JUDGES

SEAN FRYXELL

Based in Beacon, New York, Sean's street photography focuses on capturing raw and unfiltered moments, primarily in New York City. His images tell stories of the human condition and offer a glimpse into the lives of New Yorkers, preserving fleeting moments that define life in the present day. He is a member of the New York City Street Photography Collective (NYC-SPC). "I'm a man who takes pictures and eats bad food. I don't take pictures of the food though. It's not worth remembering the remorse."

Website: www.seanfryxell.com
Instagram: @sfryx

MARISKA KARTO

Born in Suriname, South America, Mariska carries a rich cultural heritage encompassing Surinamese, Indonesian, African, and Dutch roots. As a visual artist, she places the human figure at the center of her work to explore its vulnerability and strength. Inspired by Baroque, fantasy, and cultural iconography, Karto's imagery is both timeless and deeply personal. She explores the multifaceted nature of femininity, from quiet harmony to powerful presence, navigating the fragile space between dream and reality in her frescoes. Through a female perspective, she uses sensuality, cultural archetypes, and social themes to create still, narrative worlds. 

Website: www.mariska-karto.com
Instagram: @mariskakarto

DOUGIE WALLACE

Dougie is known for his long-term social documentary projects and a distinct, hard-edged style of street photography. Influenced by his Glasgow upbringing and decades living in East London, he focuses his lens on the tragi-comic and uninhibited side of human behaviour. His work aims to translate societal trends and raw interactions into witty, visually exaggerated, and humorous vignettes that offer a believable yet absurd point of view. His work has earned him numerous awards, been the subject of a dedicated BBC documentary, and appeared in critically acclaimed books, including Magnum Award-winning Harrodsburg. His work regularly appears in The New Yorker and The Guardian. He also shoots for major fashion brands like Balenziaga.

Website: www.dougiewallace.com

MICHAEL WAYNE PLANT

Originally from New Zealand and now based in London, Michael specialises in portrait, street, and social documentary work. He holds an MA in Photography and Urban Cultures from Goldsmiths College, where he developed his interest in connecting visual storytelling with urban life. A former Sony Global Imaging Ambassador, Michael’s career spans commercial, advertising, architectural, and fashion photography. Alongside his practice, he dedicated nearly a decade to education, serving as Head of Photography at one college and lecturing at four other London colleges, while continuing to focus on social documentary photography.

Website: www.michaelwayneplant.com  https://street-photography.net
Instagram: @michaelwplant

BARBARA DE VRIES

Dutch-born Barbara de Vries has has a long relationship with photography on both sides of the lens, from modelling (Razzmatazz and Cosmopolitan cover girl in Australia) to 30 years as a fashion designer, which includes the launch of CK for Calvin Klein as well as her own namesake collections in the UK, US, and Japan. For the past fifteen years she has produced, designed and published lifestyle books for Rizzoli USA, working with many well-known photographers. She photographed her last two books, Coming Home, Creative Living in Dutch Interiors and Living Upriver, Artful Homes, Idyllic Lives. She lives outside New York City and has a home near Amsterdam. 

Website: www.barbaradevries.net 
Instagram: @livingupriver

KAREN ISHIGURO

Karen has built a career capturing primarily fashion images for clients that she once only dreamed of. Although her path has had its challenges, Karen is glad she persevered and is now finding her unique voice in the field.

She takes pride in her role as a storyteller, whether working with an ad agency or documenting personal moments, always aiming to convey a story, mood, or vibe. For Karen, photography is more than a profession; it’s a source of deep satisfaction and a way to share meaningful experiences.

Website: www.karenishiguro.com
Instagram: @karenishigurophoto

YAN ZHANG

Yan Zhang is a highly regarded, award-winning landscape photographer and a mountaineering enthusiast. In recent years, Zhang has devoted his time and efforts to mountain and alpine landscape photography. Alongside the pursuit of capturing the sublime beauty of nature, Zhang hopes to use his photography works to inspire the conservation of our natural resources and environment.

Yan is the winner of 2022 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year (Landscape).

Website: www.yanzhangphotography.com

DIMPY BHALOTIA

Dimpy is an award-winning photographer and creative director based in both London and Mumbai. She is widely known for her captivating street, portrait and documentary photography.

Her work has received widespread acclaim and won over 24 prestigious awards globally. She was the first Indian to win the Grand Prize Award in the IPPAWARDS with her photo "Flying Boys". Her work has been exhibited internationally in New York, London, Berlin, Mumbai, and Venice, and featured in publications including The Guardian, The Washington Post, Forbes, and National Geographic."

Website: www.dimpybhalotia.com

CLAIRE DROPPERT

Claire is based in Rotterdam and widely known by her Instagram handle @claireonline, where she has over 325k followers. Her work is recognised for its focus on serenity, simplicity, and silence.

With a fascination for remote places and desolate landscapes, Droppert aims to uniquely capture the essence of natural elements. Her minimalistic subjects and distinctive editing style create a signature look that is dreamy and ethereal, designed to leave a positive, emotional impact on her audience.

Website: www.claireonline.nl
Instagram: @claireonline

PAUL BLACKMORE 

Paul is an Australian-based photojournalist known for covering social and political issues in Australia and abroad. Blackmore’s books, work and essays have been exhibited and published widely.

In his latest body of work Heat, Blackmore exposes a culture laid bare under an ever hotter sun. Against the backdrop of Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, Heat explores the intimate relationship between humanity and the ocean. Heat was published as a monograph and was featured in the exhibition 'Water' at GOMA.

Website: www.paulblackmore.com
Instagram: @paulblackmorephoto