Thirty finalists were selected from more than 1,000 entries in the 2026 photographic competition which has a $30,000 cash prize for first place. This year’s winner is Nathan Beard’s portrait of his Thai-born aunt Mae Khong, who was recuperating after a debilitating fall. Judges said Beard’s portrait has an ‘immediate and compelling emotional pull’ and offers an insight into the relationship between the artist and subject. The exhibition is on now at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra
Australia’s national photographic portrait prize 2026 – in pictures
Thirty finalists were selected from more than 1,000 entries in the 2026 photographic competition which has a $30,000 cash prize for first place. This year’s winner is Nathan Beard’s portrait of his Thai-born aunt Mae Khong, who was...
Judges said Beard’s portrait has an ‘immediate and compelling emotional pull’ and offers an insight into the relationship between the artist and subject. The exhibition is on now at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra Passed out on the grass National photographic portrait prize 2026 winner: Mae Khong Winner of the first time finalist award:...
- The exhibition is on now at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra Passed out on the grass National photographic portrait prize 2026 winner: Mae Khong Winner of the first time finalist...
- Uncle Mervyn Bishop – Australia’s first Aboriginal Press Photographer Leith at the Dog Show Holding Space 24 Weeks The Falling Tina A Portrait as a Parent Sublim8 Star Sisterhood ‘His Nibs’...
Editorial reading aid based only on information contained in this story and its identified source.
Passed out on the grass
National photographic portrait prize 2026 winner: Mae Khong
Winner of the first time finalist award: Ngh?/Nghiêm (Attention/At ease)
Winner of the art handlers’ award: UNTITLED: 01 2025 from the series What Remains?
Uncle Mervyn Bishop – Australia’s first Aboriginal Press Photographer
Leith at the Dog Show
Holding Space
24 Weeks
The Falling
Tina
A Portrait as a Parent
Sublim8
Star
Sisterhood
‘His Nibs’ Mt Isa Airport, 13-9-60, blood-time-lines
EBONY
Between Us
Star I from the series Persephone
David Howell, Actor, Sydney, Australia
Aitor
Three Siblings: Chromatograms of Emmie, Rasmus and Cosmos
Coming Home
The Quarry
Walkabout
Blak & Bare
Chú T?u (Uncle T?u)
On the Chair
Arranging by Chance (doctored exposure)
Bri
Kanjdjihkanjdji Madjinbardi Kukabo (Down by the River at Madjinbardi)
Photography