Glenn Hunt, Dean (PEOPLE & PORTRAIT 2026)

An enthusiastic weightlifter, Dean Clifford was born with one of the most severe forms of Epidermolysis Bullosa. This rare, painful genetic skin disorder leaves the skin as fragile as tissue paper, causing wounds that never fully heal. Clifford spends around six hours each day caring for his skin. Doctors predicted he would not live past five; he is now forty-seven, one of the oldest living people with the disease. Brisbane-based but internationally renowned, Clifford has channelled that survival into a career as a motivational speaker, turning adversity into advocacy. Photographer Glenn Hunt first met Clifford on a charity shoot and, after navigating his own health challenges, felt compelled to photograph him again, this time with a specific image in mind. Deliberately shirtless, Clifford’s scars are revealed to the world. The portrait is direct and unflinching: a quiet rebuttal to those who, after a photo of him went viral, refused to believe he was real.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.