Welcome to Female in Focus,

a guide celebrating women

in photography, brought to
you by 1854 Media. Get ahead
with valuable advice from
some of the leading voices
in the industry.

Image ©
Fern Berresford,
from the series
Time to Reign.

Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography 1

Contents

Welcome to the
1854 Media guide for
women in photography
4 Introduction
6 About us
8 Why do we need to
get women more involved
in photography?
16 
How things are changing

Hear from women

in the industry
18 Introduction
20 The need for different
perspectives
22 Why are young female
photographers becoming
disengaged?
24 Moving things forward
26 Key platforms pushing
for equality
28 Institutional changes

Meet the female
photographers
inspiring change
30 Introduction
32 Getting started in the industry
34 Noteworthy projects

Get involved in our awards
46 Introduction
48 Previous winners
64 About Female in Focus
Image from the
series Drummies
© Alice Mann/
Institute Artist.

2 Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography 3

Welcome
We launched the Female in Focus platform to
international acclaim in 2019. The aim of the
guide was – and is – to celebrate exceptional
women photographers around the world, while
drawing on leading industry voices to explore how,
together, we can push for gender equality in the
photography industry.
Almost 80% of photography graduates are women.
Yet women make up only 15% of professional
photographers. Determined efforts to break the ceiling
have been building for decades; we’ve seen generations
of trailblazing women achieving big success in the
industry, and equality is improving. But not nearly fast
enough. With a new decade underway, the cold, hard
numbers have changed little: still, an overwhelming
minority of women are being commissioned,
published and exhibited around the world.
For non-white and non-Western women
photographers, the state of affairs is even bleaker.
How can we hope to see an accurate and nuanced
depiction of the world if all those documenting it are
homogeneous? We need fresh perspectives. We need a
spectrum of ideas. We need a photographic landscape
that is representative of all facets of society.
Brought to you by 1854 Media and British
Journal of Photography, this guide is the first of its
Image from the
series Drummies
© Alice Mann/
Institute Artist.
4 Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography
Introduction
kind. It seeks to provide valuable insights into the
root causes of gender disparity in the photography
industry, while proposing practical solutions to move
things forward. Because ultimately, only when we start
taking accountability at every level of the industry
– from photographers to commissioners to media
companies to publications – can photography be made
truly fair and equal.
From Adenrele Sonariwo, founder of Rele Art
Gallery in Lagos, Nigeria, to Daniella Zalcman,
founder of Women Photograph, this guide offers
insights from pioneering photographers and industry
leaders around the world, all of whom are doing vital
work to transform the photography industry into a
more diverse place.
Following an acclaimed exhibition at United Photo
Industries in Brooklyn, New York, to mark the end
of Female in Focus 2019 (which was extended due to
popular demand), this year will see us continue our
dedication to growing the platform. By discovering
and promoting women photographers around the
world, and offering resources to help them succeed, we
are committed to helping tackle the imbalance.
Female in Focus is a platform for women-
identifying photographers of any level. Trans and
non-binary voices are welcome.
Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography 5
 About us

1854 Media and British

Journal of Photography
are two of the world’s
leading sources for
photography

We are an award-winning digital media organisation with a global audience that includes millions of
photographers, arts lovers and brands. At our core are internationally renowned photography awards – including
Portrait of Britain™, Portrait of Humanity™ and the BJP International Photography Award – that discover and
promote new talent; Studio 1854, a visual content agency that helps brands produce standout narrative-led visual
content; and British Journal of Photography, the world’s longest-running and most influential photography title,
showcasing pioneers of the art form since 1854. British Journal of Photography is a monthly publication that
offers an international perspective on contemporary photography, focusing on fine art, documentary, and the
cutting edge of editorial and commercial practices.

Image from the series

Exodus: The Climate
Migration Crises
© Yagazie Emezi.

6 Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography 7
How severe
is gender
Average
photographers’
salary in the US.2

inequality in
photography?
Here are the
$50,594
facts and
figures
$28,042
70-80%
On an international
scale, 70% to 80%
of photography
students are women,

13-15%
but only 13% to 15%
of them go on to
achieve the status
of a professional
photographer.1

8 Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography 9
photography
Commercial Less than 25% of
the commercial
photographers
represented by 70 of
the industry’s leading
agents are women.4

Just 18% of the

AOP’s accredited
photographers
and assistant
photographers are
women – compared
with 75% of its student
members.5
In the US, 92% of
adverts are shot by
men, as are 85% of
magazine covers.3

10 Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography 11
photography
In 2017, a study
of 153 magazine
covers from the
10 leading US
fashion publications
showed that only
13.7% of them were
shot by female
photographers.6
Fashion

12 Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography 13
photography
Out of a sample of
5202 photographers
from more than 100
countries over four
years, research
shows that more than
half of participating
photographers are
Caucasian/white, over
80% are men and about
two thirds are between
the age of 30 and 49.7

Data from Women

Photograph reveals
News

that between April

and June 2019, eight
of the world’s leading
newspapers printed
drastically fewer
lead photographs by
women than by men.
Figures ranged from
just 4.2% (three out of
72 photos published) in
Le Monde to 47% (44/92)
in the San Francisco
Chronicle.8

14 Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography 15
What sort of progress are we making?
Gradually, we’re working
towards change
Granted, the data is discouraging. But every day,
positive steps are being taken: there are a rapidly
growing number of organisations, publications and
individuals working to drive change, and certain
trends that are working in their favour.
Verónica Sanchis Bencomo – founder of Foto
Féminas, a platform for Latin American women
photographers – cites social media, and Instagram in
particular, as a key factor in accelerating change. Dr
Rebecca Swift, Global Head of Creative Insights at
Getty Images, elaborates: “Instagram has brought with
it a whole slew of female photographers who are able
to get that very intimate, observational feel to their
imagery, because that’s the way they look at the world.
They are becoming very successful because of it.”
Juno Calypso is one example of a female art college
graduate whose online following has helped her
excel. Bypassing the centuries-old gallery networks
traditionally needed to set oneself up as an artist –
networks which, unsurprisingly, historically favour
Image from the series
Every Breath We Drew
© Jess T Dugan.
16 Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography
men – Calypso took her photography career into her
own hands. Within just a few months of sharing her
work on platforms such as Instagram and Tumblr,
style websites and celebrities began reposting it,
promoting her amongst their millions of followers.
Now boasting more than 120,000 followers herself,
Calypso has a ready-made market for her work, and
she’s gone on to secure commissions from the likes
of Burberry and Garage Magazine. “[The internet] is
democratising the art world,” she says. “People who
previously didn’t have access can now see and be seen.”
Offline, too, recent statistics suggest leading
institutions are gradually taking note of the need for
new practices. In 2017, 47% of photographic grants
from the National Geographic Society were awarded
to women. In 2019, Les Rencontres d’Arles dedicated
a section to women-led narratives after 340 industry
specialists signed an open letter criticising the
festival’s paucity of women. The World Press Photo
2019 contest saw a 20% rise in women photographers
nominated – although, that being said, this still only
constituted 14 out of 43 nominees. Which confirms
much of what we already knew: equality is improving,
but not nearly quickly enough.
So, what will speed it up? Transparency. A willingness
for change. Conscious and collective effort, at every
level of the industry, to achieve a common goal. In this
guide, we propose tangible steps to help get us there.
Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography 17
Hear from women in the industry

The photo
industry has
a long way to
go towards
equality. These
are some of
the women From Fiona Shields, Head of Photography
at The Guardian, to Fariba Farshad,
Founding Director at Photo London, here we

helping it get
introduce you to some of the women driving
the industry forwards. Collectively, they help
us address key issues head-on: such as,

there
why is there such a dramatic gap between
the number of female photography
graduates and those who go on to become
professional photographers? What platforms
exist to help women advance? And why
Image from the
series Paredes exactly is it so important that representation
que hablan ©
Wara Vargas Lara. is varied and diverse?
18 Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography 19

19

Why is it important that
we see work from varied
perspectives?
“Seeing photography from a multitude of different
perspectives really helps us to make sense of the
world around us, to be more sensitive, sympathetic
and understanding to the different outlooks that exist
alongside our own,” explains Adenrele Sonariwo,
a Nigerian entrepreneur and curator. Sonariwo was
the lead curator of the first Nigerian pavilion at the
57th Venice Biennale in 2017, and is the founder of
the Rele Art Gallery in Lagos, Nigeria. The gallery’s
mission since its inception has been to encourage
new audiences to engage with and appreciate art by
Nigerian artists.
For too long, the Western male gaze has dominated
our worldview. Why does this need resolving? Because
photographs don’t just show us things. They tell us
how to see. When we document the world through
a homogenous lens, we are teaching our audience to
interpret the world – its art, culture, conflicts, people
– from a masculine Western perspective. “We always
have a different understanding of things, whether
we’re a woman, a man, a local or a foreigner,” remarks
Verónica Sanchis Bencomo. “Everyone adds to the
comprehension of a situation.”
This rings particularly true in the field of
photojournalism. “For the longest time,” explains
Image from the series
For Your Eyes Only
© Pixy Liao.
The need for different perspectives
Daniella Zalcman, founder of Women Photograph,
“documentary photography has been a typically
masculine colonial practice, predicated on the idea
that we in the West are somehow more equipped to
tell the stories of communities around the world than
they are themselves.” But of course, to report justly
on global issues, publications have to extend their
perspectives beyond the experiences and references
of one presiding demographic. On the question of
redressing the gender imbalance, The Guardian’s
Fiona Shields maintains: “We do it by promoting the
work of great female photojournalists, and creating
role models to inspire women to consider that this
profession could be for them.”
Beyond the realm of photojournalism, Verónica
Sanchis Bencomo addresses how outsider perspectives
can create stereotypes, framing cultures through
a reductive and often unreliable lens. Bencomo
conceived Foto Féminas in response to a frustratingly
one-dimensional portrayal of Latin America. “Mostly,
works from Latin America are very political,” she
explains. “I’m from Venezuela, so I know why. But I
also know it’s not the entire picture.” Bencomo saw the
need to nurture a space where a multitude of people
and stories from across the continent could be heard.
Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography 21
 Where are we losing young women photographers
— and what can we do to re-engage them?
Almost 80% of photography
graduates are women,
and yet women make up
only 15% of professional
photographers
We know that women’s interest in photography
is there – so what is it that’s deterring them from
advancing to professional level? And what practical
steps can we take to rectify this?
“Half of women leaving university already think
their careers are done-for before they even start,”
says photographer Rhiannon Adam. It seems many
feel they’re not taken seriously, or that they’re treated
paternalistically by their peers – particularly in
documentary photography, where the work can be
viewed as dangerous or physically strenuous. Without
universities taking active measures to combat this,
women are left primed for rejection at the most
pivotal time: post-graduation, when securing strong
foundations for a portfolio is crucial.
“If you don’t pin down those great assignments at
the outset of your career,” explains Ali Hanan, founder
of diversity initiative Creative Equals, “it’s very difficult
to get the breaks that make your portfolio look
brilliant.” And unconscious bias doesn’t help. While
employers and commissioners may not consciously
discriminate, Hanan argues that often, whether they
realise it or not, “people prefer to hire people who look
and sound like themselves”.
Image from the series
Exodus: The Climate
Migration Crises
© Yagazie Emezi.
Verónica Sanchis Bencomo adds another layer:
when she started picking up assistant jobs, the work
was physical. Although women may be more than
capable in this area, the perception that they aren’t
“may have an impact on whether photographers
decide to hire a man as an assistant over a woman,”
Bencomo says. And so begins a vicious cycle: a
portfolio or CV that doesn’t stand out is unlikely
to be selected for further opportunities. What’s
more, shrinking budgets and cautious clients mean
commissioners are less prone to taking ‘risks’.
As well as actively inviting women into creative
spaces, we must make a conscious effort to make
those spaces welcoming. How? Ensuring there’s
more than just one woman in the room would be
a start. As would be ending the widespread culture
of indifference toward harassment and abuse. Even
after #MeToo, the photography industry’s reckoning
has proved stunted. In a 2018 report in the Columbia
Journalism Review, interviews with 50 women painted
a picture of leading photojournalism institutions
fraught with bullying, where harassment is accepted
as a given, and where people are afraid to speak out
for fear of being branded ‘difficult’ – while editors and
directors overlook it.
“When an industry is so dominated by men at
every level and at nearly every major institution,”
remarks Vox Visuals Editor Kainaz Amaria, “a toxic
culture toward women is the inevitable result.”
Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography 23
 How you can help move things forward
It is the responsibility of the leaders and gatekeepers
of any institution to stay abreast of the need for
diversity, and put active measures in place to achieve
it. On a more individual level, however, a start could
be thinking about a photographer you know or
like, and recommending them, wherever you can.
Because ultimately, the simple fact is that everybody
is responsible for driving palpable change – and
a recommendation could just be the thing that
convinces a commissioner to hire that ‘risk’.
With a view to championing minority
photographers – particularly women of colour –
Daniella Zalcman suggests every photographer should
look at the (cultural, social, political) context of the
commissions they’re offered, and consider whether
another photographer might be better placed to tell
Whether you’re a
that story. “A huge part of expanding and improving
the field is making sure that we collectively make
photographer, an industry
space for image-makers who have been historically
marginalised out of the industry,” explains Zalcman.
At the same time, we must work to combat the
professional or simply
implicit stereotyping of subject matter, whereby
photographers are pigeonholed into speaking
someone with a love for
on behalf of an entire gender or culture. For
example, Ngadi Smart says of her role as an African
photographer: “We should not need to specifically
photography, there are
focus on changing stereotypes of what being African
is through our visual storytelling. That is an additional
things you can do to help
burden that other artists from other continents are
push for change
Image from the series
The Time I Have Left
© Constanza Hevia H.
24 Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography
not expected to subscribe to.” Similarly, on a much
broader level, explicitly gender-based narratives
– while they are vital – should not stipulate the
beginning and end of a woman’s contribution to
photography. Commissioners, curators and editors
should be mindful that marginalised perspectives are
necessary on all manner of subject matter – not just
that regarding their own plight.
Finally, to stop workplace harassment and
abuse, the culture of passive bystanding must end.
“We have to confront some ugly realities,” says
photojournalist Amanda Mustard. “It’s going to
be uncomfortable, and we have to be willing to be
uncomfortable to make these changes… But the real
change will come from every gatekeeper opening up,
putting a protocol in place, and saying, ‘This is a safe
space. Women, tell us what’s wrong. Tell us who was
doing this to you’. If I’m totally honest, I don’t think
many people want to do this.”
Ultimately, all issues of equality and inclusion
in the photography industry – from selection bias
and pigeonholing to sexual harassment and beyond
– can only be rectified by a collective effort, at every
level of the industry. In the words of photographer
Alice Zoo: “A support network needs to be established
both from bottom-up and top-down, and everybody
– from photographers to commissioners to clients
to publications – must work together to achieve the
common goal.”
Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography 25

Here are some of the
platforms you should
know about
Daniella Zalcman launched Women Photograph
in 2017, and has since made a big impact on the
industry. Fiona Shields, Head of Photography at
The Guardian, cites Women Photograph as a key
platform she relies on to commission more diverse
photographers. “Daniella Zalcman has called the
bluff of picture editors who said they couldn’t find
any female photographers to take their commissions,”
says Shields. “Women Photograph has created a
comprehensive directory of contacts – so no excuses.”
The private database includes more than 950
independent women and non-binary documentary
photographers based in 100+ countries, and is
available to any commissioning editor or organisation.
Alongside this, Women Photograph operates an
annual series of project grants for emerging and
established photojournalists, a year-long mentorship
programme, and a travel fund to help women
photographers access workshops, festivals and other
developmental opportunities.
Other eminent initiatives include:
Creative Equals – Works with businesses in the
creative industries, offering training, workshops and
equality certifications to diversify workforces.
MFON – A publication committed to establishing
and representing a collective voice of women
photographers of African descent.
Image from
the series
The Ideal Woman
© Kourtney Roy.
26 Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography
Key platforms pushing for equality
Equal Lens – A platform committed to improving
women’s representation in advertising and
commercial photography.
The Authority Collective – A group of women,
femmes, trans, non-binary and gender non-
conforming people of colour reclaiming their
authority in the photography, film and VR/AR
industries.
We, Women – A grant programme challenging
discriminatory power structures and championing
marginalised voices in photography.
Foto Féminas – A platform dedicated to amplifying
women photographers in Latin America and the
Caribbean.
African Photojournalism Database – Set up by the
World Press Photo Foundation.
Everyday Africa – A more general directory
of emerging and professional African news
photographers.
Rele Art Gallery in Lagos, Nigeria – Founder
Adenrele Sonariwo works as a leading authority in
bringing Nigerian photographers to the fore.
As increasing numbers of industry gatekeepers
take note, and more of them begin to deploy these
platforms in their hiring processes, we hope to see
change on a deeper level.
Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography 27
27

How are things changing
on an institutional level?
One of the most important, and indeed hardest, things
we can do is hold ourselves accountable for our own
practices. Last year, our awards programme saw a rise
in female winners of 38% to 41%; this marks progress,
but not yet parity. We are proud to say that 54% of the
photographers we commission through Studio 1854
are women.
Photography institutions across the globe have
similarly been working to rectify their shortcomings
in recent years. In 2018, Paris Photo launched
their Elles × Paris Photo initiative to celebrate and
draw attention to women photographers. Fariba
Farshad, founder of Photo London, approaches
her fair with similar awareness, acknowledging
that “it’s important we find ways to celebrate new
voices”. Much of her personal work has been in the
interest of bringing attention to unknown Iranian
photographers. Her exhibition Burnt Generation was
an attempt to “explore the deep well of talented young
photographers working in Iran, and to bring their
stories to public attention.”
At The Guardian, Head of Photography Fiona
Shields maintains an even gender balance among
the photographers on contract. “The picture editors
Image from the series
Sisyphus © Kata Geibl.
28 Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography
Institutional changes
responsible for making commissions all understand
the importance of diversity bringing a varied view to
our journalism, and the need to challenge unconscious
bias,” says Shields.
At National Geographic, processes are now in
place to ensure that photographers are commissioned
equally. The visuals team attends portfolio reviews
across the globe for the purpose of finding
new storytelling talent. Sarah Leen, Director of
Photography at National Geographic, ensures each
photo editor comes up with women or people of
colour to consider for every job. “We are also keeping
track of our own statistics,” she says. “Year after year,
the number of women and people of colour producing
work for the magazine is improving.”
National Geographic has also developed resources
to reach marginalised photographers at education
level. Their Second Assistant Grant programme helps
champion women and other underrepresented groups
who have an interest in learning the more technical
aspects needed for stories about science, archaeology,
natural history and underwater photography. Selectees
are invited on assignments with more experienced
photographers to learn new skills.
Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography 29
Advice & inspiration: meet the
women photographers driving change

These are just

a few of the
noteworthy
women
photographers
on the scene
today
There are many women photographers achieving
big success in the industry today, following in the
footsteps of generations of trailblazers before them.
In this section of the guide, we spotlight some of our
favourite practitioners on the contemporary scene.
Learn from photographers who have overcome key
challenges within the industry, whether it’s making
that leap from graduate to professional, feeling
pigeonholed to documenting ‘women’s issues’ or
simply persevering through criticism.

Image from the series

To Survive on This Shore
© Jess T Dugan.

30 Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography 31

Getting started in the industry
Navigating your first steps
in the industry can be
daunting, and there’s
no specific formula. But
trusting in your own
methods and skill is a
good place to start.
Kata Geibl is a photographer in the early stages of
her career. In 2018, Geibl was selected as a winner
of Paris Photo’s Carte Blanche Award, a key
platform offering career-boosting exposure for
European photography students – not to mention,
historically, a great predictor of future success.
Of the four winners in total, Geibl was the only
woman. Having recently graduated from Moholy-
Nagy University of Art and Design in Budapest,
and Aalto University School of Arts, Design and
Architecture in Helsinki, Geibl confirmed that on
both photography courses, more than half of her
classmates were women.
32
Despite Geibl’s success at Paris Photo – as well as
having exhibited as part of Unseen Amsterdam
in 2018 – she has found it considerably tough to
achieve what she feels is real industry recognition.
“If you want to start working in the industry, you
start small, doing assistant jobs,” says Geibl, “but
as a woman, it can even be hard to get an assistant
job”. For any photographer, perseverance is key; in
2019, Geibl received the József Pécsi Photography
Scholarship and was nominated by Capa Center
Budapest as a talent for Futures Platform.
South African photographer Alice Mann is at a
later stage in her career. Her project Drummies
was awarded the PHMuseum Women’s
Photographers Grant and the Taylor Wessing
Photographic Portrait Prize; she also received the
Grand Prix at the Hyeres International Festival of
Fashion and Photography 2019. But starting out,
Mann faced similar issues to Geibl. In her early
days, Mann felt her feminine attributes invited
condescension from her peers and superiors: “I
come across as young and a bit under-confident.
I’m quite softly spoken, and I get told a lot that
I should be more assertive,” she says. “But I don’t
think you have to be a dominant or assertive
person to get results.”
In fact, Mann now contends those same factors
she once attributed to her shortcomings have
become integral to her success. She finds her
typically ‘feminine’ character, historically equated
with weakness, puts her subjects more at ease:
they become more susceptible to opening up,
surrendering their stories and revealing their
true selves. The distinct power of Mann’s work is
in its intimacy; had she followed a consensus of
bullishness earlier on, her work may never have
garnered the same impact.
Gillian Hyland, a winner of Female in Focus 2019,
finds herself in the same position as Mann. “Being
honest and vulnerable in my practice has meant
I’ve developed skills that allow me to relate to my
subjects, and draw authentic feelings and stories
out of them,” says Hyland. “There is something
distinctly feminine about this ability – but often
these qualities aren’t valued as highly as I feel they
should be”.
It seems clear, then – cliché as it may sound – that
trusting in your own processes can go a long way.
Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography 33
Noteworthy projects

The photography
industry is rife
with exciting
projects by
female and
non-binary artists. Pixy Liao Experimental Relationship

Here are some “When making artwork, your gender matters. In a

male-dominated society and art world, what you
want to express is not necessarily what the majority

of the ones on would like to see,” says Shanghai-born, Brooklyn-

based photographer Pixy Liao. “Most of my works
are about my experience as a woman.” Liao’s most

our radar
recognised work, Experimental Relationship, considers
her bond with her boyfriend, Moro. His being five
years junior to Liao has changed her concept of
relationships. “As a woman brought up in China,
I used to think I could only love someone older and
more mature than me, who could be my protector
Image from and mentor,” she says. Her photographs explore the
the series
Experimental alternative possibilities of heterosexual relationships.
Relationship
© Pixy Liao.

34 Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography 35

35
 Noteworthy projects

Jess T Dugan
To Survive on This Shore
Jess T Dugan is a non-binary
portrait photographer paying
homage to the people who have
paved the way. This work explores
issues of identity, gender and
sexuality, and the photographs
are a celebration of transgender
and non-binary communities.
The most recognised projects
are Every Breath We Drew and
To Survive on This Shore. “I am
interested in people who have
found a way to embody their
authentic selves, often despite
and in direct opposition to societal
expectations,” Dugan says. To
Survive on This Shore is made up of
a series of portraits and interviews
with gender-nonconforming and
transgender adults.

Image from the series

To Survive on This Shore
© Jess T Dugan.

36 Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography 37

Success stories Noteworthy projects

Kourtney Roy
The Ideal Woman
Kourtney Roy uses
photography as a way to
express her desires, dreams
and illusions. “I want to live
out as many parallel lives
as possible,” she says. Her
The Ideal Woman series
incorporates aspects of
cinematic image-making to
create photographs that
border the real and the
fantastical. In disconcertingly
doll-like self-portraits – in which
she adopts a multitude of
clichéd ‘women’s roles’ – Roy
assumes the role of both
object and objectifier, subtly
deconstructing the male gaze.

Image from the series

The Ideal Woman
© Kourtney Roy.

38 Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography 39
Noteworthy projects

Ngadi Smart
Amorphophallus Aphyllus
Ngadi Smart is a West African
multidisciplinary artist who
merges illustration and
photography. Her work
explores representations of
African identity, sensuality and
cultural expression; her project
Amorphophallus Aphyllus
focuses mainly on African
notions of masculinity and
femininity, and their various
interchangeable facets.

Image from the series

Amorphophallus
Aphyllus ©
Ngadi Smart.

40 Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography 41
Noteworthy projects

Yagazie Emezi
Re-learning Bodies
Yagazie Emezi’s work focuses
on African women, and aims
to subvert tragic stories told
about the continent. “Tragedy
is a reality and a narrative I
am not against,” she explains.
“I am, however, against the
selective and repetitive focus
on the tragedies of people of
colour in the media.” Her work
is not exclusive to stories of
either good fortune or distress.
“I simply make the conscious
decision not to focus on a
single emotive narrative,” she
says. Her ongoing project,
Re-learning Bodies, explores
how trauma survivors within
African communities adapt to
their new bodies.

© Yagazie Emezi,
from the series
Re-learning Bodies.

42 Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography 43

Noteworthy projects

Alice Mann
Drummies
“As a white South African
photographer working with
subjects of colour, it’s important
that I step back, listen and respond
to what people are telling me,” says
Alice Mann. Drummies documents
the subculture surrounding all-girl
drum majorette teams in South
Africa, who come from some of
the country’s most marginalised
communities. Mann’s work dissects
many aspects of South African
culture, and maintains the aim of
creating images that empower
her subjects. “I critically question
a lot of aspects of South African
society,” she explains. “It’s a very
complex space.”

Image from the

series Drummies
© Alice Mann/
Institute Artist.

44 Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography 45

Get involved in our awards
Winning or
being shortlisted
for an award
can open
doors to big
opportunities
For emerging photographers, winning or being
shortlisted for an award can be a way of breaking into
a notoriously competitive industry. For established
photographers, it can be the badge of honour that
takes a career from successful to remarkable.
Besides prestige, many awards offer generous
grants as prizes, which can help photographers
pursue passion projects that might otherwise fall
by the wayside. Awards can also offer group or solo
exhibitions, providing exposure to curators, picture
editors, and gallerists on the lookout for fresh talent.
Many leading contemporary photographers
have several awards under their belt. Juno
Calypso, who has a number of wins behind her
(including BJP International Photography Award
in 2015, Foam Talent Call in 2016, and the Royal
Photographic Society Vic Odden Award in 2018)
Image from the
series Beautiful
has gone on to secure solo shows in Ireland and
© Kourtney Roy. Milan, with subsequent commissions by Burberry
46 Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography
and Garage Magazine. Alice Mann – whose name
dominated headlines since Drummies scooped
the £15,000 first prize in the Taylor Wessing
Photographic Portrait Prize 2018 – found big success
thanks to the award: “It’s a huge opportunity. I’ve
subsequently been able to meet people that I’ve looked
up to for so long. It’s an amazing platform that I’m
very grateful for.”
“Grants, competitions and awards are all great
ways to encourage photographers of both genders
to continue to push and create relevant work,”
says Adenrele Sonariwo, founder of Rele Art
Gallery in Lagos, Nigeria. Of course, most awards
are (theoretically) inclusive of all genders – but
unconscious bias means the awards scene is still
dominated by male winners. And so women-only
awards like Female in Focus, open to all women-
identifying and non-binary photographers, mark a
welcome and necessary bid to redress the imbalance.
“Winning Female in Focus gave me the
opportunity to reach new audiences, exhibit my work
and discover other amazing female photographers
from around the world,” says Katinka Schuett, one of
two Female in Focus 2019 Series Winners. “It meant
exposure: I received so many interview requests and
opportunities to publish my work. It enriched my
project in many ways.”
It’s also vital, of course, to champion diversity on
the judging side of award programmes (which should,
in turn, help select a more varied range of winners).
When choosing which award to enter, consider
the judging panel: is it a mix of genders, races and
backgrounds? Even more importantly, if the answer to
this question is no, and you’re invited to be involved,
speak up. “If you’re asked to speak on a panel, or judge
an award,” says Daniella Zalcman, founder of Women
Photograph, “and the group is utterly homogenous,
ask the organisation to reconsider.”
Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography 47
47
 Previous winners

Previous award winners give their thoughts and

advice on finding success in the photography
industry.

Meet some of our women award winners as they

shed light on challenges they’ve faced, offer tips
to stand out from the crowd and give advice on
navigating a male-dominated industry.

48 Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography 49

Previous winners

Gillian Hyland
Female in Focus 2019 The challenges I’ve faced are…
“I have had some challenging and upsetting
Winner (Single Image experiences with galleries who took advantage.
I often asked myself, ‘Would they treat me like
Category) this if I was a man?’ Now I am more sensitive to
the kind of people I want to work with, and I’m
exploring the role of identity and gender in my
work more. I feel there are many old-fashioned
ways of perceiving a photographer, and it
has been predominantly male. Often, in the
past, clients would assume I was a man when
seeing my work. When I asked more about
why, it seems that as my work is technical,
the preconception is that it’s more like a male
photographer’s work.”

My most important piece of advice is…

“Create work that means something to you.
Think about the intention behind the image
and be brave by using your own voice to
say something from the heart. For me, as a
female photographer, I draw a lot from my own
personal experiences and memories. I share my
inner landscaper through the images I make.
And remember that being a photographer
means so much more than just the technical skill
to take a photo. For me, it’s about why I have
chosen to take that photo, and what I want it to
Image © Gillian Hyland. say in the world.”
50 Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography 51
Previous winners

Katinka Schuett
Female in Focus 2019
Winner (Series Category)
The challenges I’ve faced are…
“Gender has definitely had an impact on my work,
like having to assert myself in a male-dominated
working environment. It’s well-known that there are
still fewer women represented in museums, galleries,
and exhibitions — not only in photography, but arts in
general. We have to recognise that we still need to fill
the gap and, in order to push that forward, we need
awards and initiatives like Female in Focus to increase
visibility. At least for now.”

My most important piece of advice is…

“I think it is important that you identify with the
work you’re doing. You need to build the self-
confidence necessary to show your work,
talk about and spread it.”

Image © Katinka Schuett,

52 Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography 53

Previous winners

Laura McCluskey
Portrait of Britain 2018
Winner
The industry is improving because…
“Although photography is an industry with
patriarchal roots, I feel that in recent years it
has changed in a way that allows for a female
voice to be heard. I’ve noticed a huge change in
standards within the fashion photography industry
specifically, with the shift towards body positivity, and
an open attitude towards sex and age allowing for
a feeling of inclusivity.”

My most important piece of advice is…

“For any photographer now, whether female or not,
the photography industry can be difficult to get into.
However, I would suggest assisting a photographer
who inspires you as a route in. I started out assisting
Suki Dhanda for three years — I wanted to work
with her after seeing her work, and I emailed and
called her until I got a job! Alongside this, I began
to shoot my own work and enter competitions.
Entering competitions allowed me to develop a visual
narrative and common themes in my personal work.”

Image © Laura McCluskey.

54 Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography 55
Previous winners

Charley Williams
Portrait of Britain 2018
Shortlisted
My most important piece of advice is…
“Never compare your work to other photographers.
Take inspiration from those you admire, but don’t fall
into the trap of thinking you’ll never be as good as
them. My shortlisted Portrait of Britain submission was
taken after a long hiatus from photography because
I was so stuck in the mindset that I wasn’t good
enough. If I hadn’t pushed myself to get back out
there I wouldn’t be where I am today!”

The challenges I’ve faced are…

“It’s important to understand how you as a person will
affect your images. For example, I take advantage of
the fact that I am small and can hide away unnoticed
to get candid shots. Compare this to Bruce Gilden,
whose street portraits are so in-your-face it’s amazing
he gets away with it! He takes advantage of the
fact that he’s a big guy, and less likely to experience
conflict after firing a flashgun in somebody’s face!”

Image © Charley Williams.

56 Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography 57
Previous winners

Andrea Zvadova
Portrait of Britain 2018
Winner
My most important piece of advice is…
“Create something for you, not to please others or
to follow trends. Be critical of yourself, ask for reviews
of your work, learn from professionals in the industry.
Try collaborating; teamwork helps you to understand
others’ approaches and can spark more creativity.
The biggest challenge is carrying heavy equipment.
Definitely work out, because having a stronger
body helps you to not feel destroyed the day after
a long shoot!”

Image © Andrea Zvadova.

58 Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography 59
Previous winners

Maryam Wahid
Portrait of Britain 2018
Winner
My most important piece of advice is…
“Don’t be afraid of new challenges. Always support
other women around you and never forget to
acknowledge other women who have helped you
on your journey. Enter competitions, apply for prizes,
network, and work really, really hard. My image
won BJP’s Portrait of Britain 2018, and I was invited
to the launch party where I met incredible female
photographers such as Natasha Caruana and
Lauren Forster, as well as facilitators, editors, writers
and various other talented women in photography.
Meeting other women in the industry made me
feel motivated and inspired as a young female
photographer.”

Image © Maryam Wahid.

60 Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography 61
Previous winners

Arabelle Zhuang
Portrait of Britain 2018
Winner
My most important piece of advice is…
“When entering competitions and awards, choose
work that moves both you and the viewer. Be
passionate about what you put out — don’t be afraid
to let people hear your voice. The industry might be
male-dominated, but that means that you are able to
stand out. Put in 101%, step out of your comfort zone
and give it your all. Don’t be afraid to be creative and
to experiment.”

Image © Arabelle Zhuang.

62 Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography 63

About Female in Focus

From 1854 Media,

Female in Focus is a
global photography
award which
launched to
international acclaim
in 2019. The award
aims to highlight
and give a platform
to the exceptional Female in Focus was conceived to address gender
inequality in the photography industry. Our mission

work of women
is to open up the photographic landscape to a broad
and representative range of talent, empowering
women-identifying people the world over to reclaim
their own stories.

photographers
The Female in Focus award is comprised of two
categories: the Single Image Category, and the Stories
Category; 20 winning images from the Single Image

around the world

Category and two winning bodies of work from the
Stories Category will be exhibited in a dedicated group
show in a leading gallery based in New York, US
between 2020 and 2021.
Harnessing 1854 Media’s globally established
platform, Female in Focus aims to elevate the work
Image from the series
Every Breath We Drew
and careers of woman-identifying photographers
© Jess T Dugan. around the world. Find out more 

64 Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography 65

65
 1854 Access Members can enter all BJP
and 1854 Media awards for free!
Find out more at members.bjpsubs.com

Fox, A. Professor of Photography at University Creative Development & Awards Director

Melanie Philippe
for the Creative Arts at Farnham. Retrieved from:
https://www.redeye.org.uk/opinion/where-are-all-the- Interested in collaborating
female-photographers on a guide with us?
Contact Melanie Philippe at
Hadland, A., Lambert, P., Barnett, C. marketing@1854.media
The State of News Photography. Retrieved from:
https://www.worldpressphoto.org/getmedia/d3f116f4-
0ad0-468e-a299-cd4b7f08cec8/The-State-of-News-
Photography-2016.pdf
Data USA. Retrieved from
https://datausa.io/profile/soc/274021/

Bauck, W. Fashion photography has a real gender

equality problem. Sourced from: https://fashionista.
com/2018/04/female-fashion-photographers-2018

Slack, J. Where are all the female photographers?

A look back at the ‘Women in Photography’ panel
discussion at The Photography Show. Sourced from:
https://www.redeye.org.uk/opinion/where-are-all-the-
female-photographers

Image © Sarah Blais, Female in Focus 2019, Single Image Winner

Calling all women
The facts and figures
photographers!
1 Sourced from Kering, Women in Motion Press Pack, 2019
This is your final chance
2. Sourced from Data USA, Photographer Analysis, 2018
1854 Media
The Trampery on the Gantry,
Studio 8, South Loading Bay,
to be exhibited at a
3. Sourced by Jill Greenberg for TEDxWabashCollege,
The Female Lens, 2018
Broadcast Centre, Here East,
London E15 2HB New York gallery as part
4. Equallens.com

5. Sourced by Rachael Stevens for Creativereview.com,

Published by 1854 Media Ltd
© 1854 Media Ltd, 34a Watling Street,
of a group show
Can Equal Lens tackle photography’s gender imbalance?, 2019 Radlett, Herts, WD7 7NN.

Apply now before

UK Company No: 8361351.
6. Sourced by Whitney Bauck for fashionista.com, Fashion No part of this publication may
Photography has a real gender equality problem, 2018 be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system

7. Sourced by by Adrian Hadland and Camilla Barnett for

or transmitted in any form or by any
means without the express permission
of the publisher or editor. This is
26 March 2020
World Press Photo, The State of News Photography 2018, 2018

Visit www.femaleinfocus.com
considered breach of copyright and
8. womenphotograph.com/data will be acted upon.

66 Female in Focus: A celebration of women in photography