RUNNER-UP
PORTRAITS CATEGORY
On May 28th 2025, I was awarded Runner-Up in the Portrait Category at the Event Photography Awards (EPA) in London. Out of more than 2,500 entries, my image was selected as one of the very best, a moment of recognition I carry with pride and deep gratitude.This wasn’t just a professional milestone, it was a reminder of the power of storytelling within queer spaces, and the importance of visibility through art.
The awarded portrait was taken during an event by House of Lux, a queer artistic collective I frequently collaborate with. It captures performer 'Susan From Grindr' in a moment of full concentration, a portrait not of stillness, but of presence, movement, and authenticity. A visual tribute to identity and resilience.
The Event Photography Awards is a prestigious UK-based competition that celebrates outstanding photography across the entire spectrum of live events — from sports to concerts, festivals to cultural nights. The 2025 jury featured more than 60 industry professionals, making this recognition all the more meaningful.
The submission came with uncertainty. Awards can be elusive, you never quite know what connects, and what doesn’t. But I knew this image had heart. Once I was longlisted, I allowed myself to hope. When I heard I’d been shortlisted, I booked my ticket to London without hesitation — and for the first time in my life, I stood among some of the best event photographers in the UK and beyond.
This was also my first time in London — a city I’ve always wanted to explore. To experience it for the first time through the lens of recognition, artistic validation, and queer joy made it unforgettable.
The support I received — from friends, fellow artists, and my creative family — was overwhelming. I want to give a special shoutout to House of Lux, whose event provided the space and energy for this image to be born. And to everyone who sent messages, reposted the news, or simply reached out: thank you. This was a shared win.
This moment isn’t the destination — it’s a launchpad. This recognition has reminded me why I do what I do: to tell stories that matter, to uplift voices that deserve space, and to keep building a visual archive of our communities.
The awards ceremony took place at the iconic RIBA – Royal Institute of British Architects, located on Portland Place in central London. With its grand Art Deco architecture and rich cultural legacy, RIBA offered the perfect backdrop for a night celebrating creativity and visual excellence. Standing in that historic space — surrounded by fellow artists, curators, and industry leaders — made the recognition feel all the more surreal and significant.
