Bold, poetic, tender and political: AAP reveals winners of Women photography contest

Left: A doll in a pink polka dot dress carries a globe and a suitcase, set against a vintage wallpaper background with furniture, Right: A girl wearing a patterned headscarf and a decorative necklace, set against a blurred background. The photo is in black and white
(Image credit: Left: Grace Weston, Right: Robert Moran, , Courtesy All About Photo)

In recognition of the indispensable role of women in photography, All About Photo Magazine celebrates those who shape the photographic landscape. Now, the winners of the AAP's 46th edition on the theme of Women have been announced.

The photographic industry is still a male-dominated field, but the history of photography shows the remarkable contributions of women. Caught between traditional gender roles and creativity, their work was often overlooked and underappreciated.

One famous example is Vivian Maier, the French-American street photographer whose works were discovered after her death. Through her street photography, she crafted an archive of life in Chicago and New York during the 1950s and 1960s.

The female gaze and visions in the field of photography often center around identity, society, intimacy, and resistance. As AAP highlights, their challenging perspectives on conventions redefined beauty and expanded the language of photography itself.

In the 46th edition, the focus was clearly set on womanhood and was explored by over 1,700 submissions from photographers from 16 different countries across 5 continents.

Diverse photographic approaches - portraiture, documentary, fine art, and conceptual photography - created a thought-provoking collection of untold stories.

While this edition was centered on women, AAP welcomed creative voices from photographers and artists of all genders. Among the 25 winning images, 17 were created by women.

So, what does it mean to be a woman today? Let’s explore the 25 unique photographic works that offer rich perspectives on this subject, portraying womanhood in all its complexity.

Winner Gallery

Merit Award Gallery

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The winning works are showcased on All About Photo Winners Gallery and are also published in the printed edition of AAP Magazine #46 Women.

For more inspiration, browse the best photography awards and contests. If you want to know more about winning techniques and visual languages, take a look at our 'Why Shots Work' series. Here we analyze outstanding images and discuss what it takes to create award-winning imagery.

Kim Bunermann
Staff Writer

Kim is a photographer, editor and writer with work published internationally. She holds a Master's degree in Photography and Media and was formerly Technique Editor at Digital Photographer, focusing on the art and science of photography. Blending technical expertise with visual insight, Kim explores photography's time-honored yet ever-evolving role in culture. Through her features, tutorials, and gear reviews, she aims to encourage readers to explore the medium more deeply and embrace its full creative potential.

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