Alex Mao Youth Photo Award 2025

In June 2025 the Alex Mao Youth Photo Award invited photographers/artists (under 25 years) to enter their best work. We are delighted to announce the winners of this our 7th annual Youth Photo Awards. Winner of 1st place is Isabella Noubata with 'Na Bati Lailai - The Young Warrior'.

Shortlisting was done by the external judges, Petra Leary, Award winning Commercial & Drone photography specialist and Theo Macdonald, Visual Artist & writer, on behalf of the Alex Mao Foundation and Festival Trust, they said of the winning portrait "Isabella Nabouta’s 'Na Bati Lailai' combines technical precision with a compelling, expressive vision. Her creative choices — composition, flash, subject, and the expressionistic aerial backdrop — are heightened by the inherent uncertainty of collaborating with human subjects. Her brother’s obstinate gaze carries a poignant intensity, evoking a lineage of powerful, humanistic imagery from Aotearoa’s photographic history, particularly the protest photography of John Miller and Gil Hanly, and the training field portraits of Edith Amituanai's Dejeuner project. Beneath the surface of Nabouta's meticulously constructed portrait lies a tension between artifice and documentary that underscores photography’s distinctive dialectical power.” Adding “the contrast between the figure and the moody background creates a powerful emotional atmosphere”

In her words her winning image was "Inspired by Raude by Black Rose, this image of my little brother Jireh in traditional Fijian warrior wear reflects our people’s strength, sacrifice, journey - themes echoed in the stormy sea and Jireh’s Cakaudrove heritage"

Isabella wins $1200NZD cash grant with the Alex Mao Foundation supporters and amazing Harvey Norman package, Sony Alpha A6700 Mirrorless Camera, Sony E-MOUNT E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS Zoom Lense, Epson P706 Photo Printer and 2 X Ilford Pro Inkjet Paper – Smooth Pearl A4 packs.

2nd prize winner is Thomas Hope with ‘Sad Little Seal’. Judge's comment "This image of a sleeping baby seal really stood out, the composition and depth are beautifully done, the colors are spot on, and the simplicity makes it incredibly captivating ". Thomas is a student in Auckland and he commented about his photo "A cute seal having a nightmare". He wins $500NZD cash grant from Alex Mao Foundation supporters, a $500NZD print voucher sponsored by Print Art Co Ltd and Harvey Norman package, FeuyiTech Scorp Pro Handheld Stabilizer F4.

3rd prize winner is Andrei Cruz with ‘SOS’. Judge's comments “really enjoyed the abstract image of the ocean, it’s a beautiful ode to SZA, with a simple yet powerful concept, minimal composition, and use of light". Andrei said in his submission "This photo was inspired by SZA's album cover "SOS" Her album really helped me get through a rough time in my life."

About winning 3rd place he said "I am a highschool student from Edgewater College, I'm passionate about nature photography more leaning towards water ripple/reflection. I never expected that one of the images I've sent would be chosen and I'm very grateful to be in the top 3, I borrowed a camera from school and just rode my bike around Rotary walk capturing things I find interesting."

Andrei wins a $500 cash grant from Alex Mao Foundation supporters and Harvey Norman pack -Matterport Axis Smartphone Gimbal + Tripod Starter Bundle, Vanguard Vesta Aspire Shoulder Bag 21 Carry Case.

See all our wonderful Youth Photo Award winners since 2019. To date over $10000 has been Awarded to support Youth photographers in NZ through this Award.

Thanks to our product and services sponsors -

Print Art Fine Art Imaging

Maverick: Alex Mao Youth Photography Awards Portraits

Auckland Festival of Photography [whakaahua hākari] is delighted to present a curated exhibition, Maverick: Alex Mao Youth Photography Awards Portraits - featuring various ‘edgy and blurry’ portraits from the Alex Mao Youth Photography Award archive 2019-2024.

Often captured while the artists are still discovering, experimenting, refining, and propagating their creative interests in photography, this selection of images reflects these artists traversing their own episodes of creative and technical tumult. Their portraitures, mostly untethered by professional and technical doctrines, distinguish themselves into their own category. Edginess and blurriness evolve into proficient expressions of their subject matter.

What emerges is over six years of radically expressive stories that often characterises youth portrait photography, and the vigorous technical decisions that express such stories. Whether of themselves, or of another person/character; real people or fictional characters; curated to candid; smudged silhouettes to tack sharp profiles absorbing the first person into their own world. Let this exhibition be a journey into the creative minds lesser seen and give spotlight to some emerging photographic practices within Aotearoa New Zealand. This exhibition was curated by Daniel Ho, Exhibitions Coordinator.

Selected Artists

2024 - Aileen Chen, Charlie Stringer, Grace Lian, Sarah Yuu Kuroki, Missouri Wilton

2023 - Bellamy Mordecai, Ojiro Suzuki, Paris Munro, Jackie Ahlin, Latamai Katoa, Molly Eastwood, Lan Yang, Riko Fernandez

2022 - Chelsea Bauer, Jared Aschmann, Ava-Mae

2021 - Elyssa Chen, Juliana Yan, Claire Li, Sonam Bagwe, Mattheus Elwood, Theodore Holmstead-Scott, Sarah Dunn

2020 - Natasha Knight, Liam Mooney, Melissa Tapper, Aden Lao

2019 - Joshua Pearson, Amie Kaufman, Yanling Yu

Opens Friday 4th October, Pop up gallery, Devonport Wharf arcade, Queens Parade. Wharf interior arcade is open Monday to Sat 5:30am, closes 1130pm Mon to Thurs, closes 1.30am Sat & Sun. Free. Thanks to Auckland Transport. Image above by Ava Mae; The Mask (2022 Youth Photo Award entry).

Alex Mao Youth Photo Award 2024

In June 2024 the Alex Mao Youth Photo Award invited photographers/artists (under 25 years) to enter their best work. We are delighted to announce the winners of this our 6th annual Youth Photo Awards. Winner of 1st prize is Aileen Chen with 'Rainer & Cat 2023'.

Shortlisting was done by the Festival team and external judge, Tushar Sharma, ImageN8, on behalf of the Alex Mao Foundation,  said of the winning portrait "Its a quirky staged scene, with a odd array of items, and a cat half out of shot, half in, whilst this may be seen as irregular, we feel the artist has created a fictional aurora of the imagination which is like looking into a private world filled with creative tension for the viewer, from a well planned and staged image series that speak to youth culture, leaving many questions of the viewer and strong artistic merit"

She wins $1200NZD cash grant with the Alex Mao trophy. Aileen is a photographer and stylist, working with a multidisciplinary practice based in fashion design in Auckland and said "My pictures are usually improvised and beginning somewhere without knowing how it’s going to turn out. There’s a hint of girlhood or youth culture, mixed with an editorial composition. To me a photograph is aligning the head, eye and heart. Just digging into memories of youth and maybe extracting a poem or a new perspective from it, it comes naturally because you’re just mining what was already emotional in the first place." 

2nd prize winner is Shafeek Allie, Barn Owl. Judging comments said "This is a great image of an owl looking straight at us. You can feel its sentient gaze on you. The lighting is fabulous and the detail in the face and features is great. The brown colour of the feathers reflects in the blurred brown background". This winning image is one from his series of portraits of nature in rural Rodney district of Auckland, good use of light, framing and colour. He wins a $500NZD print voucher sponsored by Print Art Co Ltd.

Shafeek says "I've always had a love for nature, and photography was a perfect way for me to capture this adoration that I have. I view photography as a way to capture moments in time, and I'm so happy that this picture has gotten the appreciation and praise of the judges!"

These are highly commended by the Festival team and external judge, Tushar Sharma, ImageN8 for our Award supporters at Alex Mao Foundation.

Savannah Leota, Cara Baard, Anna Blake, Hillary Ho, Indie Ford.

Supported by the Alex Mao Photo Foundation, Print Art and presented by Image Auckland [tāmaki makaurau].

See all our wonderful Youth Photo Award winners since 2019. To date over $7800 has been Awarded to support Youth photographers in NZ through this Award.

Youth Photo Award 2023

In June 2023 the Alex Mao Youth Photo Award invited photographers/artists (under 25 years) to enter their best work. We are delighted to announce the winners of this our 5th annual Youth Photo Awards.

Shortlisting was done by the Festival team and external selection of the Alex Mao Foundation, who said of teenager Latamai's winning portrait - "This is one of his entries from a series which shows consistent ability to use ambient light for his portraits and he has captured his winning image of his teenage sister outside their house, showing a rebellious staunch young woman, who's clear engagement with her eyes looking direct at the viewer, creating a question to the viewer too. It is a series that is a worthy 1st place selection, using available light, focus and shadows to good effect" 

He wins $1200NZD cash grant with the trophy. Latamai is a student based in the North Shore said "it was only earlier this year I had turned to photography as my chosen medium after completing the Air NZ/National Geographic summer photo clubs for youth photographers in New Zealand". He is a first time entrant to the Youth Photo Award.

2nd place - Aotea Taylor - Last Light

This winning image is one from her series of portraits of horses in rural New Zealand, good use of light, framing and colour. Aotea wins a $600NZD cash grant with certificate.

"I received an old camera by a friend last month having no experience with DSLR, so I am very delighted to be chosen!" says Waikato based photographer and horse breeder, Aotea. "When I photograph, It makes me feel as if I am immortalising that moment. That for the horses that are in my care, at one time, they existed here and stood upon this land. I would like for their memory to live on, long when they leave me." She is a first time entrant to the Youth Photo Award.

Youth Photo Award 2022

In 2022 the Youth Photo Award took place, we invited photographers/artists (under 25 years) to enter their best work.

We're delighted to announce the 4th annual Youth Photo Award winner of the 2022 Alex Mao Prize, is Sophie Hansen, with her gritty portrait of her Dad's working hands welding a new object in his shed titled Create Something New. "My poppa asked me to take a photo of him welding but I'm not much of a people photographer at all, I prefer animals, so when he asked me this I enterprited it as me taking a photo of the sparks flying and the machine. It wasnt until later when I showed him this photo that he said "did you get any of me?" and I suddenly realised I was supposed to be taking photos with him in it!"

Congratulations to Sophie who wins NZ$1200 cash grant. Plus a print of her winning photo.

2nd prize winner, Kellie Masiutama, who wins a framed print, of her winning image He Taonga tuku iho, which she created to be part her exhibition in the Festival this year, but it didnt make it in, the show is open at Papakura Art Gallery until 25 June. Kellie stated "The hands with the pounamu is represented as myself being cleansed in my waters. The stunning Wahine represents myself in present time not fully healed. But content."

This year's entries were from around New Zealand, with a variety of subjects and skills, we thank everyone who took part, see all entries here. Our judge was Linda Tyler, Associate Professor, University of Auckland, and currently teaches art writing and curatorial practice at Honours level in the Art History Department.

To date over $4800 in grant money has been Awarded to support Youth photography in NZ through this Award. 

Presented by Image Auckland [tāmaki makaurau]

Alex Mao Youth Award 2021

Congratulations to Francis Cai, winner of the 3^rd Alex Mao Youth award, an award for emerging photographers under the age of 25. He wins a $1200 cash grant. Francis’s image is called Moving Out.  He says: I remember that not long ago, I was living with my cousin Untaka in Mount Roskill, he was always busy preparing me a delicious dinner. The day we cleaned up the house together and departed for our own future is still in sight. 

Moving Out was chosen by judge Sanji Karu from over 200 entries as the winning image. Sanji, who is a photographer and Director of Skar Image Lab, a Fine Art Print Studio, said: I would love to print this and have it on my wall. It has good composition and the light is beautiful. The negative space is well balanced with the object in focus. It is a minimalist image but it speaks volumes of the change we have gone through in recent times, leaving one path behind and moving forward along another. 

Alex Mao Youth Award 2020

Matt Hurley won the 2020 Alex Mao Youth Award, a new photography prize for emerging photographers with his image 'Sunday Treat'. Congratulations Matt. He wins a $1200 cash grant.

Judge Raymond Sagapolutele, said "The image that I chose, Matt Hurley's summer ice cream has so much going for it. It is a portrait but not just of a person but that moment in time and characterised in the melting mess that anyone will recognise and engage with, it's the face of Summer. I may be sentimental in my appreciation of the image but there is so much that this engages with, the sense of a moment in time and recalled memory and with the use of shallow depth of field the hazy feeling that pulls the viewer into the details of what's on offer. The ice cream itself is a caricature of a face melting and smiling and running down the arm of the person we don't know just out of frame."

Alex Mao Youth Award 2019