2025 : 06 Alex Mao Youth Photo Award

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
Daniel Clay;Never Too Young ;With this photo, I got down low in order to depict the child protester in a vasty powerful manner. This photo demonstrates the extent the world's issues affect society. Even the very young are affected. I like the way a young child is protesting as pose to an older being which is usually depicted as more normal. The child is depicted is a leader, leading the other protesters which again isn't something you would expect.
shafeek allie;new zealand scaup
Daniel Clay;A Reflection of The Past;This photo was taken onboard the 75 bus from Glen Innes to Wynyard Quarter. I personally loved the contrast between the array of natural features and Rangitoto in looming in the background and the way humans have built upon this land which was once solely occupied by nature. It reflects issues which humans have created with urbanization and how as populations increase more and more natural land will be built upon and lose its natural values. It makes me reflect on what this land looked like before us humans occupied it.
Daniel Clay;Quiet Action;With this photo I liked the way the term
Daniel Clay;All For Nothing?;This photo provokes us to think about the ways in which we dispose of items. This photo exposes humans to their wrongdoings, in this case a lone face mask which has been littered on the ground. I also really like the contrast and the story the mask tells, as years ago during covid, masks were so prominent within society and now (as this photo shows) they possess little significance in our lives and society. It is just another piece of garbage littered along our streets. We spent years stressing about wearing masks when the reality is that in the coming years, masks would later become just new elements of litter on our streets. So, did we stress and wear them all for nothing?
Daniel Clay;Submissive By Choice?;This photo depicts how the migration of humans into Aotearoa has resulted in the loss of a vast expanse of natural land in order to make way for housing. What once was an untouched environment has now faced the consequences of being invaded by the humans and their societal elements. The housing in this photo in Wellington truly appears as an invasive species and an eyesore which doesn't fit in with the aesthetics of Aotearoa's natural environment. It shows the negative effects which come with urbanization

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