LONDON.- From 1854 Media and British Journal of Photography, the Female in Focus award launched in 2019 in response to staggering gender imbalance in photography. Globally, 70-80% of photography students are women. Yet they account for only 13-15% of professional photographers.

And when women’s stories aren’t recognised, we’re not getting the whole picture.

From Imogen Freeland’s poignant take on motherhood to Marzena Han’s look at the “social invisibility” felt by middle-aged women – Paola Vivas’ defiant portrait of Latino identity to Thandiwe Muriu’s vibrant celebration of African individuality – Female in Focus 2021 weaves a raw and intricate tapestry of women’s experiences from around the world.

The winners were selected by an internationally esteemed panel of judges including Joanna Milter, Director of Photography for the New Yorker; Aldeide Delgado, Founder and Director of Women Photographers International Archive (WOPHA); Holly Fraser, Editor-in-Chief of WePresent, and others.

The exhibition – sponsored by MPB, the world’s largest online platform for used photo and video kit – will go on show at Green Space Miami as part of the inaugural WOPHA Congress in Miami, USA, from 18 November 2021 - 18 January 2022, as well as a UK exhibition later this year.

Female in Focus in Miami is made possible thanks to the support from Green Family Foundation, Green Space Miami, and the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, the Cultural Affairs Council, and the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of county commissioners.

“At MPB, we understand the transformative power of photography and why it’s critical to address gender inequality in the industry. We are committed to increasing opportunities in visual storytelling by putting photo and video kit into more hands, giving more people a voice, and helping to visualize a more sustainable future. We’re incredibly proud to sponsor Female in Focus to shine a light on the extraordinary work of women and non-binary photographers around the globe” — Sophie Collins, Chief Marketing Officer, MPB

“In a fertile moment where we witness the rise of initiatives oriented to render visible women’s long-neglected contributions to photographic arts, the Female in Focus award represents an extraordinary opportunity for emerging talents to have their work promoted by one of the most prestigious photography platforms. It provides recognition, professional opportunities and fosters collaboration among an international supporting network of women in photography. I’m honored to co-present the Female in Focus exhibition as part of the celebration of the world’s first-ever WOPHA Congress, an international convening that invites women photography organizations from around the world to participate alongside acclaimed art historians, curators, and preeminent women photographers on the topics of women, photography and feminisms.” — Aldeide Delgado, Founder and Director of Women Photographers International Archive (WOPHA)