For those passionate about photography that pushes boundaries and sparks conversations, Female in Focus has become more than just an award—it’s a movement. Since its launch in 2019 by the British Journal of Photography and 1854 Media, the competition has challenged the industry’s status quo, carving out a space where women’s perspectives are seen, celebrated, and given the recognition they deserve.
This year’s winners continue to redefine visual storytelling, offering striking interpretations of the theme Renewal. Selected from thousands of submissions, their work explores transformation in its many forms—personal, societal, and environmental—capturing the beauty, fragility, and power of change.
With exhibitions at London’s
1014 Gallery and
The Glasgow Gallery of Photography, these images will take center stage, but you don’t have to wait for the gallery doors to open. Discover the list of winners and their remarkable projects
''At Nikon, we believe in the transformative power of photography as both a storytelling medium and a tool for cultural refl ection. We are proud to have partnered with the British Journal of Photography for Female in Focus 2024, celebrating the extraordinary talent and diverse perspectives of female and non-binary photographers from around the world. Their work not only exemplifi es creativity, vision, and technical excellence but also underscores the vital role women play in shaping impactful visual narratives that inspire change and challenge societal norms.'' - Ruby Nicholson, Communications Manager for Nikon Northern Europe
Female in Focus x Nikon vol.5 series winner © Margarita Galandina, Family Line, 2022
Female in Focus x Nikon vol.5 series winner © Margarita Galandina, Self-portrait, posing as Trans-Baikal Metis: female, 23 years old, 3rd generation.
’s project is titled Ovoo after the sacred totem poles used by the Buryat to mark spiritually signifi cant land; the Buryat are an indigenous group native to southeastern Siberia, and, as well as being born in Buryat, Galandina has maternal Buryat heritage. Using self-portraits, archival material, and family photographs, she seeks to challenge conventional narratives of the Buryat, recontextualising their complex and often hidden history. Galandina is now based in the UK, and holds an MA in Photography from the London College of Communication.
“Focusing on the early 1930s – a period during Soviet collectivisation that devastated Indigenous identities in North and Central Asia – the work examines how historical narratives are shaped, contested, and often erased within the post-colonial framework,” Galandina explains in her project statement. “My research began with the discovery of a demolished Buddhist monastery, where one of my ancestors – a Buddhist lama – served before being repressed and sent to a Soviet work camp. His survival and eventual return to Buryatia sparked an effort to salvage the region's Buddhist cultural heritage.”
Female in Focus x Nikon vol.5 series winner © Alice Poyzer, Best Friends
Constructed portrait of my best friend Katie, playing with two stuffed rats. The title of the project Other Joys partly relates to the process of making images like this one – the joy I get from converting ideas that have been stuck in my head for so long into actual photographs is insurmountable.
Female in Focus x Nikon vol.5 series winner © Alice Poyzer, Vataha the Constellation.
Vataha, awarded runner-up at the West of England Bull Terrier Championship Show, March 2024.
’s series Other Joys explores her lived experience of autism, a condition often under-diagnosed in women. Tapping into her intensely-felt special interests via self-portraits, documentary shots, and constructed images, the project helps both Poyzer and her audience better understand autism and traits such as the “heavy sensation of warmth, euphoria and excitement” when following special interests, the need for routine, and the ability to ‘mask’ or disguise these inclinations. Poyzer is currently studying for an MA in Photography at the University of the West of England, and is due to graduate in 2025; last year, she was selected as one of four Paris Photo Carte Blanche Awardees.
“The project comments on my own autistic traits,” states Poyzer. “Simultaneously, the work nods to the idea that there is still a desperate need for further autistic representation, especially in relation to autistic women. The process of making these photographs provides me with a safe space to be my true self, allowing me to unmask and experience my autistic joy to the fullest. What was once a fear of being deemed different and unusual has now become a celebration of self-acceptance and understanding.”
“While each explores themes of identity, history, self portraiture, and performance, they do so through entirely different photographic styles, shaped by the distinct perspectives of the artists behind them… Most importantly, these projects are silent protests challenging colonisation, resisting societal expectations of women, and reclaiming space in their own ways. Above all, they are women, unapologetically doing whatever they want.”
- Naoise O’Keeffe, Founder of Hot Potato Magazine,
Photo Director and Educator
and Female in Focus x Nikon judge
Female in Focus x Nikon vol.5 single image winner © Camilla Greenwell, Gertraud Platschek
This summer, I travelled to Germany to create a series of images and a short film with Gertraud Platschek, an artist whose work I’ve admired for years. She transforms everyday materials, such as cardboard, into sculptures and wearable art, often drawing inspiration from her surroundings in the Bavarian Forest. Her pieces often become part of performances that blend humour with the absurd, and I was particularly interested in creating something with her which felt part documentary but also part performative in itself.
In many ways, her approach embodies the essence of renewal. The materials she uses – seemingly discarded or undervalued – are given new life and purpose in her hands. This process of transformation mirrors the renewal of the self that Gertraud has experienced throughout her life. She shared stories of how her journey as an artist has evolved, shaped by motherhood, artistic influences and the passage of time. In a world often obsessed with youth and the rapid rise to artistic fame, meeting someone like Gertraud – who’s followed her own path and continuously evolved – was inspiring.
Her work also speaks to the renewal of the land itself. The Bavarian Forest, which serves as both her muse and backdrop, is a place of constant change – where nature’s cycles of growth, decay and rebirth are ever-present. There is a deep respect for the land within her work, alongside a knowledge of what it means to reuse and repurpose materials in a sustainable way. Through her eyes, I saw how art and life intertwine in an ongoing process of renewal, on a personal
and creative level.
The 20 winning single images showcase powerful and diverse narratives, including a self-portrait by
Asma Elbadawi, known for her successful campaign to lift the international basketball federation’s hijab ban, and a collaborative project by
Matilde Piazzi and Nadia Del Frate, created with the female workers of La Perla as they fought to keep their jobs after the luxury lingerie brand went into administration. Other standout selections include
Camilla Greenwell’s portrait of artist Gertraud Platschek and
Victoria Ruiz Prado’s tribute to the Venezuelan people.
This year’s winners are:
Asma Elbadawi, Elizabeth Brown, Rebecca Dorothy, Barbara Wozniczka, Fatimah Mujtaba, Wendy Catling, Matilde Piazzi & Nadia Del Frate, Fikayo Adebajo, Camilla Greenwell, Dale Rio, Bea Dero, Constanze Han, Hanna Wolf, Eloise Genoud, Alessia Rollo, Florence Bass, Victoria Ruiz Prado, Kasia Ślesińska, Najla Said, and Deirdre Brennan.
The two winning series, along with the 20 selected single images, will be exhibited at 10.14 Gallery in London from April 10 to May 22, 2025, and at Glasgow’s Gallery of Photography from June 26 to July 27, 2025.
Female in Focus x Nikon vol.5 single image winner © Kasia Ślesińska, Basia
Caretakers, who are often elderly themselves, often suffer from arthritis or diabetes. The reasons why women in Poland choose to work abroad as caretakers are varied. While some seek to improve their appearance through cosmetic treatments such as Botox, or purchase luxury items like new televisions, most migrate because they are unable to achieve a dignified standard of living or receive adequate pay or pensions in their home country. This issue of economic migration is prevalent in Poland, where young people migrate to countries such as England and Germany to earn higher salaries for manual labour than they would upon graduating from Poland.
In my hometown, it is common for a family member to migrate to Germany and work as a construction worker or caretaker. I have had the opportunity to meet many retired women who belong to the caretaker group and travel across the western border, primarily to Germany, to provide care for elderly people in their eighties and nineties.
These caretakers are required to be available 24/7 and remain vigilant to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their clients. They are responsible for a wide range of duties, including washing and changing the clothes of their clients, cooking, administering medication, and even providing IV therapy when necessary. Although these women may not have formal training in nursing or caretaking, they are seeking a better quality of life for themselves and their families back home. The challenges and experiences of these caretakers are worth exploring to understand the broader social and economic issues surrounding migration in Poland.
In this image, Basia takes a bath in the tub for the first time in a month. While caring for the elderly person in Germany, Basia had no time for herself; she had to constantly watch over her, never able to take her eyes off her.
Heather Agyepong, Photographer and Nikon Ambassador
Effie Price, Agent at East Photographic
Charlotte Jansen, Journalist, Curator and Photo Critic at The Guardian
Naoise O'Keeffe – Founder of Hot Potato Magazine, Photo Director and Educator
Gwen Lee, Co-Founder & Director at DECK Photography Art Centre
Marie Gomis-Trezise, Founder & Curator at Nataal, Galerie Gomis
Danielle Jackson, Co-founder and former Co-director at Bronx Documentary Center
Alia Ali, Artist and Nikon Ambassador
About Female in Focus
Female in Focus, an international photography award by British Journal of Photography, founded to spotlight the work of remarkable women photographers worldwide and to actively challenge gender inequality in the photography industry
Female in Focus x Nikon vol.5 single image winner © Dale Rio, Madge, Western Massachusetts
From the series Look At Me, in which I collaborate with sexual assault survivors to create environmental portraits that depict them from a place of strength as self-defined.
British Journal of Photography, the world’s longest running photography title, has been showcasing pioneers of the art form since 1854. Through the lenses of world-class photographers, British Journal of Photography explores rich and timely stories of art, culture, politics and society. British Journal of Photography has also created a programme of internationally renowned photography awards - including Female in Focus, OpenWalls, Portrait of Britain, BJP International Photography Award and Portrait of Humanity - all of which aim to celebrate emerging and established talent.
Explore BJP's award-winning photographic journalism online, via 1854.photography, and through the pages of its thematically-led bi-monthly print publication.
About Nikon
Nikon is a world-leading provider of imaging products and services. Its innovative optics technology - from consumer to professional cameras, lenses to system accessories - is powered by over 100 years of experience. The brand is globally recognised for setting new standards in design and performance, with Nikon’s revolutionary Z series mirrorless cameras and NIKKOR Z lenses representing a new dimension of optical performance.
Nikon is committed to leading imaging culture and enables some of the world’s best visual artists to reach their creative potential through visual storytelling. Its award-winning equipment empowers photographers and videographers to realise their creative vision at the highest level. As a trusted visionary partner, it unites all levels of content creators through its engaged community, unrivalled technical expertise and access to educational resources, via initiatives such as The Nikon School.
Female in Focus x Nikon vol.5 single image winner © Victoria Ruiz Prado, El Bravo Pueblo (The Brave People)
‘El bravo pueblo’ holds deep significance in Venezuela as a symbol of the nation’s resilience, strength and spirit. The phrase translates to ‘the brave people’ and it is often used to honour the Venezuelan population’s unwavering courage and defiance in the face of hardship. Historically, it has been associated with Venezuela’s struggles for independence, beginning with the fight against Spanish colonialism and continuing through modern-day challenges, including political oppression, economic collapse and social instability.
‘El bravo pueblo’ represents more than just resistance; it embodies the pride and determination of Venezuelans to stand up for their rights, freedom and dignity, even in the most challenging circumstances. It is a rallying cry that reflects both the collective memory of the country’s past struggles and the ongoing battle for justice, democracy and survival in the present.
Female in Focus x Nikon vol.5 single image winner © Elizabeth Brown, Baptism
Kataragama Temple complex, in Sri Lanka’s Southern Province, is a pilgrimage destination for Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists from across Sri Lanka and India. Outside the temple complex lies the Menik Ganga, a river which becomes crowded with weary pilgrims and their families. The various temples are what draw people to Kataragama, but in the intensely hot and humid climate it is the water that allows for the rebirth and renewing of spirits.
