Leica Camera Unveils the Winners of Its 6th Annual Leica Women Foto Project Award
In a tribute to International Women’s Day, Leica Camera proudly announces the winners of its sixth edition of the Leica Women Foto Project Award. This year’s theme, “Unity in Diversity,” challenged photographers to capture the essence of connection amid a divided world through a distinctly feminine perspective.
The winners—Priya Suresh Kambli (US), Jennifer Osborne (Canada), Koral Carballo (Mexico), and Anna Neubauer (UK)—were chosen by a distinguished panel of experts that includes acclaimed photojournalists and influential figures in the photography community. Each regional champion will receive a Leica SL3 camera, a Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70mm f/2.8 ASPH lens, plus a cash prize of $10,000 USD.
Karin Kaufmann, Art Director and Chief Representative of Leica Galleries International, commented, “Every year, the extraordinary talent we encounter deepens our collective celebration of visual storytelling. The Leica Women Photo Project consistently brings forward artists who express their unique visions and personal narratives with inspiring originality.”
The initiative spotlights the role of visual storytelling in enriching our communities and emphasizes female empowerment among its creators. Over the years, the award has broadened the reach of diverse visual narratives through partnerships with organizations such as Women Photograph, Women Street Photographers, and Photoville.
6th Annual Leica Women Photo Project Award Winners:
“Rice and Hand – Archive as Companion”
US Winner: Priya Suresh Kambli
Priya Suresh Kambli’s deeply personal work explores the migrant experience. Influenced by an exhibition of traditional, hand-painted Indian portraits from The Alkazi Foundation, she began reinterpreting her family archives. Her photographic journey spans over twenty years, revisiting and reimagining heirlooms and portraits to probe themes of identity, memory, and belonging—a bridge between her ancestral heritage and her new home.
“Fairy Creek”
Canada Winner: Jennifer Osborne
Jennifer Osborne’s compelling series transports viewers into the heart of the Fairy Creek protests on Vancouver Island. Beginning her documentation a week before authorities intervened, Osborne captured raw, poignant moments that highlight the courage and solidarity of activists fighting to protect ancient forests. Her work serves as a vivid record of the collective struggle for both nature and future generations, documenting a now-dismantled protest that resonated far beyond its immediate impact.
“Blood Summons”
Mexico Winner: Koral Carballo
Koral Carballo’s narrative-driven essays intertwine photography with oral history to investigate the search for identity within Afro-descendant and mestizo communities in Veracruz. Through powerful images, she unearths the deep roots of family trauma and historical injustice. Her project, aptly titled “Blood Summons” (or La Sangre Llama), symbolizes a call to reconnect with ancestral legacies and fosters a dialogue that seeks healing and unity.
“Ashes from Stone”
UK Winner: Anna Neubauer
Anna Neubauer’s ongoing documentary project, Ashes from Stone, presents a thought-provoking series that challenges traditional norms of beauty and strength. With a focus on individuals from varied cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, her portraits give voice to those often overlooked by mainstream narratives. Each image is accompanied by a personal story that redefines conventional notions of femininity and encourages a deeper understanding of resilience and empowerment.
More info:
https://leica-camera.com/en-US/leica-women-foto-project/about
