People Award Editors’ Picks of October 2020

Following the results of last month’s People competition judged by the co-founder of The Everyday Projects and Everyday Africa: Peter DiCampo, we want to share some of the competition entries that didn’t make it to the final selection but impressed by their overall quality and stayed with us.

A group of dancers on the streets of Peru, a family dipping in the Holy river Ganges, young Buddhists playing at the temples of Angkor, and more: We received an incredible variety of images and we want to highlight the work of 15 talented photographers and storytellers who joined in the People photo competition.

Thank you for taking part in the award and taking the time to share your work with us!

“Preparation of food” - Salekhard city, Siberia
Angelica and Rodion help their parents with cooking dinner. Vitaly saws frozen meat with a saw. The kids are waiting for dad to finish to take the meat to the chum so mom can start cooking. And a dog who hopes at least a small piece of venison. © Albina Abdullina
“How do I look?” - Rajasthan, India
The pride and joy of Rajasthani males is their mustache. As this woman is passing by this guy is ensuring all is well with his beautiful moustache. © Ora Buerkli
“Hope” - Iran
In some parts of Iran’s villages, people are deprived of essential equipment for living like water and electricity. It is clear that in this area people do not pay enough attention to children and what they need for entertainment. During my journey to Golestan province’s village I visited this place where children without any special facilities were happy. © Farnaz Damnabi
“Wojciech, 50” - Dabrowa Chelminska, Poland
Portrait from an ongoing project titles “Invisible”, that focuses on drinking habits in the photographer’s hometown, a small post-communist village in the middle of Poland. © Natalia Krezel
“Life in India” - Varanasi, India
Multilayered capture portraying locals going about their daily lives on the Ghats in Varanasi. © Dan Morris
“Student writing at chalk board.” - Gulu, Uganda
© Brian Hodges
“Kubatbek and Karachin” - Kyrgyzstan, 2019
Hunting with eagles is a fascinating tradition in Central Asia. In the past it was fundamental for nomadic people to get food and furs during the harsh winter months. In Kyrgyzstan, the golden eagle is known as “berkut” and the Kyrgyz are among the few people that still train these giant birds to hunt. The hunter and the eagle stay together almost 20 years building a very strong connection during that time. Kubatbek is a Kyrgyz eagle hunter who lives in Bokonbayevo. In this picture you see how gently he is talking to Karachin, one of his eagles. © Mattia Corato
“Dip of Irony” -Varanasi, India
A family dips their months old child in the Holy river Ganges. It is a part of the Hindu culture and tradition, People believe that after taking a dip in the holy river, Mother Ganges bless them with long and healthy life and washes away all their sins. But the river is extremely polluted as urban sewage, animal waste and cremated bodies are dumped in the river, the baby can suffer from deadly diseases like Hepatitis, Cholera, Typhoid etc. Hence, this is a dip of irony and blind faith. © Mohit Khetrapal
“ I will always be a stranger”
A part of project “I will always be a stranger” about people with albinism and the challenges they face in the society and with the physical obstacles like bad eyesight or blindness and their sensitivity towards the light and sun. © Armand Tamboly
“Girl Waiting” - Afghanistan
A girl stands beside a queue of women in southern Afghanistan. © Phillip Walter Wellman
“An inimitable bond” - South Sudan
A young Dinka boy closely connected to his cattle touches the cow tenderly. © Trevor Cole
“The grace of dance” - Puno, Peru
A group of dancers performing on the street of Puno during the Festival in Honour of Our Lady of Candelaria, one the largest Festival in South America, and UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. © Giampiero D’Antonio
“Even buddha's children are just children” - Siem reap, Cambodia
© Jozef Macak
“Ola” - Poland
Ola is a student at a military high school in Poland. There are numerous military organisations for children and patriotism takes up a big part of elementary school education. At the present time, and especially under the current government, these structures give an illusion of safety or control of the situation. © Natalia Kepesz
“Quechuan Woman” - Cusco, Peru
A candid portrait of a Quechan woman weaving traditional fabrics in the Sacred Valley of the Incas near Cusco. © Matthew Wild

Published November 16, 2020 - Congratulations to all selected artists: Albina Abdullina, Ora Buerkli, Farnaz Damnabi, Natalia Krezel, Dan Morris, Brian Hodges, Mattia Corato, Mohit Khetrapal, Armand Tamboly, Phillip Walter Wellman, Trevor Cole, Giampiero D’Antonio, Jozef Macak, Natalia Kepesz, Matthew Wild,

Color portrait fashion photo of woman with sunglasses in red car by

2026 Portrait AWARD

Win $2,700 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.