Exhibitors

Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize 2023

Explore works from each of the exhibiting photographers below. Select an image to vote for your favourite photographer in the People’s Pick competition and be entered into a competition for the chance to win a meal for two at The Portrait Restaurant on the Gallery’s fourth floor.

A black and white photograph of two women in a field of crop. The main figure stands to the right and wears a floral blouse and matching skirt. Her arm is outstretched and held by another figure. This figure is cut out of the full image, they lean and hold the other woman's hand. It is only their arms and head that are visible. They wear a floral bandana. — Fragile Paradise by D-MO
© D-MO

A black and white image of boys in swimming costumes on a pier. Most of the boys stand wet from having been in the water. They stand in a group with their arms crossed. Some pull funny faces. — Halcyon Days by Alex Frayne
from the series Jetty Life
© Alex Frayne

A photograph of a man smiling at the camera. He wears a white/cream wool fleece and has short brown hair. He stands against a cream wall with the sunlight hitting him through the pattern of trees. He smiles. — Bartholomé & Pandora #13 by Benjamin Madgwick
from the series Relationships
© Benjamin Madgwick

A photograph of a Spanish novillero sat at a table. He has dark long hair and wears the full ornate and highly decorative gold novillero jacket. He stares down and rests his hands on the shiny surface. Behind him the wall is covered in painting and photographs. — David Fuentes, a young trainee Novillero, with ambitions of becoming a popular Matador by Owen Harvey
from the series The Matador
© Owen Harvey

A photographic portrait of a young man staring out of a window. He wears a white/cream puffer jacket and has a dark beard. In the reflection of the glass, there are buildings. — Kwajo Tweneboa by Louise Haywood-Schiefer
© Louise Haywood-Schiefer

People’s Pick competition

Vote for your favourite photographer for a chance to win a meal for two at The Portrait Restaurant on the Gallery’s fourth floor.

Vote for Louise Haywood-Schiefer

Audio

Hear photographer Louise Haywood-Schiefer and sitter Kwajo Tweneboa reflecting on their image.

Louise Haywood-Schiefer:

I'm Louise and I've been taking portraits editorially for about the last 15 years.

Kwajo Tweneboa:

Yeah. So my name's Kwajo Tweneboa and I'm a social issues campaigner. And for the last two and a half years, I've been focusing on the state of social housing here in the UK and the poor conditions many have been forced to live in, in some cases for decades, up and down the country, as did I. So this photo was taken on my balcony and I live on the Eastfields Estate in South London.

Louise:

The shoot with Kwajo came about for a commission, actually, for The House magazine, which is a parliamentary magazine for MPs and peers. For the shot that has been selected for the exhibition, it felt a bit like maybe it was one of my hare-brained schemes to give it a go. And I sort of explained to Kwajo and he was obviously inside and I was outside. Until we took the pictures, I don't think maybe you realised what it would look like.

Kwajo:

So I just assumed it was literally going to be a clear shot through the glass, but would have the frame of the door in it. That's what I had visualised. And it wasn't until I saw the picture that I said, 'Oh, that's what it was meant to do.' And that's what it did. And I think it was almost a perfect angle. The door was at a perfect angle.

Louise:

You are just like a tour de force and you are so passionate about what you do that I thought it'd be just really great to shoot you with these imposing buildings, within you. It feels like everything that you do is all within you.

Kwajo:

To me, the significance of the photo was the fact that through that balcony door was basically my living room. And at the time, at its worst, it was my dad's bedroom. So when he was sick with cancer and he was deteriorating, his hospital bed was in that same room. And also the fact that the other estate's reflection was on the other side of the glass, and that being the whole journey since my dad passing away, that image represents, in a way, a rebirth, a new mission, and also determination.

Louise:

For me, this is a massive deal, having a picture in the Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize because I've been entering for years and years. But there's something about this particular image of all the images that I've ever submitted, I'm so glad and over the moon that it's this image. I want people to be as inspired as I was. I wish people could have a snippet of how I felt after that shoot.

A photograph of a bodybuilder; he stands central to the image and flexes his muscles. He wears only black shorts and his hair is shoulder-length and braided. He stands in an ethereal heaven-like backdrop of pink and blue clouds. — Bodybuilder by Roberto Alegria
© Roberto Alegria

A colour photograph of a man wearing a green, black and white tartan shirt. His hair is bleach blond and shaved. He is central to the image and looks at the camera with a big grin. His hands are adorned with gold rings and he holds them together close to his chest. — Ncuti Gatwa by Jonangelo Molinari
© Jonangelo Molinari

A photograph of a woman with light pink hair and a silver nose ring. The image is closely cropped on her head. She wears a turtleneck and coat and appears to stand on a beach. Behind her, the sun is setting and there is a small tear running from her blue eyes. — Untitled by Gregory John Turner
from the series Yesterday, and Today, and Forever
© Gregory John Turner

A photograph of an older woman standing in a garden. She has white short hair and wears a black vest and skirt. She is bare foot and stands on the pavement. — Gloria by Sukhy Hullait
from the series All The Rage
© Sukhy Hullait

A photograph of a father and daughter. The daughter is on her father's shoulders. He wears a burgundy and white tracksuit, and the girl wears a pink jumper and jeans. They stand in front of a wall of greenery. — Reece and his daughter, Crawley Town FC vs Barrow by Kate Peters
from the series Crawley Town FC
© Kate Peters

A photograph of a figure whose face is obscured by a large cloud of vapour He wears black and stands in front of a golden yellow curtain. — Shaun Ryder by Jake Green
© Jake Green

A full-length photograph of an elderly woman wrapped in cream robes. She stands central to the image and looks out with a sad look on her face. It is only her face that is on show. — Ibu by Byron Mohammad Hamzah
from the series Yang Tinggal Hanya Kita (All That Is Left Is Us)
© Byron Mohammad Hamzah

A portrait of a young woman with curly hair up in a bun. She wears a cream graphic t-shirt and stands in front of a sunny sea view. She does not smile but looks directly at the camera. — Apollonia, Malaita Province, Solomon Islands by Tom Maguire
from the series Rising Waters
© Tom Maguire

A photograph of teenagers grouped closely together taking selfies. One girl with long red hair and freckles is central to the frame and looks directly at the camera in amongst the blurred limbs of the other girls. — TikTok by Philippa James
from the series No Big Deal
© Philippa James

A photograph of a boy in school uniform sitting relaxed on a plastic chair in a corridor. The sense is reminiscent of the 80s with the boy's hair being bleach blond and in a mullet style. On the wall is a painted picture of a lion. Beyond this to the left of the boy is a tall plant which could be fake. — Andrew by Fumi Nagasaka
© Fumi Nagasaka

A photograph of a young woman standing by the edge of a pool. The background is busy with people but she stands awkwardly. She wears a red t-shirt and sports leggings with her arms by her side. — Zhara, Sea Point Pavilion, Cape Town by Michelle Sank
from the series Ballade
© Michelle Sank

A closely cropped photograph of two heavily tattooed men and a baby embraced in between them. Both men have dark short hair and beards. They wear black boxes and the baby a black nappy. While the men look at the baby, the baby looks out at the viewer. — Roy and Josef with their daughter Jude by Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom
from the series Us
© Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom

A photograph of a man on a beach holding a baby to his chest. The man stands side-on and wears nothing on his top half. He has black hair and a beard, and on his arm, he has tattoos. The baby looks in the other direction with its face obscured by the man. The background is serene as waves lap against the shore. — Tanner and Baby Eleanor by Harry Compton
from the series The Sunny Side of the Island
© Harry Compton

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Joanna Bell, NHS nurse, on the hottest day ever recorded by Alice Zoo
© Alice Zoo

A photograph of a young woman dressed as the Virgin Mary, in baby pink and bright blue robes. She wears a tiara and a white lace veil. She stands in front of a fair scene. Her nails are long and match the blue and pink of her outfit. — Our Lady of Hope by Ana Paganini
from the series Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet
© Ana Paganini

A photograph of a mother holding her young son in front of her. She kisses his head as he leans back. She wears a light yellow tunic top and dark trousers. The son wears a navy top and dark trousers. They stand on a rundown porch. The house behind them is also light yellow. — Kisha and LaDarayon by Gilleam Trapenberg
from the series Currents
© Gilleam Trapenberg

A photograph of a young girl lying with her head on a skateboard. She covers an LA star of fame. The girl wears a dark graphic t-shirt and a black cardigan. She looks directly at the camera and does not smile. — Rida Qureshi by Mahtab Hussain
from the series Muslims in America - LA Chapter
© Mahtab Hussain

A photograph of a young woman. She stands in front of a grey and white backstreet. She wears a white vest and grey jeans and by her leg is a grey staffy dog on a chain lead. Her other arm is held out to her side. — Jessica swatting flies, Tricastin by Ed Alcock
from the series Risk Zones
© Ed Alcock / Agence Myop

A photograph of a young woman lying on a bed with her head turned to face the camera. She looks uncomfortable and upset. She wears a blue dress with a low back. She has tattoos on her arm and lies on white sheets. — Mum's Engagement Dress by Cara Price
from the series Her Possessions
© Cara Price

A photograph of a young boy in school uniform standing with one foot on a yellow football. He stands on a school field with other students in the far background. The weather is cold, with visible frost on the ground. The boy doesn't smile. — Three Lions by Ben Brooks
from the series Losing the Dressing Room
© Ben Brooks

A photograph of a boy hanging upside down in between two much larger and mostly naked wrestlers. The boy wears a navy vest and black elbow pads. He stares directly at the camera and has dark hair and stubble. — Chotu Lal Upside-down by Carl Francois van der Linde
from the series Our Leader
© Carl Francois van der Linde

An abstract photograph of a figure. The outline is duplicated and overlayed. It is the figure's white eyes that jump out of the blue and purple colour palette. — Somebody Stop Me by Heather Agyepong
from the series Ego Death
© Heather Agyepong

A photograph of a man sitting on a brown leather couch. He wears a superhero costume but baked bean-themed. His face is painted orange, and he wears futuristic sunglasses. On the walls, there is a glimpse of baked bean memorabilia. — Captain Beany by Roo Lewis
from the series Port Talbot UFO Investigation Club
© Roo Lewis

An intimate portrait of a middle-aged woman with wet curly hair. The woman appears naked with the image cropped on her face and shoulders. She has two silver necklaces on and leans her head to the side. She does not smile. — UnBecoming by Jenny Lewis
from the series UnBecoming
© Jenny Lewis

A black and white photograph of a young woman listening to music in the park. She wears a white head scarf and a floral shirt. She is facing to the right and wears dark headphones. — Diena by Alexandre Silberman
from the series NATURE
© Alexandre Silberman

A photograph of a man who reaches his arms up to the top of a doorframe. The figure wears no top and appears to have scars below his nipples. He has dark hair. — Emmett by Daniel Zox
from the series Always been here, always will be
© Daniel Zox

A closely cropped photograph of two young women. The one on the left appears taller and leans her head on the other. She has a black headband on, and the other has a brown tartan bucket hat on. — Benedicta & Jasmine by Garrod Kirkwood
from the series Siblings
© garrod kirkwood

A colour photograph of a man sitting on an armchair and turning to watch the TV, which shows a football match. He wears a yellow and black striped football shirt. The interior harks back to the 70s and on the wall, there are family photos and Catholic iconography. — Dara watching the game by Enda Bowe
from the series Home on Thursdays
© Enda Bowe

A photograph of a boy with braided brown hair. The photograph looks up to him and is slightly blurred, He wears a white cricket polo top and does not smile. — Jacob by Vivek Vadoliya
from the series The Face: Youth Cricket Study
© Vivek Vadoliya

A black and white photograph of a man lying down and leaning on his elbow. He lies on a white blanket in a field of long grass. He wears dark jeans, a dark jumper and has a short black afro. — Boy on grass by Sophie Wedgwood
from the series In Arcadia
© Sophie Wedgwood

A portrait of a young boy in swimming trunks and trainers. He stands on the top step of a pool. The water is green. Behind the boy is greenery and a bush of bright blue flowers. — A moment's pause by Frankie Mills
from the series Good Evening We Are From Ukraine
© Frankie Mills

A photograph of two wrestlers. One holds the other upside down over his shoulders. They appear in a dry landscape with a few trees behind them. They wear wrestling shorts and vests. — The Wrestlers by Prarthna Singh
from the series Champion
© Prarthna Singh

A portrait of a girl standing in front of a row of red-doored garages. She has bright neon blue short hair and wears a grey jumper and black bag off her shoulder. She has piercings and does not smile. — Kiera by Freya Najade
from the series Hackney Central
© Freya Najade

A photograph of two young men. They both appear naked although the image cuts them off at the chest. One man stands central to the image while the other's face is obscured behind him. This man has his hand on the other's shoulders and wears a silver chain. — Billiew en Paduey II by David van Dartel
from the series What Once Was
© David van Dartel

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Nana Dancing Queen (Tracey Booker) by Rory Payne
from the series Nanashire - Nana's Against Fracking
© Rory Payne

A photograph of a young man. He wears a light pink shawl which folds and billows across his chest with wind. He appears to be standing on the deck of a boat with the blue sea filling much of the background frame. The sky is pink and blue capturing either sunrise or sunset. — Abraham, aboard the MV Ilala, Lake Malawi, between Mlowe and Usisya by Theodore Clarke
from the series The Boat On The Lake
© Theodore Clarke

A black and white photograph of an undistinguished figure. The figure stands in a desert-like landscape and wears a long tunic. In their arms, they hold up a circle mirror that reflects the clouds and looks like the moon. This covers their face. — Untitled by Sridhar Balasubramaniyam
from the series Space Between Us
© Sridhar Balasubramaniyam

A photograph of a young girl and young boy taken at an angle. The girl is in the foreground of the image as she squints and looks at the camera. She wears a white vest and her dark hair is gelled back. The boy wears a grey T-shirt and smiles at the camera too. — me nana fie by Serena Brown
© Serena Brown

A black and white photograph of a man. He faces forward with his eyes closed. He tenses his forehead and wrinkles show. One hand rubs at his right eye. He does not smile. — Jose, former Angolan child soldier, Cape Town, South Africa by Mustafah Abdulaziz
from the series Identität
© Mustafah Abdulaziz

A photograph of an older woman. She stands in front of a brick house and wears a bright blue coat and matching hat. The blue is echoed in her eyes and in her hands, she holds a red flower. She is central to the frame and looks at the camera without a smile on her face. — Mrs. Aldred in blue, with directions to the bluebell flower fields on a spring day by Lucas Troadec
from the series End of the Line
© Lucas Troadec

A black and white photograph of a woman and a man. The set-up is very traditional as the woman sits with her arms in her lap; in one hand, she holds a switch which actions the photograph to be taken. The man stands next to her with one arm on her shoulder. They both have dark hair and wear simple clothes including a shirt and cardigan for the man and a blouse for the woman. — Self-portrait with my brother by Margarita Galandina
from the series Ovoo
© Margarita Galandina

A photograph of a woman who stands with her back to the camera. The photograph captures the full length of her body as she stands naked with only a piece of sheer cloth to cover her backside. She has short braided hair and on one side leans on a cane. — Phopy by Zoja Kalinovskis
from the series Unseen
© Zoja Kalinovskis

An atmospheric photograph of an old man lifting a cup of tea to his mouth. The image is low-lit with a single warm light shining on the man's face. He has little hair and a white beard. He wears glasses. — Grandad Sups his Tea by Thomas Duffield
© Thomas Duffield

A group photograph of three women. They stand in formation all leaning into the central figure. They wear neutral creams and red basic vests and have differently styled hair. One has an afro, the other has straight long hair and the one central has her hair up. They look at the camera. — Group Portrait by Ruth Samuels
from the series The Beholder
© Ruth Samuels

A photograph of a man smiling and wearing a Micky Mouse T-shirt with black trim on the neck and arms. The man has large black-rimmed glasses and stands in front of a white background. — André by Dan Kirmatzis
© Dan Kirmatzis

A photograph of a young boy with a baseball cap on. He stands in the middle ground. In front of him is a pink rose bush and behind him a building with cream-coloured brick and glass doors. — Zhoon Kungoi, Kyrgyzstan by Alexander Parkyn-Smith
© Alexander Parkyn-Smith