Editors' Picks Portrait Award

“A portrait is not made in the camera but on either side of it.” — Edward Steichen.

Following the results of last month’s Portrait Photography Award, judged by American artist Dan Winters, the editorial team is delighted to share some of the competition entries that didn’t make it to the final selection round but truly impressed by their quality, variety and overall beauty.

Submitted images were incredibly powerful and we received works spanning all continents and genres, from classic social documentary to fine art, street, and fashion. As always we couldn’t give an award to every entrant and ultimately had to narrow it down. However, we want to highlight some of the many talented artists whose images struck us and are well worthy of exposure.

– Thank you for taking part and sharing your beautiful work with us!

“My family”
Skater, surfer, biker, some images of a series made outdoors during races or contests. Different, simple people who gather around the same spirit and form a family of free people. © François Joret
“Juan and María’s wedding.” - Quiché, Guatemala, 1993
Portrait of newly wedded in Tzucuna, Cabá, Communities of Population in Resistance of the Sierra, Quiché, Guatemala. From my first book, “Our Culture is Our Resistance: Repression, Refuge and Healing in Guatemala,” © Jonathan Moller
“Pebbles Beach” - Barbados
A groom from the Savannah Garrison Turf Club in Barbados exercises a race horse at Pebbles Beach.
© Alex Shore
“The white Princess” - Paris, France
© Juliette Lambard
“Yaya” - Utah, USA
In 2018, a record number of 70.8 million people were forcibly displaced from their homes. Men, women and children were driven from their countries due to war, violence and persecution. Safe countries around the world, with the help of organizations like the International Rescue Committee (IRC), opened their doors to provide refuge to those left without homes.
Since 1975 the United States has welcomed more than 3 million refugees from countries all over the world. Utah is the home to approximately 50,000 refugees. Utah welcomes over 1,200 refugees each year into our community making these people our neighbors, coworkers and friends. - From “Utah Refugee Project” © Delaney Loosle
“Wet Colors” - Italy, 2019
A portrait part of the wet colors series, dedicated to portraits with the same subject made through the use of monochrome backgrounds and translucent wet screens, the proximity is only apparent, the presence resembles more like a dream and a memory. © Giuseppe Gradella
“Winston” - Leyton, UK 2019
© Dave Imms
“Untitled #0021 - United Kingdom
EHA is a series of portraits of my mother, portrayed in a series of unusual situations, poses and attire. Eha was born in Estonia in 1950. Widowed, suffering from epilepsy and lacking great command of English, Eha stayed tightly involved in our lives. In 2015 Eha began to suffer from depression. Life became bleaker. Something had to be done. I came up with a plan to give her something new to focus on, beyond her new procession of doctor’s appointments and medications. The ‘EHA’ project was born.” © Sirli Raitma
“Vicky & Michael” - Uganda
Vicky, 18yold with her son Michael, 10 months. Working in quarry for one year. During my four trips to Uganda, I interacted with many Ugandan women in my daily travels. Impressed by their work ethic, resilience, poise, and sense of humor, I have partnered with Beatrice Lamwaka, a well-known Ugandan author to tell their story - From quarry workers to video game developers. From series: “HeadStrong: The Women of Rural Uganda: Quarry Workers” © Dan Nelken
“Senior Swimmer”
Portrait of a Cuban senior swimmer aficionado.
© Jorge Gonzalez