Portrait Award November 2021


  • studio color portrait photograph of a girl with Hay-Wells Syndrome by Sujata Setia

    Winning Photographer Sujata Setia

    Winning Photographer Sujata Setia

    “Hannah” - UK
    “I was 16 when he spat on me… this boy who kept following me. That’s when I decided to start loving myself. It was a choice I made consciously.” - When I met Hannah for this shoot, I had to give no instructions. She asked me simply what my purpose was and I said “a world without exceptions”. She then went and sat at the spot against the backdrop and looked straight at the camera and her eyes; her soul spoke back to me. This is her story.
    “Hi. I am Hannah. I am 18. I was born with a rare genetic condition called Hay-Wells Syndrome. There are only about 30 other people like me in this world. My condition has left my hair, teeth, and skin undeveloped. It all started in college… the bullying. That’s when we become self-conscious and start noticing the differences. It was too much, just too much to bear. I developed an eating disorder as a result. I am still battling with it. I remember retaliating if they bullied me. I knew deep down inside that it wasn’t my fault but I couldn’t stop myself. That is what the bullies wanted. They wanted power over me. They wanted to dim my light. But instead, I decided to dim theirs. I started to ignore them and their jokes. I have forgiven them because everyone deserves a chance to redeem themselves. Our younger self does not represent us as an adult. If people stare at me now… which they do… all the time… then I just smile at them. I encourage people to ask me questions about my condition because I want to increase awareness about disabilities. That is why I became a model; so, I could represent my tribe. I want this world to become a collective union, where we can all embrace each other’s uniqueness. And until that doesn’t happen; I promise to never judge you, laugh at you, ridicule you or make you feel unworthy… even if you choose to not do the same for me. Because I am Me. I am kind, strong, compassionate and filled with an inner glow. Because I am more than just a “rare genetic condition”. © Sujata Setia
  • black and white portrait of a young Irish girl by Rebecca Moseman

    Second Prize Rebecca Moseman

    Second Prize Rebecca Moseman

    “Philomena” - Ireland
    The Irish Travelers are a proud and reclusive people, maintaining a culture and traditions whose origins are lost in time. In the fall of 2017, 2018 and 2019, I had the opportunity to be among them under the supervision of a fellow photographer who provided access to their world and allowed me to photograph their lives. This series of images reflects my personal interactions with the Travelers I connected with at the Ballinasloe Horse Fair, various halting sites, and illegal encampments throughout County Galway, Limerick and Dublin. © Rebecca Moseman
  • color film self portrait of a woman wearing towels by Foteini Zaglara

    Third Prize Foteini Zaglara

    Third Prize Foteini Zaglara

    “Rolling Boil” - Greece, 2021
    From the "Self-portrait" series
    © Foteini Zaglara
  • black and white portrait of a boy atCalgary Stampede by Leah Hennel

    Finalist Leah Hennel

    Finalist Leah Hennel

    “Muddy cowboy” - Calgary, Canada
    Novice steer rider Kade McDonald of Melville, Sask. poses for a portrait after his muddy ride at the Calgary Stampede rodeo. © Leah Hennel
  • close up color portrait of an Indian woman by Nicola Ducati

    Finalist Nicola Ducati

    Finalist Nicola Ducati

    “Jat community” - India
    The Jat people are a community of traditionally non-elite tillers and herders in Northern India and Pakistan. Due to regular droughts, the communities have begun to break their traditions of semi-nomad shepherds and move near the inhabited centers. The desert that advances inexorably in their territories has by now little to offer to this fading population. © Nicola Ducati
  • color portrait of a young boy and his rooster by Emily Fisher

    Finalist Emily Fisher

    Finalist Emily Fisher

    “Pen and Alejo” - USA
    Portrait of a young boy and his pet rooster.
    © Emily Fisher
  • black and white portrait of a woman by Bongani Tshabalala

    Finalist Bongani Tshabalala

    Finalist Bongani Tshabalala

    “Montsho” - South Africa
    Montsho meaning Black is a commonly used word in South Africa to make fun of a dark person as a result of their skin tone. This photograph explores emotional effects of childhood teasing which causes young black boys and girls depression. For me this photograph is both about destruction and preservation, it’s about what we choose to embrace after going through trauma. © Bongani Tshabalala
  • color portrait of a dutch woman by Salvatore Montemagno

    Finalist Salvatore Montemagno

    Finalist Salvatore Montemagno

    “Heidi” - Italy
    © Salvatore Montemagno
  • color portrait of a woman by Olga Urbanek

    Finalist Olga Urbanek

    Finalist Olga Urbanek

    “Iranian sister” - Tehran, Iran
    Part of the series ”How to blend in completely”. © Olga Urbanek
  • studio color portrait of a woman by Niki Genchi

    Finalist Niki Genchi

    Finalist Niki Genchi

    “Eicha” - Milan, Italy
    Editorial portrait work.
    © Niki Genchi

Finalists

Jury's Feedback

  • Portrait of Dan Winters by Travis Smith
    © Travis Smith

    Judge: Dan Winters

    Known for the broad range of subject matter he is able to interpret, American artist Dan Winters is widely recognized as one of the most acclaimed portrait photographers of his time.

    His iconic celebrity portraiture has won him over one hundred national and international awards from American Photography, Communication Arts, PDN, The Art Directors Club of New York & Life Magazine. In 2003, he won the 1st place World Press Photo Award in the portrait category and was honored by Kodak as a photo “Icon” in their biographical “Legends” series. Throughout his career, he was also awarded the prestigious Alfred Eisenstaedt Award for Magazine Photography.

    In addition to regular assignments for magazines such as Esquire, The New York Times Magazine, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, NewsweekTime, and The New Yorker, his work has appeared in five solo exhibitions in galleries in New York and Los Angeles and a book of his work entitled “Dan Winters: Periodical Photographs” was published in 2009 by Aperture.

Alex Stoll
© Alex Stoll

A unique chance to
gain widespread exposure!

Closing Soon

color aerial landscape photo of lake and forest in autumn by Rakesh Baro
© Rakesh Baro
2025 Color AWARD

Win $2700 Cash Awards & International Exposure

From bold portraits to ethereal landscapes, we invite photographers driven by their artistic eye and passion for color to join the competition and celebrate with us the beauty and diversity of color photography.

  • Win $2700 in Cash Prizes
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