1ST PRIZE: LAETITIA VANCON

This is a picture that I will certainly never forget. At first glance, it looks like a casual portrait of a young man in an innocent pose, in a quiet moment, reading a book. Only on second glance do you realize the story of the person portrayed. Experiencing a war and perhaps even fighting on the front line is in contrast to what being young should feel like. For me, the photographer has created an important image that has great universal significance in today’s world. – KAROLIN KLÜPPEL

A peaceful scene of simplicity becomes far more complex and layered once the viewer observes the injured subject’s leg. The soft tones and uncomplicated color palette cushion the painful concept of this image and the context it was born from. This portrait is a subtle depiction of how the effects of war ripple far beyond the boundaries of both time and geography, where lives are altered in unimaginable and complicated ways. A thought-provoking portrait. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – The Other Battlefields reveals the profound and lasting impact of war on Ukrainian youth, offering a poignant glimpse into their reality nearly two years after the conflict began. While coming of age is often synonymous with hopes, expanding horizons, and adventures, for many of them, it’s a different story. The war with Russia shattered these hopes, plunging them into danger, death, depression, and upheaval. In this essay, broken lives and faded dreams unfold, intertwined with glimmers of hope that defy the surrounding darkness. Each image captures a fragment of this complex reality, reflecting the deep scars of this battered nation. Among these stories, the visible scars serve as obvious reminders, but beneath the surface, hidden struggles, both physical and mental, are also revealed. Although they do not occur on traditional battlefields, these battles embody the ongoing daily fights for regaining freedom, dignity, recognition of their identity in new-found normality, and a belief in a better future.

2ND PRIZE: JAYANTI SEILER

I love the energy and vibrancy of this photo. The photographer has captured a great in-between moment that visualizes the state of being a child in a great way. The light is magical and I want to know what happens next. – KAROLIN KLÜPPEL

An image of surreal energy and boundless innocence is presented by the photographer, allowing the viewer to really engage their imagination in the most playful of ways. The subjects appear as if in a trance, unaware of the camera’s presence under a spell of light and wonder. A whimsical portrayal of childhood and the unique but fleeting perspective it imparts on the world around us. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – At the age of fourteen my uncle gave me my first camera and I was forever driven to document my world through the lens. It was a magical time in my youth. Years later after having become a professional photographer, I embarked on an in depth collaboration with children and their families to make photographs that draw upon a carefree, otherworldly, and somewhat tumultuous time. The body of work that emerged was a hybridization of my adult nostalgia for childhood and the children’s imaginative experiences. I sought to harness an idea of childhood where in which surrealistic wonder collides with the reality of adolescence. The series titled, Environs, is an extension of that time of curiosity in my own childhood and an attempt to recapture it. The images infuse elements of the fantastical into the children’s everyday settings as a means to give the viewer access to those critical moments of self-formation and identity.

RODRIGO ZEFERINO

A superb family portrait with an earthy color palette and complex mix of emotions and expressions to hold the viewer’s attention. There is joy and familial love apparent, but the grim reality of poverty can also be seen, weighing on the setting and the expression of the young mother at the centre of the scene – the mirror an effective framing device to both connect and create distance between subjects. The accompanying text anchors the photographer’s commitment to document the lives of these people, the stories they have to share and the reality of life in poverty. The wider body of work would no doubt be welcomed as an editorial or photo essay in any worthy news or educational publication. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Despite being located on the outskirts of Vale do Aço – an industrial region in the east of the State of Minas Gerais (Brazil), characterized by a high per capita income – the village lacks all types of infrastructure and essential services, such as water treatment sewage, education and health. The context reflects the high levels of social inequality historically associated with the country. In the midst of poverty, there is a high fertility rate on the Island: it is common to find families with 4, 5 or even 6 children. Attracted by the camera, many children were photographed by me during the two years I lived with local residents.

CHLOE CHIPPENDALE

A warm and nostalgia-filled image greets the viewer, like a postcard from the throes of young love and infatuation. The use of color and tone is well balanced throughout the double portrait, and the fenced backdrop cleverly references ideas of constraint (and breaking free from it) that come with young love. Here the framing, equipment choice and coloring all serve the feeling. The photographer has captioned the scene perfectly with a reference to both puppy love as well as the intensity of experience felt by youth on the cusp of adulthood. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Pound puppies.

BOB HAFT

The viewer is treated to a wonderfully-framed scene full of fun, excitement and the innocence of youth, where their own imagination is ignited to find the narrative within. The black and white treatment elevates the atmosphere of anticipation, leaving the image somewhat timeless like a floating, frozen memory. A dinosaur looms in the background appearing both comical and intimidating, almost like a symbol of the adulthood that is before these young children, carefree in their costumes. – LIFE FRAMER

NATALYA SAPRUNOVA

The image appears like a scene from a vintage storybook – one that shares tales of folklore and tradition. The young subject is perfectly posed, proud in her traditional costume but simultaneously reserved, almost shy as she presents herself, her innocence underpinning the scene. The photographer aims to celebrate the tradition while highlighting the potential disconnection of the next generation, an idea they caoture subtly through the subjects’ awkward posture and expression in this rich and vibrant staged portrait. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Aliona, 11 years old, of Russian origin, was born in Iyengra village. She wears an exemplary Evenki costume decorated with white fox fur and simple geometric patterns on occasion of singing competitions in the Evenki language. From the series Evenki childhood in Yakutia.

Nature and the natural environment are the entire life of the Evenki people. As traditional hunters, they have been crossing the eastern forests of Siberia for centuries, and some Evenki communities chose to settle in the boreal forest in Yakutia. Evenki nomads are recognized as being noble, confident and brave, and were referred to as the “aristocrats of Siberia.” It was the same Evenki of Yakutia who guided Soviet prospectors in search of mineral wealth, acting as mushers for geologists, teaching them how to survive in the harsh environment. The Evenki have somehow managed to live alongside industry mining their land and sacrificing it for economic growth. Nowadays, despite the sedentarization, young people continue to have interest in carrying out traditional activities linked to reindeer herding, crafting, drum dancing, wearing traditional clothes, playing outside, learning the Evenki language and singing.

OLGA STEINEPREIS

The scene is a simple yet skillful double portrait, a rich backdrop of color and texture giving the scene an added sense of depth. Without posing or posturing the two siblings appear to be relaxed and connected, allowing this beautiful portrayal of their relationship to take shape and be captured. The photograph is a simple reminder of the smaller relationships that develop and grow within a wider family unit. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Brothers.

SEBASTIAN SZCZEPANOWSKI

Pattern and perspective dominate this unconventional family portrait, the use of rich tones and natural light adding layers of atmosphere that bring the viewer directly into the enclosed space. The top-down perspective seems to act like a representation of the long upward journey of fatherhood ahead, the messiness and complexity intimated in the peeling apartment block walls. The beauty then is in the interaction between parent and child – locked in gaze, blissfully unaware of anything but the immediate moment. It’s a wholesome moment artfully framed and composed. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – The Fatherhood.

CAMILA SCHUBERT CURY

A puzzling portrait presents itself for the viewer’s attention, bringing more theories and questions than it does answers. The setting of the scene appears sterile – like a prison or hospital – and is in stark contrast to to the personable, warm and relatable drawing etched on the subject’s scalp. Although there is no face within the frame, the simple combination of an adult’s head and child’s hand portray a close, familiar connection. – LIFE FRAMER

ANDREA BETTANCINI

Both joy and sadness imbue this scene as the viewer considers both the image and caption together. Adventure and freedom are aspects of childhood to be cherished, but they weigh heavy in this scenario, the knowledge of the children’s living situation anchoring the image in a solemn tone. The photographer has captured a magical moment between these two children, focused on one another and the game at hand – the little play house an ironic but stinging reminder of their broader situation. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Two homeless children play on top of a pipeline along the Yamuna River in Agra, India.

EKATERINA FROLOVA

This is clearly a portrait composed with care and attention to detail. The photographer takes a low angle, offering a subtle sense of respect and consideration to the subject for their passion. It is an image that has a lot to say – on youth culture as well as the broader political and economic conditions of Cuba. The single silhouette figure casually lurking in the background is a well-observed detail, adding another layer to the frame. The warm rich tones, style and confident subject are reminiscent of a 90s youth culture, which perhaps speaks to the position this country takes in our globalized world. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – A skater boy photographed in the building of an abandoned Soviet factory on the outskirts of Havana. This is part of my personal project Young Cuba which captures nine Cuban youth communities and explores their lifestyles and dreams.

PATRICK HATTORI

The image portrays a true sense of gathering, connection and the freedom to express oneself amongst peers. The black and white element of the scene allows the viewer to remove any typical barriers and find resemblance to their own similar experiences of teenage union. A bitter-sweet image beautifully captured, as if the photographer foresaw the fleeting existence of these types of shared moment. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Teenage boys are seen dancing and making music on top of Bibi Mahru hill, Kabul, Afghanistan in 2003. Music and dancing were considered Haram by the Taliban, who were ousted by a US led coalition in October 2001, and teenagers all over the country were enjoying their newfound freedom. With the Taliban having regained control of the country in 2021, scenes like these are once again but a distant memory.

FELICIA SIMION

The girl within the bear suit seems both at ease with and in contrast to her second layer of skin, as if it is simultaneously hiding her true identity as well depicting a certain side of her personality. The photographer chooses to make this portrait without any flamboyant performance or background distraction of the festival – just a straightforward face to camera, allowing the girls’ piercing green eyes to connect with the viewer. A strong editorial piece that speaks to the complex coexistence of tradition and modern ideals. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – From the series The Bears from Comănești. A young girl wearing a bear suit during a local event in Racova, Romania which reenacts an ancient tradition.

CAROLINE SJÖBECK

Childhood bedrooms can offer a fascinating, intimate insight into the lives of youth – an outward manifestation of their personality, interests, dreams. Here is an image that captures both nothing and everything – “stuff” as the photographer perceptively describes it. They highlight how these relaxed everyday moments and objects can build character and strengthen long term relationships. The portrait is full of color, detail and pattern giving the viewer permission to piece together the lives of these two subject’s item by item. An interesting and personal perspective, the wider series would be interesting to observe. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Teenagers and stuff, from the series As Life Is.

GIORDANO SIMONCINI

Although abstract and difficult to comprehend the perspective, an overall sense of playfulness embodies the image through the subject’s smiling little face and the moving, ribboned material. The black and white aspect maintains the skewed perspective and conceptual composition, allowing the viewer to enjoy the scene as a whole without attempting to piece together a story. A joyful portrait, full of creativity from both subject and photographer. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – This series of photographs was taken in Peru last winter. In these last villages of Inca descent in the Queros area people live suspended above the clouds at an altitude of more than 4600 metres. Without a field or connection and with little or nothing from the material point of view people seem to live peacefully and the lightness and carelessness of the large number of children who populate these communities can make us reflect on many aspects of needs and needs realms of life. Living for a few days in one of these villages I realized that, especially in the growth phase, what is really needed in addition to basic necessities is to be surrounded by stable affections and strong connections, genuine, not only with their peers but also with the spaces that you live. The total harmony between lives and living environments that seems to settle in this small slice of the world I believe can be useful to reflect on the possibility of growing and living well in different ways and not starting from a single predetermined model. In other words, from the looks of these little people to emerge seems to be the deep value of life, regardless of everything.

LILLI GROCCIA

For some the freedom of youth is held in a child’s ability to act spontaneously and impulsively, with little consideration for what others might think – giving into your imagination and enjoying the fun there is to be had in carrying out an exciting new adventure, no matter how big or small. The photographer has encapsulated every aspect of this within the frame, the texture and tone adding to the security and confidence this small child holds within themselves. A truly enjoyable portrait of youth. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Target, Virginia 2022, from my series USA, depicting the life of kids in the US.

NICOLAS BRUNETTI

The contrast between the subject and the portraits overhead is immediate and stark – highlighting just one of the issues within this fractured city. The bright shard of warm light runs through the portrait, like a symbol of hope for this young person as they dedicate their time to creating a stable future for themselves within an unstable society. A poignant portrait within a profound series of work. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – From my series Inshallah, an Arabic word, often used by Muslims, meaning ‘If God wills’. It manifests the hope of a believer that an event may happen, the dream of seeing one’s goal realised. The project speaks about dreams and hopes of youngsters living in the Principe Alfonso barrio in Ceuta, Spain.

These youngsters live in a social exclusion, feeling a sense of suspension and waiting. They are Spanish, European, in Morocco, but they do not feel they have the same rights and therefore find themselves almost without nationality. The youngsters of Principe Alfonso cannot find work because they are considered dangerous and unskilled. Ceuta is the city with the highest unemployment rate in Europe, where the percentage is around 30%. Out of around 83,000 people, roughly 29,000 are employed. The land border between Ceuta and the Moroccan hinterland is fenced and monitored, with the aim of containing the entry of migrants into the semi-enclave. After the illegal entry of some 10,000 Moroccans in 2021, the border was closed definitively.

The barrio has a complex history and a very problematic present: in the last twenty years it has gone from wars between drug traffickers to a phase of Islamic radicalisation and links with jihadism. Today’s problem is youth crime, less organised but just as dangerous: there are shootings almost every week. The drop-out rate before the end of compulsory schooling is around 24% in Ceuta, but within Principe Alfonso it is over 56%.

The wishes of the youngsters of Ceuta are to be found between the desire to see what lies outside of this semi-enclave and to be able to be considered on an equal footing with their fellow villagers.

In this image, Mariam Mohamed Mohamed (20) is sitting outside the classroom where the exams take place, on the wall there are photos of the most prestigious professors in Ceuta (all men). She is anxiously waiting for her turn, but she is determined to achieve her goal. Mariam lives on the most dangerous street in the Principe Alfonso barrio, where shootings often occur. Her dream is to become an English teacher and have a family of her own in Ceuta.

LISA RÖTHIG

The little subject appears alone, cautious yet confident as they tread slowly into the wilderness that emerges before them. The scene feels symbolic, like the unknown future that awaits the child, unfolding in a strikingly beautiful but uncertain way. A wistful moment that deserves consideration from the viewer in both an aesthetic and conceptual sense. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – “There is so much adventure that only a youth can experience. Youth is not the time to languish in pleasure – youth is the time for exploration and adventure.” – Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev

VINCENT DUPONT-BLACKSHAW

Most of us take a fairly simplistic approach to documenting our children’s lives – focusing on the bigger, more exciting events rather than the quieter, more mundane moments. A true documentary approach makes space to fuse the two, but there is often more poignancy in the later in defining and underpinning the narrative of growing up. Here the photographer’s skill with natural light and composition are apparent, both portraiture and the nuances of documentary photography clearly a strong point for them. The juxtaposition of domestic normality with this formal hotel environment makes for an interesting comment on travel, but more so on parenthood and of adapting our everyday lives to the needs of our children, or vice versa. A subtle moment of a young life well captured. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Morning Routine. I became a photographer and a father at the same time. When we were expecting our first child, my wife, knowing my interest in photography, gave me a camera worthy of the name to document our family life. Since then, photography has allowed me to combine my work with my private life. The two are connected and feed each other. I photograph my travels, my walks, my family; my daughter has become my favourite subject to photograph.

RAVI WALIA

A harsh landscape surrounds the solo subject, both her resilience and seeming wariness or outsiders portrayed through her posture and peering gaze. For some, confidence isn’t a choice but a necessity for survival, their path to education and independence not as smooth as it is for others. This is a fact depicted clearly by this scene, a well-considered and delicately executed document of a life defined by true grit and persistence. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – I found Krishna in the middle of Chambal ravine, Rajasthan, grazing her cows. This area has a history of dacoits – a class of criminals who rob and murder in roving gangs. People do not step out of homes. But here I met a confident girl who almost showed as if she owns this jungle. Not only she stepped out from her house but one day she intends to go to college. In a land which is steeped in crime, this girl marches confidently into future.