10 Winning Photos Of The Independent Photographer’s Portrait Photography Contest 2023

Announcing the Winners of the Portrait Photography Contest by The Independent Photographer. The winners of the esteemed Portrait Photography contest, hosted by The Independent Photographer, an esteemed global community of passionate photography enthusiasts and skilled photographers, have been officially revealed.

Delving into the captivating and diverse history of portrait photography, which traces its origins back to the early days of the medium, this contest sought to uncover the most impactful and enthralling contemporary portrait photographs. Whether immortalizing renowned figures or everyday individuals, portrait photography reflects our inherent fascination with the lives and stories of others.

Leading the panel of judges was the acclaimed British-born photographer, Jimmy Nelson, renowned for his extraordinary dedication over the past decade to documenting the endangered indigenous cultures across the globe. Nelson’s remarkable portfolio encompasses the publication of several noteworthy books, including the highly regarded “Before They Pass Away.” This collection showcases compelling portraits of 35 indigenous tribes, captured through the lens of a vintage plate camera. Nelson’s exceptional work has earned him global recognition, with exhibitions held worldwide and numerous prestigious awards to his credit.

Now, it is with great enthusiasm that we present the exceptional artwork of ten remarkable artists whose talent surpasses all expectations. Let us come together in celebration as we unveil the winners and embark on a journey to explore their remarkable images!

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#1 Jorg Karg: 1st Place Winner, Prize – $1000

“Far Away Thunder” — From the ‘Manifest’ series

“This work is an excerpt from my recently released series Manifest’. The intention behind my digital photographic collages is to make the beholder feel addressed immediately, without any further explanation. Therefore, I use present-day visual language and techniques to combine them with long-established, fundamental ideas of painting and drawing.”

#2 Marcin Jozefiak: 2nd Place Winner, Prize – $600

“Gayoung”

The “Fearless Flowers” series explores gender, sexuality, gaze, and identity in South Korea. Adorned with flowers, the human body represents universal innocence, timelessness, and purity. The subject, who may convey toughness in other settings, is shown with vulnerability and humanity when photographed in a safe studio environment. Ornamented with flowers, the black garment, which represents the society uniform, is a metaphor for the fight and struggle of each subject and beyond.

#3 Keiran Perry: 3rd Place Winner, Prize – $400

“Dad, where we used to play”

“This is a portrait of my dad, shot last year at the start of his chemotherapy. Some pretty scary times, we thought he might lose his hair so I shot this on a misty morning in the heather up on the moorlands where we used to play. He’s tough as old boots and on the road to recovery, with hair still intact. Life can throw us some testing times, I’m just glad he’s still knocking around giving me a push forward.”

#4 Arianna Angelini: Finalist

“Gitano” – Milan, Italy

Editorial studio portrait shot on film

#5 Giandomenico Veneziani: Finalist

“A deal with God”

The heart of Hell is not fire, but ice. Cold as hatred, dehumanization, and relational death. The body is enveloped by the cold waters of the Cocytus and at that moment all desire is extinguished and man can only contemplate his failure.

#6 Giuseppe Gradella: Finalist

“Untitled” – Italy

Studio editorial portrait

#7 Iveta Cevorova: Finalist

“In Focus: Black Minds Matter”

“Unmasking Silence: Photography for Mental Health Awareness & Mental Health Stigma in Black Communities”

#8 Lucas Troadec: Finalist

“Lillie”

“The cinematic series Lillie & Tillie delves into the imaginary. Originally imagined as a training exercise for my documentary method, I wanted to create fictional characters and explore their worlds as though entering a film’s cinematic universe. Being a self-taught photographer, this was my own way of building personal exercises and a curriculum for myself.”