"Line" Anica Pommeray
PRIMER PREMIO SPBC 2026
MICHELE ZOUSMER (USA) michelezousmer.com
Beautiful Charlotte, the eldest of a young family of six children. A few months later, her father passed away, and in many Irish migrant families, tradition dictated that she be given to her grandparents to raise and protect. The next time I saw her, she was seven years old and had received her First Communion. Traditions are very strong, and families value them. It was moving to see her mother and all her siblings again. It was a very emotional reunion.
Michele Zousmer is a humanitarian photographer whose work documents individuals and communities rendered invisible by economic systems, social hierarchies, and cultural narratives. She exemplifies the transformative power of photography by immortalizing fleeting moments of grace and beauty that endure even amidst life's greatest challenges. Through her lens, she becomes a storyteller, advocate, and agent of change, inviting viewers into the worlds she captures. In doing so, she illuminates the bonds that unite us, emphasizing that while our appearances may differ, our inner experiences connect us.
Zousmer's images are distinguished by their emotional resonance: she listens attentively, builds connections with her subjects, and reveals their essence with empathy, respect, and humanity. She is deeply committed to eradicating prejudice and has dedicated her career to researching marginalized groups and how they cope with adversity.
Zousmer works in long format, reconnecting with her subjects over time to build trust and depth. Her photography is not sentimental, but rather focuses on clarity, presence, and lived reality. She is particularly drawn to how responsibility, care, and resilience are woven into the lives of women and girls from different cultures and generations.
MENCIÓN ESPECIAL MEJOR FOTOGRAFÍA B&N SPBC 2026
M.D. ARIFUZZAMAN (BGD) "The bizarre window" jeffrothsteinphotos.com
Every year, at the end of World Youth Day in Dhaka, Bangladesh, millions of Muslim worshippers return home by train. This mass departure creates an overwhelming surge and chaos at train stations. The sheer number of people trying to board the trains is both intense and fascinating to witness. Amid the frenzy, unusual scenes often unfold: countless people rush toward moving trains, clinging to doors, ceilings, and even windows. I was fortunate enough to capture one of these surreal moments: a pair of legs were seen climbing out of a train window—an unforgettable image of human determination and desperation.
"From a young age, I was captivated by films and books; their stories fueled my imagination and shaped my creative aspirations. In moments of reflection, I would gaze out the window, drawn in by the vibrant beauty of the world around me. The diversity of cultures, people, festivals, landscapes, and rituals fascinated me deeply. From reader, I became a storyteller! At 35, my journey into photography began with a small camera gifted to me by my sister-in-law in Florida. Despite starting relatively late, photography quickly became my passion and purpose. Now, at 50, I have been a visual storyteller for over 14 years, continually learning and evolving. I learned from the acclaimed GMB Akash and participated in a workshop at Counter Foto. I immersed myself in photography, developing a deep passion for capturing human life, festivals, cultures, travel, and street life. I find immense joy in discovering beauty in the smallest details and celebrating life's stories through my lens. Among all The genres of travel and documentary photography hold a special place in my heart. Behind the camera, I feel free, immersed in a world of creativity and discovery. From the beginning, I've been drawn to stories that speak directly to me, narratives that stir something deep, not those shaped by stereotypes or created to garner applause through the portrayal of stereotypical poverty and staged scenes."
MENCIÓN ESPECIAL SPBC 2026
HENDRICK BRAET (BEL) hendrikbraet.be
Hendrik Braet is a Belgian photographer who lives and works in Ghent. For years he has been focusing on his own Flemish Culture, which he dissects in a humorous, striking way and removing the appearances it tries to keep up. He’ s convinced that he doesn’t have to travel far to grasp the times. He works in his own environment. He studied International political sciences and photography at the academy in Ghent. In these challenging times with an abundance of images, he is convinced that people need more purified images that radiate humor; in order to put the dominant ‘seriousness’ in perspective.