by Alessio Pannini
© Alessio Pannini
black and white fashion studio portrait by François-Xavier Pelissier
© François-Xavier Pelissier
Portrait of man in India by Enzo Mistretta
© Enzo Mistretta
color landscape and portrait photo of a nomadic woman in Ladakh region, India by Wasim Malik
© Wasim Malik
color portrait photo of Tibetan monk by Peter Aronson
© Peter Aronson
color portrait of a young Irish traveller boy and his rooster by Bob Newman
© Bob Newman
color portrait of a young girl in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India by Ronan Buckley
© Ronan Buckley
color fashion studio portrait of man by Petra W. Barathova
© Petra W. Barathova
color portrait of nenet girl in yamal peninsula by Alessandro Malaguti
© Alessandro Malaguti
color portrait photo of mother and daughter in Tibet by Mikael Wardhana. People Award
© Mikael Wardhana
color portrait of a young boy with sky reflection by Junko Akita
© Junko Akita
color close up portrait of young girl with freckles by Elina Nova
© Elina Nova
color fashion studio portrait of a male model by Carly Zavala
© Carly Zavala
Portrait of two Nenets children, two little Nenets by Alessio Pannini
© Alessio Pannini
black and white fashion studio portrait by François-Xavier Pelissier
© François-Xavier Pelissier
Portrait of man in India by Enzo Mistretta
© Enzo Mistretta
color landscape and portrait photo of a nomadic woman in Ladakh region, India by Wasim Malik
© Wasim Malik
color portrait photo of Tibetan monk by Peter Aronson
© Peter Aronson

Past Judges

Our competition jury is comprised of esteemed industry figures representing such prestigious agencies and publications as Magnum Photos, VII, National Geographic, Agence Vu'Vogue & GEO.
  • logo of The Guardian and portrait photo of editor Fiona Shields

    Fiona Shields

    Fiona Shields is Head of Photography for The Guardian News and Media Group. With more than two decades of experience, she has delivered talks, mentored photojournalism students, and served as judge of numerous awards and competitions.

  • Judge Steve McCurry Profile Picture

    Steve McCurry

    Celebrated as one of the most iconic voices in contemporary photography, American photographer Steve McCurry has created a unique collection of work featuring some of the most famous images of our time.

  • Judge Alessia Glaviano Profile Picture Vogue Logo

    Alessia Glaviano

    Based in Milan, Alessia Glaviano is the Brand Visual Director of Vogue Italia and L’Uomo Vogue. She is responsible for Photo Vogue and was a 2015 World Press Photo jury member.

  • Judge Ed Kashi Profile Picture VII Logo

    Ed Kashi

    Represented by the prestigious VII agency, Ed Kashi is an acclaimed photojournalist and educator who uses photography to explore geopolitical and social issues that define our times.

  • Judge Maggie Steber Profile Picture National Geographic Logo

    Maggie Steber

    A celebrated figure in the photographic community, Maggie Steber works for National Geographic and is part of the renowned VII Photo Agency. She has earned prestigious honors, including the Leica Medal of Excellence, the World Press Foundation Award & a Pulitzer prize.

  • Judge REZA Profile Picture

    REZA

    Founder of Webistan Photo Agency and Explorer of National Geographic, internationally acclaimed Iranian-French photojournalist Reza is a three-times world press winning photographer and recipient of the ICP Infinity Award.

  • portrait of photographer Carol Körting

    Carol Körting

    Carol Körting is a professional portfolio reviewer and the photo editor of the renowned Leica Fotografie International Magazine (LFI) and its online platform, producing and editing countless photographic projects since 2011.

  • portrait of photographer Nikos Economopoulos

    Nikos Economopoulos

    Member of Magnum Photos since 1990, Nikos Economopoulos has published several monographs and his iconic images have been published and exhibited worldwide. Economopoulos regularly teach and work around the world, in the context of his long-term On The Road project.⁠⁠

  • Judge Magdalena Herrera Profile Picture GEO Logo

    Magdalena Herrera

    Magdalena Herrera has worked in books, print, and magazines, spending ten years as head of the photo department at National Geographic before joining Geo France as Director of Photography. She was the chair of the 2018 World Press Photo contest.

Square TIP Logo

Competition winners

Color AWARD April 2025

Winner Xavier Autrey Holschneider

Discover all winners

Square TIP Logo

Upcoming Awards

Each month, photographers submit images to a themed competition judged by an acclaimed artist.

STREET – September 2024
OPEN CALL – October 2024
LANDSCAPE – November 2024
PEOPLE – December 2024
BLACK & WHITE – January 2025
VISUAL STORY – February 2025
STREET – March 2025
COLOR – April 2025
PORTRAIT – May 2025
BLACK & WHITE – June 2025
TRAVEL – July/August 2025

Coor photography of a man taking a bath by Ivelina Berova
© Ivelina Berova

A unique chance to
gain widespread exposure!


  • $ 32.000
    Cash Prizes
  • International
    Exhibition


  • Free
    Portfolio

  • Global
    Exposure

  • Professional
    Feedback
Junko Akita
© Junko Akita
2025 Portrait AWARD

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“Color is a power which directly influences the soul.” – Wassily Kandinsky
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