The Leica Women Foto Project has been giving out awards for five years now. This year, four awardees were selected. Each winner will receive a cash prize of $10,000, along with a Leica SL2-S camera and a Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70mm f/2.8 ASPH lens.
In a press release announcing this year’s winners, Karin Kaufmann, art director of all Leica galleries worldwide, said:
“For this year’s Leica Women Foto Project, we encouraged applicants to share visual stories of reclamation, resilience, or rebirth. … Through these lenses, the Leica Women Foto Project continues to empower and amplify the voices that capture these profound narratives, adding depth to our collective visual tapestry while reflecting our commitment to celebrating the power of visual storytelling.”
The four awardees, in no particular order, are:
Camille Farrah Lenain, a French Algerian documentary and portrait photographer. Lenain’s work, “Made of Smokeless Fire,” examines LGBTQ+ representation in Muslim culture in France.
Adenike Sogbesan, also known as Dola Posh, is a Nigerian-born, U.K.-based photographer. Sogbesan’s project “OMO MI” explores what it means to be a new mother and, according to the press release, “Themes of self-discovery, resilience and the renewal of feminine strength resonate throughout” the work.
Next up is Luvia Lazo, a Zapotec Indigenous photographer born in Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca, Mexico. Lazo’s project, “Women From the Clouds,” looks at the lives of Indigenous women of varying ages. The project is described in the press release as such: “Through this project, she endeavors to contribute to a rich and unique understanding of the diverse experiences of indigenous women, shaping a broader and more enriched perspective on womanhood as a whole.”
Last, but certainly not least, is Stasia Schmidt, a fine art photographer from Calgary in Alberta, Canada. Schmidt’s project, “Ephemerality,” according to the press release, “is a testament to her ability to confront societal norms, specifically exploring the feminine presence in traditionally male-dominated adventure realms, prompting viewers to reconsider preconceived notions about women in these spaces.
You can find out more about the award panel’s judges and the Leica Women Foto Project Award here.
