2025 : 06 Alex Mao Youth Photo Award

Jingjing Lyu;She Whispered Under Red Light;Bathed in crimson haze, her gaze blurs the line between defiance and desire. Fingers form a gesture, not of threat, but of metaphor — a silent dialogue with the self. She aims not at the world, but inward, where identity flickers like a neon confession.
Daniel Clay;Volcanic Mist;On an early Saturday morning in June, I looked out the window and saw mist and fog in the distance, so I got on the Tamaki Link down to Tamaki Drive in hope of capturing the city skyline within the fog, however when I arrived there was no fog or mist to be seen near the city. I did however notice some rather interesting mist on Rangitoto's peak, so I spent an hour capturing various different frames of the mist. I think the mist in the photos create a very dramatic scene and I used my telephoto 70 300mm to get up close to the scene. Rangitoto in my opinion, is the highlight of Auckland is a special site under protection and management by the Department of Conservation, so I think it fits well with theme of 'Sustain'.
Kuan Chen;First light over Takapuna;Woken up by a call from my friend who told me there would be fog that morning, we both rushed out to Takapuna and were greeted by sunrise with a blanket of low fog over the entire city
Kuan Chen;Above clouds;A painfully cold night sleeping on a rooftop in the city ended up being worth it as we watched a sea of low clouds roll in
Nina Dorday;Unbound;This photo explores the idea of control — how people are boxed in, watched, or held back. Standing just outside the fence, the figure blurs with motion, caught between resistance and freedom. It captures the moment of stepping beyond what’s meant to contain you, even if the boundaries still feel close.
Nina Dorday;Passing Through;This photo captures a fleeting moment — like a ghost passing through a familiar space. The blur suggests memory, motion, or even something unresolved. It’s about how places hold traces of us long after we’ve left, and how time never really stands still.
Nina Dorday;Trapped;This photograph captures the moment just before the scream — that silent, invisible panic that lives beneath the surface. I created this piece to explore the often hidden reality of mental health struggles, particularly fear, anxiety, and feeling trapped in your own mind.
Connie Li;Moon & Plane;I captured this photo to represent the feeling of dreaming big. The moon and the plane in the night sky show the start of a journey—chasing goals that seem far away but possible. It’s about believing in yourself, imagining the future, and aiming high.
Connie Li;Night & Stairs;I took this photo during a quiet night walk. The staircase lit by moonlight reminded me of how moving forward in life can feel uncertain, but even in the dark, there’s always a path to follow.
Connie Li;Yellow & Purple;I was drawn to the contrast between the yellow and purple flowers in the dark. The purple flower stands alone, surrounded by yellow ones, which made me think about individuality, difference, and standing out in a crowd. This photo is about seeing beauty in what makes us unique.
Kate McKeen;glimpse of today
Kate McKeen;of a feather

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