Discover the 25 winners of AAP Magazine 55 Women

The marginalization of women in the history of photography is rooted in a long-standing tendency to undervalue their creative voice. For decades, women were more often seen as muses or assistants, rather than as artists shaping their own vision. Early visual culture reinforced this imbalance, portraying women as passive figures, while limiting both their representation and their role behind the camera.

Yet throughout history, women have continuously challenged these boundaries—using photography to document, question, and redefine how the world is seen.

With its 55th edition, AAP Magazine celebrates the strength, resilience, and creative power of women through the work of 25 selected photographers. Among them, 17 women are joined by 8 men, representing 12 countries across 3 continents, whose diverse approaches form a compelling tribute to the theme.

From fine art to street photography, documentary to portraiture, the selected works offer a wide range of perspectives—some intimate and introspective, others outward-looking and socially engaged. Together, they create a rich and nuanced dialogue on how women are represented and empowered through photography today.

The Winner is Silvia Alesssi (Italy) with the series 'The Cut'

The Second Place Winner is Natalya Saprunova (France/Russia) with the series 'Boreal People'

The Third Place Winner is Angelika Kollin (Estonia) with the series ‘You Are My Mother’

The other winners featured in the Merit Award’s Gallery are: Somenath Mukhopadhyay (India), Ezio Gianni Murzi (Italy), Ron Cooper (United States), B Jane Levine (United States), Aline Smithson (United States), Donna Gordon (United States), Alain Schroeder (Belgium), Mandy Ross (UK), Justin Roque (France), Oscar González (Costa Rica), Leonie van der Helm (Netherlands), Sebastian Sardi (Sweden), Nina Nelson (United States), Valentina Sinis (Italy), Beth Stahn (United States), Jelisa Peterson (United States), Mary Dondero (United States), Oksana Zhila (Russia), Ingetje Tadros (Netherlands), Leonor Benito de la Lastra (Spain), Clark James Mishler (United States) and Cheryl Clegg (United States).

The top three winners will receive a prize of $1,000, and all winning photographs will be prominently featured in the All About Photo Winners Gallery and published in the printed issue of AAP Magazine #55: Women Discover all the winners here

New Solo Exhibition: Gutter Duchess by F. Bessma Rhea

All About Photo is pleased to present ‘Gutter Duchess’ by F. Bessma Rhea as the winning project of our November 2025 Solo Exhibition.

Maybe to be a woman is to be hollowed out – or maybe to be a woman is to sing.”

Through her raw and poetic lens, F. Bessma Rhea presents Gutter Duchess, a deeply personal photographic series exploring the dualities of womanhood — fragility and strength, silence and voice, vulnerability and power.

The series follows the artist herself and the significant women in her life, each portrait resonating with emotional honesty and magnetic presence. Within these images lies a brutal tenderness — a confrontation with identity, legacy, and the complex beauty of emerging womanhood.

Gutter Duchess is ultimately a celebration of matriarchal love and resilience. It embraces the contradictions that define the feminine experience — what is hidden and what is revealed, what is lost and what is fiercely reclaimed.

Through powerful imagery and intimate storytelling, Rhea crafts a visual manifesto on becoming, belonging, and the enduring power of women bound by love.

Discover the solo exhibition here

NEW CALL: AAP Magazine 46 Women

International Women Photography Contest: Celebrating Women’s Strength & Beauty

Early Bird savings end February 27, 2025

Since the birth of photography, women have been both muses and creators, shaping the visual storytelling landscape. From documentary photography to fine art, women have used the camera as a powerful tool for self-expression and to capture the world around them. Now, AAP Magazine invites photographers from around the globe to participate in its 46th edition, dedicated entirely to celebrating women.

This prestigious international photography competition is open to all artists, whether amateur or professional, who wish to highlight the essence, strength, beauty, resilience, and impact of women. The theme is completely open—your work can span genres such as fashion, portrait, documentary, sports, fine art, or commercial photography. Whether you shoot in digital, film, or monochrome, all techniques and styles are welcome.

Why Enter AAP Magazine #46: Women?

Participating in AAP Magazine’s competition provides photographers with an exceptional platform for global exposure. Winners will receive a total of $1,000 in cash prizes, extensive press coverage, and the opportunity to have their work published in a renowned international photography magazine.

1st Place Winner will receive $500, an exclusive interview, and their winning image(s) or portfolio published in AAP Magazine #46: Women. They will also receive a free copy of the magazine and have their work showcased in the online Winners Gallery of All About Photo.

2nd Place Winner will be awarded $300 and receive the same prestigious publication opportunities.

3rd Place Winner will receive $200, along with a feature in AAP Magazine #46: Women and a free copy of the magazine.

Honorable Mentions: The next 22 winners (ranked 4th to 25th) will also have their work published in this special edition.

More information here

New Call for Entries: AAP Magazine 29 WOMEN

 

© B. Jane Levine

Since the medium's inception, women have been the subject of photographers but also experimented photography as a tool of documentation and a space of self-expression. This 29th edition of AAP Magazine encourages photographers to celebrate all the important things women do.

Send us a cohesive body of work or portfolio - capturing the essence, hard-work, beauty, resilience, kindness... of women! The subject is completely open, it can be fashion, nude, documentary, portrait, sports, fine art, commercial.. Any capture method or process, whether digital or analog, including monochromatic toning, is welcome.

Winners will receive $1,000 in cash awards, their winning image(s) or full portfolio published in AAP Magazine #29, extensive press coverage and global recognition.

All winners will have their work published in the 29th printed issue of AAP Magazine, a free copy of the magazine and their portfolio showcased in the Winners Gallery of www.all-about-photo.com.

Why enter All About Photo Competitions?

Elevate your career!
All it takes is one industry insider to change the course of your career. Share your work with our audience of editors, book publishers, gallery owners, festival directors, creative directors, curators, and online media publishers!

Permanent Exhibition on All About Photo online gallery
All About Photo is a leading platform in the photography industry showcasing the work of famous photographers as well as new talents. Don't miss the opportunity to be featured in our online gallery

International Press Exposure
Share your work with the world and catch the attention of diverse media outlets. We will promote each selected photographer on our website and on our social profiles.

Applications will be assessed on three criteria: creativity, originality, and the visual/emotional impact of the image.
The winners will be announced on All About Photo and social media.
Images that were previously published in AAP Magazine cannot be submitted again

© Marna Clarke

Enter Here: www.all-about-photo.com