Annie Leibovitz is launching a new photography prize in collaboration with philanthropist and photographer Lisa Saltzman. The Saltzman-Leibovitz Photography Prize will award $20,000 to the shortlisted photographers, championing emerging photographic talent and celebrating the power of visual storytelling.
The prize will award $10,000 to the first-place winner, $5,000 for second place, and $2,000, $1,500, $1,000, and $500 to the third through sixth-place winners, respectively.
Lisa Saltzman, a multi-award-winning New York-based photographer, film producer, and philanthropist, founded the Saltzman Family Foundation in 2020 to honor her late parents, Ralph and Muriel Saltzman, who were passionate art collectors, patrons, and philanthropists.
Through the foundation, she has created and established significant art awards, including the Ralph Saltzman Prize at London’s Design Museum and the Fashion Institute of Technology’s Ralph Saltzman Prize, fostering opportunities for emerging creatives and the Saltzman Prize for emerging photographers at The Center for Photography at Woodstock where she is a trustee.
Annie Leibovitz, one of the most celebrated photographers of our time, has redefined portrait photography with her evocative and iconic images. Her collaboration with this prize amplifies its significance within the global photography community.
The six shortlisted photographers were selected from participants in Annie Leibovitz’s mentorship program, part of her role as the first IKEA Artist in Residence. This program invited six aspiring photographers from around the world to capture images based on insights from the Life at Home Report, culminating in a powerful portfolio that was showcased alongside Leibovitz’s work during Paris Fashion Week in February 2024.
The shortlisted photographers are:
- Elena Kalinichenko, Ukraine: An adventurer who finds inspiration in the often unnoticed small things, Elena carries her camera everywhere, capturing the essence of daily life.
- Ka’Vozia Glynn, United States: With a passion for creative arts from an early age, Ka’Vozia tells visual stories featuring vibrant colors, dynamic lighting, and framing.
- Praise Hassan,Nigeria: A multi-disciplinary artist working across conceptual photography, poetry, music, and graphic design, Praise is a graphic designer by day and an artist by night.
- Toma Hurduc,Romania: A recent cinematography graduate aiming to pursue a career in photojournalism, Toma focuses on people, their surroundings, and the indispensable connection between the two.
- Trâm Nguyễn Quang, Netherlands: A cognitive neuroscience student who combines her research with analogue photography, Trâm expresses her feelings of nostalgia through this medium.
- Zélie Hallosserie, France: Having recently transitioned from biology studies to photography, Zélie aims to become a documentary photographer, adopting a slow, sensitive approach to her subjects.
The winners will be selected by a distinguished panel of photography and art experts:
- Drew Sawyer,Photography Curator, Whitney Museum of American Art
- Isolde Brielmaier, Curator and Scholar
- Kira Pollack, Freelance Photo Editor
- Mary Grace Reeder, Associate Director, Hauser & Wirth
- Raul Martinez, Creative Director, Vogue and Condé Nast
The judging process, concluding on January 31, 2025, will assess the photographers’ works, celebrating the breadth of their creative vision and execution.
Lisa Saltzman, Founder of the Saltzman-Leibovitz Prize said:
“My parents deeply admired and supported the work of Annie Leibovitz. This prize allows me to honor their legacy and continue their collaboration in a meaningful way. Art was a significant part of their lives, and I know they would be deeply moved by this initiative. It is so meaningful for me to collaborate with Annie a true legend.”This marks the beginning of an annual celebration of emerging photographic talent, ensuring the Saltzman-Leibovitz Photography Prize becomes a vital platform for the next generation of artists.
The winner will be announced in April.
