EVI MONO AWARDS / EDITION 01 / 2026
First Edition
Winners
Two Generations, One Story: Woman
The first edition of EVI MONO AWARDS brought together photographers from 76 countries, exploring the lives, experiences and stories of women across generations.
Discover the Winners and Honourable Mentions in Documentary and Conceptual Photography.
WITH THANKS TO OUR JURY
We sincerely thank our jury members for their time, thoughtful evaluations and artistic perspectives.
suteishi · Eme Sofia · Jovana Rikalo · Fernando Rodriguez · Tomasz Trzebiatowski · Marine Foissey · Tyler McAuley · Julia Postrzech · Yiannis Galanopoulos Papavasileiou · Amadeusz Andrzejewski
WITH THANKS TO OUR PARTNER
FRAMES Magazine
We are grateful for their support and contribution to the first edition of EVI MONO AWARDS.
Photographers from 76 countries around the world contributed to the first edition of EVI MONO AWARDS.
Afghanistan · Algeria · Argentina · Armenia · Australia · Austria · Bangladesh · Belarus · Belgium · Brazil · Bulgaria · Canada · Chile · China · Colombia · Croatia · Cyprus · Czech Republic · Dominican Republic · Egypt · Estonia · Finland · France · Georgia · Germany · Ghana · Greece · Iceland · India · Indonesia · Iran · Ireland · Israel · Italy · Kazakhstan · Luxembourg · Malaysia · Martinique · Mexico · Montenegro · Morocco · Myanmar · Nepal · The Netherlands · New Zealand · Nicaragua · Nigeria · Norway · Pakistan · Palestine · Philippines · Poland · Portugal · Qatar · Republic of Korea · Romania · Russia · Saudi Arabia · Serbia · Singapore · Slovakia · Slovenia · South Africa · Spain · Sudan · Sweden · Syria · Taiwan · Tunisia · Turkey · Ukraine · United Arab Emirates · United Kingdom · USA · Vietnam · Yemen
Documentary Photography / Winners
1st Place
The Passage of Time
Aung Kyaw Zaw / Myanmar
WEBSITE/INSTAGRAM
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Photograph Description:
As she looked through photographs from her younger years, I noticed a quiet expression on her face - both joyful and sad. Time moves forward continuously, yet memories remain frozen in these frames. Held in her hands is not just a collection of photographs, but a lived journey of a lifetime - proving that while time changes our physical form, the essence of who we are endures.
Biography:
Aung Kyaw Zaw is a photographer from Myanmar specialising in documentary, street and everyday life photography. His work focuses on authentic moments, human emotions and the stories of ordinary people. His photography has received recognition in international photography competitions.
2nd Place
The One Who Looks Back
Ghadir Vaghari / Iran
WEBSITE/INSTAGRAM
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Photograph Description:
Amid a sea of bowed heads, one young woman looks back. Her gaze breaks the rhythm of a collective moment and creates a quiet space for individuality. Surrounded by women who have momentarily disappeared into a shared gesture, she remains visible, alert, and present. Her eyes become a small but powerful sign of identity - the possibility of seeing, questioning, and choosing differently.
Biography:
Ghadir Vaghari is an experimental photographer and caricaturist with more than thirty years of experience in both fields. He has received over 20 international photography awards and 100 awards at domestic festivals in Iran. He has also served as a judge and secretary for photography and caricature categories at various Iranian festivals and competitions.
3rd Place
Witnesses
Hasan Dehghandoost / Iran
WEBSITE/INSTAGRAM
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Photograph Description:
In silence, every face tells a different story. Together they embody resilience, identity, and the quiet strength of women.
Biography:
Hasan Dehghandoost is an Iranian photographer and a student of photography and filmmaking at the Iranian Youth Cinema Society. He is a member of the Isfahan Photographers Association and the Iranian Photographers Association. He has held several solo and group photography exhibitions, won top awards at a number of national and international festivals, and served as a juror and selection committee member at several national photography festivals.
Conceptual Photography / Winners
1st Place
Flaming Hills
Elrea Song / South Korea
WEBSITE/INSTAGRAM
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Photograph Description:
On the weight of labour and suffering experienced by women, passed down to the next generation, and nevertheless, the presence of persistent hope.
Biography:
Elrea Song is a South Korea-based photographer. Her series "Combing Peace" was created in collaboration with eight family members, collecting rubbish washed ashore on Korean beaches, imagining different forms of peace and weaving them into visual stories.
2nd Place
I will not be a Trad Wife
Cary Jobe / USA
WEBSITE/INSTAGRAM
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Photograph Description:
A personal project about darkness and light, and the polarisation in life as we know it today.
Biography:
Cary Jobe is a photographer whose work bridges editorial storytelling, commercial photography and fine art. With more than two decades of experience photographing people, places and cultures around the world, her imagery explores the interplay of light, emotion and the human experience. Her work reflects a painterly sensibility, an intuitive approach to composition and a fascination with the beauty and complexity of everyday life.
3rd Place
Broken Wings
Samanta Krivec / Slovenia
WEBSITE/INSTAGRAM
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Photograph Description:
While cycling, I noticed a dead bird by the side of the road. Later, I couldn't forget the bird; it sparked my imagination. I went home to get my car and returned to collect the bird. At home, I placed the bird on the floor, set the self-timer and tried different poses in the background.
Biography:
Samanta Krivec is a photographer from Rogaška Slatina, Slovenia. Through photography, she has developed a deeper understanding of herself and life. She considers photography an experience that has enriched her inner world and personal journey.
Documentary Photography / Honourable Mention
Honourable Mention
Across the Border, Between Generations
Mohammad Rakibul Hasan / Bangladesh
WEBSITE/INSTAGRAM
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Photograph Description:
Rohingya women and children rest after crossing the border into Bangladesh, fleeing violence and persecution in Myanmar. In Balukhali, Cox's Bazar, generations arrive together carrying the consequences of displacement, loss and uncertainty. Behind them, a rapidly expanding refugee settlement marks the beginning of another chapter in exile. Amid exhaustion and trauma, women remain at the centre of family survival, carrying children, memories and the responsibility of rebuilding life in an unfamiliar land.
Location: Balukhali, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh
Year: 2017
Biography:
Mohammad Rakibul Hasan is a Bangladeshi documentary photographer, filmmaker, visual journalist and visual artist whose work bridges humanitarian storytelling, social justice and environmental advocacy.
His international recognition includes the Lucie Award, One World Media Award, Human Rights Press Award, Allard Photography Prize, PX3 Prix de la Photographie and recognition associated with the COAL Prize exhibition context in Paris.
His notable projects include "The Taste of Honey", "Forget-Me-Not" and the long-term photographic project "The Blue Fig", which has been exhibited internationally.
He is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Journalism, Media and Communication at Daffodil International University in Bangladesh.
Honourable Mention
The Right to Be Counted
Amit Moulick / India
WEBSITE/INSTAGRAM
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Photograph Description:
Eighty-five-year-old Chaya Mukherjee protests in Kolkata, India, on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and legal action over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Mukherjee also demands that her name, which she says was removed from the voter list, be restored to the electoral roll.
Biography:
Amit Moulick is a photographer and photojournalist based in Kolkata, India. His work focuses on news, social issues, sports, culture and everyday life.
Through his photography, he documents significant events and human stories, capturing moments that reflect contemporary social realities.
Honourable Mention
Generations of the Sea
Aminul Islam / Bangladesh
WEBSITE/INSTAGRAM
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Photograph Description:
This image captures a shared journey between two generations of women on a quiet beach. Walking hand-in-hand, two mothers and their young daughters are framed from behind, highlighting their identical attire and contrasting stature. The vast ocean and soft light amplify a sense of continuity and shared heritage. It is a quiet story of guidance, love, and the passing of time, where the steps of the present quietly mirror the path for the future. I tried to capture this moment. So I took this picture with my mobile.
Biography:
Muhammad Aminul Islam is a self-taught photographer from Chattogram, Bangladesh. He specialises in street photography and the documentation of everyday life, finding meaningful stories in ordinary moments.
Through his photographic practice, he explores human connections and captures the beauty of life from his own perspectiv
Honourable Mention
Cuidados Paliativos
Jorge Caballero Peralta / Spain
WEBSITE/INSTAGRAM
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Photograph Description:
A granddaughter visits her grandmother, who has an advanced illness, in a palliative care hospital. This is a farewell.
Biography:
Jorge Caballero Peralta was born on 13 August 1974 in Granada, Spain. He works as a home-based palliative care nurse in Madrid and advocates for universal access to high-quality palliative care.
Alongside his professional commitment to caring for others, photography is one of his greatest passions.
Honourable Mention
Pariza's Hair
Kristen Joy Emack / USA
WEBSITE/INSTAGRAM
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Photograph Description:
An image from a larger body of work called Book of Saints. Madiha places flowers in her cousin Pariza's hair in a city park in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Biography:
Kristen Joy Emack is a self-taught photographer and a recipient of the 2022 Guggenheim Fellowship. She has also been awarded fellowships from MacDowell and the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Her photographic practice explores youth, connection, intimacy and the impermanence of place.
Honourable Mention
Two Generations
Manish Prajapati / Nepal
WEBSITE/INSTAGRAM - NOT PROVIDED
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Photograph Description:
Two generations sharing one quiet moment outside a traditional home.
Biography:
Not provided
Honourable Mention
Mother
Maria Serbina / Russia
WEBSITE/INSTAGRAM
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Photograph Description:
The mother approaches a window shattered by shelling, holding her young child in her arms. The shards of glass point towards the woman, symbolising danger. At the same time, she holds her daughter close, as if protecting her from every hardship.
Biography:
Maria Serbina is a photographer and journalist originally from Donetsk. She previously worked professionally as a ballet dancer before turning to journalism to document events affecting her hometown.
Her photographic practice focuses on the realities of life in a region affected by prolonged conflict. Through her reportage work, she documents personal experiences and the impact of these events on everyday life.
Honourable Mention
Generational Bond
Mohammed Rimon / Bangladesh
WEBSITE/INSTAGRAM
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Photograph Description:
A black-and-white portrait featuring an elder adorned with traditional facial tattoos, ear spools, and beaded necklaces, seated on a slatted bamboo platform. Holding a young child securely in her lap, the photograph highlights themes of family connection and cultural continuity.
Biography:
Md Foyez Mutahir Rimon, professionally known as Mohammed Rimon, is a self-taught Bangladeshi lifestyle and travel photographer with more than 26 years of experience.
His work has received approximately 600 international awards across 55 countries. He holds photographic distinctions including EFIAP, FBPS and Honorary Fellow ICS.
He also serves as a judge in national and international photography competitions and is a lifetime member of the Sylhet Photography Society.
Honourable Mention
Sustenance of the Spring
Mohammed Rimon / Bangladesh
WEBSITE/INSTAGRAM
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Photograph Description:
Set against the rugged texture of stone and lush foliage, this photograph illuminates an intimate daily ritual rooted in harmony with nature. The scene captures both utility and renewal: a child diligently collecting water from a natural spout alongside a quiet moment of personal refreshment. Through the rich tonal range and tactile elements - woven rattan, carved stone, and cascading water - the image tells a powerful story of communal resilience, indigenous heritage, and the enduring vital bond with the land.
Biography:
Md Foyez Mutahir Rimon, professionally known as Mohammed Rimon, is a self-taught Bangladeshi lifestyle and travel photographer with more than 26 years of experience.
His work has received approximately 600 international awards across 55 countries. He holds photographic distinctions including EFIAP, FBPS and Honorary Fellow ICS.
He also serves as a judge in national and international photography competitions and is a lifetime member of the Sylhet Photography Society.
Conceptual Photography / Honourable Mention
Honourable Mention
Pearls
Anastasiia Marinich / Poland
WEBSITE/INSTAGRAM
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Photograph Description:
The submitted image is from the series Pearls, which explores the tradition of passing down memories to younger women in the family.
Biography:
Anastasiia Marinich is a photographer working across fashion, portraiture and conceptual imagery. Through restrained gestures, muted colour palettes and tactile details, her work explores vulnerability, limitation and quiet resistance. Rather than constructing explicit narratives, she focuses on atmosphere, sensation and psychological states. Her visual language draws from cinematic aesthetics and contemporary romanticism, balancing elegance with discomfort and softness with tension.
Honourable Mention
Passing Down the Art of Batik Through Generations
Dikye Ariani / Indonesia
WEBSITE/INSTAGRAM
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Photograph Description:
A generational family activity of a mother and her daughter creating batik together.
Biography:
Dikye Ariani is an Indonesian photographer whose work has received national and international recognition. She has earned more than 450 photography awards, including the Overall Winner title at the CEWE Photo Award 2023 and London Camera Exchange Photographer of the Year 2026.
Her photographs have been presented in international exhibitions and photography publications. Her practice encompasses commercial, industrial, portrait, documentary and conceptual photography.
She also serves as a judge in national and international photography competitions, works as a photography workshop instructor and has been a brand ambassador for Pindle and Glostars.
Honourable Mention
Quiddity
Mahdi Vaghari / Iran
WEBSITE/INSTAGRAM
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Photograph Description:
Across generations, the image of women continues to change. What was once defined by tradition, expectation, and social boundaries gradually becomes a space for choice, identity, and freedom. The women surrounding her represent different versions of femininity, while the woman at the centre stands between the inherited past and an emerging future. This photograph reflects a quiet transformation in women's minds: the journey from being defined by others to defining oneself, from imposed identities towards the freedom to choose who to become.
Biography:
Mahdi Vaghari is an Iranian photographer and filmmaker with over 20 years of experience in documentary, theatrical and contemporary photography. He learned photography from his father, who is also a photographer.
His work explores human stories, identity, social life and cultural heritage through a thoughtful documentary approach. He received the Global Peace Photo Award in 2025 and won second place at the Golden Turtle International Film Festival in Russia in 2024.
Honourable Mention
Faded Promises
Farid Azadi / Iran
WEBSITE/INSTAGRAM
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Photograph Description:
Standing beside an idealized tapestry of romance, an elderly woman embodies the quiet weight of time, memory, and enduring truth.
Biography:
Farid Azadi is an Iranian fine art and minimalist photographer whose work also encompasses documentary storytelling. His artistic practice focuses on spatial minimalism, subtle human moments and the intricate interplay of memory and emotion. His award-winning photographs have received international recognition and have been exhibited internationally.
Honourable Mention
The Nest
Sina Khanbabaei / Iran
WEBSITE/INSTAGRAM
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Photograph Description:
O true Beloved, the chamber of vision of my eye is the dwelling of Thine. Show courtesy, and alight, for this house is the House of Thine.
Biography:
Sina Khanbabaei was born in Iran in 1985. He is a photographer, filmmaker, multimedia artist, poet and writer. He founded dib Art Studio, an interdisciplinary art group, and is a member of the Iranian Photographers Association (NIPS) and the Contemporary Visual Arts Development Institute.
Honourable Mention
Girls for Sale
Hoda Barakat / Iran
WEBSITE/INSTAGRAM
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Photograph Description:
Girls for Sale
Biography:
Hoda Barakat is an Iranian photographer and visual artist based in Mashhad. Originally trained as an architect, she moved into photography in 2021.
Her artistic practice combines constructed scenes made with paper, light and shadow with documentary photography. Her photographs have received medals at international photography salons and have appeared in Lens Magazine and Women United Art Magazine.
Honourable Mention
Wired to Survive
Preye Ekeh (Unavailable Photographer) / Nigeria
WEBSITE/INSTAGRAM
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Photograph Description:
Wired to Survive is a striking black-and-white portrait of two women connected by intricate, sculptural braids, symbolizing strength, resilience, and the bonds that help us endure.
Biography:
Unavailable Photographer is an African visual artist working across documentary photography and fashion editorial.
The artist's practice explores identity, struggle, discipline and human experience through images rooted in African life and culture. The work has received international exposure, including features in PhotoVogue, and was recognised with the Fashion & Beauty award at the Unsplash Awards 2025.
Honourable Mention
Two generations of One Destiny
Gerenzel Baskhaeva / Russia
WEBSITE/INSTAGRAM
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Photograph Description:
An intimate monochrome study of memory, survival, and silent acceptance. A wise Kalmyk grandmother, known traditionally as Eezha, holds an archival photograph of her own youth - a portrait taken directly during her years of forced exile in Siberia, following the brutal 1943 deportation of her entire nation under Stalin's regime. Decades later, her weathered hands embrace that painful past without bitterness, reflecting a profound internal peace. This personal archive serves as a universal metaphor for the resilience of a woman's soul against the harshest currents of history.
Biography:
Gerenzel Baskhaeva is a photographer based in Moscow, Russia. After overcoming a severe spinal injury, she found renewed confidence and creative freedom through photography.
Her monochrome imagery explores resilience, strength and hope, focusing on personal stories and the human capacity to endure difficult experiences.
Honourable Mention
Anemos
Viola Pantano / Italy
WEBSITE/INSTAGRAM
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Photograph Description:
Anemos is a photographic and performative experiment initiated in 2024, involving over 200 participants who responded to an open call issued by the artist. Participants were invited to hold their breath with their faces immersed in water and were photographed at the moment of resurfacing, as the body draws breath again. Documentation of this initial research is available on the artist's website.
In 2026, the artist extended this research by bringing grandmothers and granddaughters into dialogue: two generations sharing the same vital need, yet revealing distinct responses to the return of air. The submitted photograph documents the first session of this new phase, involving a grandmother and her granddaughter. The juxtaposition brings together faces shaped by different lifetimes and experiences, exploring how each expresses the tension, vulnerability and relief of this transition.
The artist's intention is to pursue an embodied inquiry rather than an ideal of photographic beauty. The sudden, unpredictable emergence from the water leaves little room for carefully controlled composition or technical refinement. The photographs may be visually awkward or unpolished; their value lies in bearing witness to the truth of that instant. Each image is a document of an unrepeatable response: the experience is never repeated for the sake of obtaining a better photograph.
Spontaneous, involuntary and unposed, these expressions at times evoke the intensity of orgasm. Between held breath and inhalation, the return to air becomes a return to life: a shared gesture in which generational distance and bodily intimacy meet.
Biography:
Viola Pantano is an Italian multidisciplinary artist working across performance, installation, photography, video art and dance.
Her artistic practice places the body at the centre of an exploration of identity, perception and relationships, intertwining physical and emotional dimensions to connect personal and collective experience.
Her works have been exhibited in numerous galleries, institutional venues and museums in Italy and internationally.
Additional Mention
Bruno Camillo - The Weight of the Braid - Syria
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Photograph Description:
In the midst of military life, a simple and intimate gesture briefly interrupts the reality of conflict. A combatant braids her companion’s hair while both remain in uniform, carrying the visible signs of war. The braid becomes a point of connection between everyday life and the reality of being a fighter, an act of care, belonging and resilience that persists even in the midst of conflict.
Rachel Racco - Journal Entry 2005 - USA
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Photograph Description:
Text on paper layered on a projected image of mother with daughter
Frederico Augusto Harada - Where Generations Meet - Brazil
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Photograph Description:
During a trip through Kenya, I had the chance to enter a small village and see a glimpse of everyday life among the tribes. This image caught my attention because it shows two women from different generations sharing the same space, surrounded by objects that are part of their daily life and traditions. For me, photography is less about posing and more about a real moment - a quiet connection between generations and a glimpse into a way of life that felt very different from my own.