Consistently every year, on March 8, 2023, the world's leading camera manufacturer revealed the triumphant woman in the award dedicated to honoring the female counterparts of the brand. This is not just a simple accolade but one of Leica's largest annual initiatives, spanning from April of the previous year until International Women's Day on March 8 the following year.
This is also the first year (after three previous editions) that this award is extended beyond the United States territory (including the UK, Mexico, and Canada) in collaboration with both Photoville and Women Photograph. As shared by Leica USA, this project aims to amplify the voices and perspectives of women through the medium of photography.
Leica Women Foto stands out as one of the most prestigious photography competitions, catering to photographers in general and vocally expressive female photographers. In addition to a cash prize of $10,000, each winner will be presented with a brand-new Leica SL2-S camera and a Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70mm f/2.8 ASPH lens. Absolutely remarkable!
Kiran Karnani, Vice President of Marketing at Leica Camera USA, stated: “The photo project dedicated to women and honoring 'sisters' is committed to supporting stories with diverse perspectives, multiculturalism, and cultures through images portrayed by courageous and dynamic women.” This year's triumphant sisters include Anna Filipova (UK), Eli Farinango (Canada), Greta Rico (Mexico), and Mary F. Calvert (USA).Anna Filipova | Leica Women Foto Project Awards 2023
Anna is a journalist who utilizes her images to narrate stories about scientific and environmental projects. 'The Darkest Hours' explores climate change in a remote Arctic laboratory studying global warming.
Eli Farinango | Leica Women Foto Project Awards 2023
Farinango, born in Ecuador and raised in Algonquin, eastern Canada, combines traditional imagery to create photos with the message of 'passing on life,' encompassing ancestors, family, and the breath of modernity. And you know what? This woman 'composes' photos while undergoing mental health treatment, simultaneously navigating psychological therapy due to past abuse and violence.
Greta Rico | Leica Women Foto Project Awards 2023
Greta Rico, a photographer from Mexico, captures a story rooted in the pain of her own family. Siomara, Rico's cousin, became the 'mother' to her 3-year-old niece (Siomara) after the girl's mother was murdered, echoing the saying of their grandparents, 'lose a parent, gain an aunt.'
Mary F. Calvert | Leica Women Foto Project Awards 2023
Certainly, an American photographer must make a mark in the prestigious awards, and this year, that name belongs to Mary F. Calvert. She has dedicated nine years of her life documenting the sexual abuse of female soldiers in the United States Armed Forces, something that, according to her, would be overlooked if not brought to light, sounding strangely familiar =)) Calvert is no stranger to the photography community, having previously been a finalist for the 2020 Pulitzer Prize and earning numerous awards, including the World Press Photo and the Cliff Edom New America Award for the 'Left Behind' project.
Explore more about the man so influential that he even opened the largest museum in Hong Kong.
