Leica, a leading name in the world of photography, has once again showcased its dedication to supporting and highlighting female photographers through the 5th Annual Leica Women Foto Project Award. This prestigious award not only recognizes the talent and creativity of women in the field of photography but also provides them with a platform to showcase their work to a global audience. We are excited to share the four winners, which includes a Calgary photographer!
This year's Leica Women Foto Project Award theme was "Perspective is Power", where applicants were encouraged to share a photo essay connected to topics of reclamation, resilience, or rebirth. Winners would receive a Leica SL2-S camera, a Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70mm f/2.8 ASPH Lens, and a cash prize of $10,000 (USD).
The four winners, for a second year, were selected from the US, UK, Mexico, and Canada. In no particular order, let's take a closer look at the 5th Annual Leica Women Foto Project Winners!
Stasia Schmidt | Canada
Calgary's very own Stasia Schmidt is an acclaimed fine art photographer known for her keen eye for simplicity and form, as well as her meticulous attention to detail. Embracing unexpected surrealism in the natural environment, she skillfully layers subversive femininity with stark reality throughout her photographic process. Her winning project, "Ephemerality," is a testament to her ability to confront societal norms, specifically exploring the feminine presence in traditionally male-dominated adventure realms, prompting viewers to reconsider preconceived notions about women in these spaces.
Camille Ferrah Lenain | USA
Camille Ferrah Lenain is a French-Algerian documentary and portrait photographer, who has crafted a remarkable body of work through her lens. Her winning project, "Made of Smokeless Fire," sheds light on the often misunderstood and overlooked LGBTQIA+ representation within Muslim culture in France. Through her lens, Lenain captures the beauty of and challenges faced by this community, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of their experiences.
Dola Posh | UK
Adenike Sogbesan, also known as Dola Posh, is a UK-based and Nigerian-born photographer who delves into the complexities of self-identity and postpartum depression, seamlessly blending strength and vulnerability through her lens. Her winning "OMO MI" series (a phrase meaning “my child”) explores the profound and transformative journey of becoming a new mother, capturing a delicate and life-changing essence that defines the experience of motherhood. Themes of self-discovery, resilience, and the renewal of feminine strength resonate throughout this evocative work.
Luvia Lazo | Mexico
Luvia Lazo is a Zapotec indigenous photographer born in Teotitlan del Valle, Oaxaca, Mexico, whose work captures the essence of identity, generational shifts, grief, and the symbiotic relationship between human beings and spaces imbued with cultural and spiritual significance. Her winning project, "Women from the Clouds," is a profound series aimed at creating a mosaic of narratives surrounding contemporary indigenous women of different ages. Through this project, she endeavours to contribute to a rich and unique understanding of the diverse experiences of indigenous women, shaping a broader and more enriched perspective on womanhood as a whole.
To read and learn more about these four incredible Leica Women Foto Project Award winners, click here!
