Faces Behind the Lens: Stories of Our Portrait Photography Winners

Behind every great portrait lies a story — not just of the subject, but of the photographer who captured that fleeting moment of truth. In this article, we share the inspiring journeys of the winners of our Portrait Photography Contest, artists who turned emotion, light, and character into timeless images. From intimate studio shots to spontaneous outdoor portraits, each winner reveals a distinct approach to connecting with their subjects and translating human depth into visual art. Discover the passion, creativity, and stories behind the lenses of these remarkable photographers.

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ABDELRHMAN ALKAHLOUT

My name is Abdelrahman Alkahlout, and I am a Palestinian photojournalist and visual storyteller from Gaza. Beyond the camera, I am someone who values resilience, truth, and the power of human connection. A fun fact about me is that, even though I grew up in one of the most challenging places in the world, I always believed that beauty and humanity can be found even in the darkest times and photography became the way I learned to preserve that.

My journey with photography began in 2014, during the war on Gaza. At that time, I was still very young, but the devastation around me forced me to find a way to both process and document what was happening. I picked up a camera not only to create images but also to bear witness, to make sure that the stories of ordinary people especially children and families would not disappear into silence. What started as survival slowly became passion, and passion became purpose.

Although my work often falls within the realm of documentary and war photography, my favorite type of photography is portraiture. I believe that faces tell stories more powerfully than words can. A single look in someone’s eyes can communicate fear, hope, love, or defiance. This is why I was deeply honored when my photo “Eyes That Speak” was selected as the best of the contest because it reflects exactly what I try to capture: unspoken truth.

As a photographer, my aspiration is to continue building bridges between people through images. I want my work to be a testimony for future generations, and at the same time, I want it to inspire empathy and action in the present. Photography, for me, is not just a careerit is a mission. Every time I am shooting, I ask myself: “Will this photo make someone stop and feel?” If the answer is yes, then it is worth every risk and every effort.

For me, photography is memory, resistance, and love. It is the light we hold against the darkness. And while I have been fortunate to receive international recognition, I believe the greatest reward is when someone sees my photo and says: “Now I understand. Now I feel closer to them.”

If readers would like to connect with me or see more of my work, they can find me on Instagram: @abd.pix96

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ANA PALACIOS

I am a Spanish visual journalist working on long projects related to human rights, environment and animal welfare. When I am not traveling on assignment, you will often find me having long conversations with my doggy Tiza or at the movies. A fun fact about me is that I began my professional career working in film production before photography became my main profesional career. Hand to hand with directors like Ridley Scott or Jim Jarmusch and actors like Bill Murray or Natalie Portman.

How did you get interested in photography?

I first studied Journalism at the University of Navarra in Spain, because I was drawn to

storytelling, meeting new people, and discovering the world, but I always wanted to

work in movies. Later, I trained in film directing in Los Angeles and spent 17 years

working in production for major Hollywood films, a vibrant but demanding life that

eventually felt unfulfilling. In 2010, I traveled to India and photographed the work of the

Sisters of St. Ana in humanitarian projects, as an amateur, as photography has always

been my second love but my main job was in the film industry as a production

coordinator.

Sharing those images back home to my friends and peers at the film, I saw how

photographs could inspire people to act and contribute. That was the moment I

understood the transformative power of photography and I realised that is what I wanted

to do next. From then on, I slowly transitioned from film to documentary work focused

on human rights, later also environment and animal welfare. Since 2015, photography

has been my full-time vocation and profesional career.

What is your favorite type of photography?

Storytelling is my visual language. Context, detail, action, and portraiture… all of these,

combined with research and ethics, shape my documentary projects. If I had to choose,

portraiture is my favorite. A portrait is an act of generosity, allowing me into someone’s

intimacy and vulnerability, and I respond with as much respect and care as possible.

Photographing someone is a responsibility: I must convey their message faithfully and

honestly.

As for technical characteristics, I prefer natural light and simple settings, so the dignity

and presence of the person shine without distractions.

Winning this award in portraiture means a lot to me because it shows that others

connect with the emotions and stories I strive to share.

What are your aspirations as a photographer?

On the one hand, I’d love to keep collaborating with humanitarian organizations to raise

awareness and encourage social change. I also aim to develop personal projects that

explore the beauty and resilience of people and communities often overlooked by

mainstream media.

Ultimately, I hope my images can serve as bridges between wide audiences and foster

empathy.

For you, what is photography? And what are you thinking when you are

shooting?

For me, photography is about trying to put myself in someone else's shoes. Being as

empathetic as possible allows me to understand what my subjects are going through

and helps me tell their story in a more accurate way.

I think about how the image might honor the person in front of my lens and how it could

resonate with those who will see it later. Whether photographing a child survivor of

trafficking or a rescued animal, my camera becomes a tool of connection, respect, and

love.

Where can our readers find out more about you?

Both my Instagram @anapalaciosphoto and my website www.ana-palacios.com

are usually up to date. I’m quite active on social media, so I’d say both are good

places to follow my work.

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JELISA PETERSON

Many of the images of Africans we see in the media of advanced economies are based on negative stereotypes of people devastated by poverty, disease and war; depicting people who come from places which seem wild and dangerous. Such representation tend to result in a distorted vision of an entire continent of people with diverse languages, cultures and circumstances. These representations tend to limit our understanding of the very humanity of African people.

Through resisting these two dimensional characterizations, I aspire to create images that better express and document what l've personally seen and experienced over many years. I've volunteered, worked and traveled in fourteen African countries off and on since the 1990's.

African people especially the children are my inspiration to create the work I want to share as widely as possible. To promote and perhaps inspire photography which offers a more insightful representation of African people than media portrays is my goal.

Haunting is a film image I made in 2003. The sun was high in the sky when my young assistant and I took a quick break for a cold drink. A white picket fence surrounded the outside of the takeaway where we sat. I noticed a young girl about to pass by us when my intuition urged me pick up my camera. Our eyes made contact as she quickly walked past us. Her face was smudged with a traditional white "makeup" called musira. Musira is made from a root which is pounded and mixed with water. It used to paint the face for celebrations and rituals as well as makeup to decorate the face. 

You can see more about my work on my Instagram page.

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Don't forget to take a look to our other open photo contests for more opportunities to showcase your skills and creativity. Explore them here: www.theartistgallery.art/open-contests.