Steve McCurry hand-selected 45 winning images from over 500 global submissions for the 11th All About Photo Awards, themed “The Mind’s Eye,” marking a milestone in contemporary visual storytelling.
The awards, announced in April 2026, spotlight photographers from 15 countries across four continents, with winning works ranging from quiet, reflective scenes to bold, documentary-style images that challenge viewers to pause and reconsider everyday moments.
First place went to Matt McClain of the United States for “Window to the Past,” a photograph taken at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia that layers a misted window with the reflection of a historical interpreter, blurring past and present as the U.S. Approaches its 250th anniversary.
Brooke Shaden, as well of the United States, earned second place with “Obscura,” a surreal self-portrait examining how individuals curate their identities in the age of social sharing, drawing on her 17-year practice of self-portraiture to question the consequences of voluntary self-exposure online.
France Leclerc, representing both the United States and Canada, secured third place with “Celestial Ladies,” a culturally resonant image noted for its grace and stillness, capturing a moment of quiet strength amid broader global turbulence.
The merit awards expanded the narrative to include images addressing labor conditions, environmental fragility, and political unrest, alongside photographs of tradition, spirituality, and fleeting daily wonders — such as a cyclist reflected in a dew drop or a diver suspended among whales — reinforcing the theme that extraordinary vision can emerge from ordinary settings.
Notably, three of the top five winners were women, underscoring a continued shift toward greater visibility and recognition for female voices in a field historically dominated by male perspectives.
The selection process emphasized not just geographic diversity but the intentionality behind each frame, with McCurry seeking images that “build you stop and look twice,” whether through surrealism, intimacy, or cinematic composition.
By anchoring several winning images in specific historical and cultural contexts — from Thomas Jefferson’s legacy in Williamsburg to the bustling streets of Mumbai and Havana — the awards illustrated how photography can serve as both a mirror and a bridge across time and distance.
The All About Photo Awards, now in its 11th year, continues to function as a vital platform for emerging and established photographers alike, offering a curated snapshot of how the world is being seen, interpreted, and reimagined through the lens.
What is the significance of the “The Mind’s Eye” theme for this year’s awards?
The theme encouraged photographers to explore perception, memory, and inner experience, resulting in works that blend observation with introspection, such as McClain’s layered window reflection and Shaden’s exploration of identity in self-portraiture.
How did Steve McCurry’s involvement influence the selection of winners?
As the sole juror, McCurry applied his renowned eye for visual storytelling to choose 45 images that balance technical skill with emotional depth, prioritizing photographs that provoke a second look and reveal deeper layers of meaning.
Why is the geographic and gender diversity of the winners notable?
With winners from 15 countries and three of the top five spots held by women, the results reflect a broadening of perspectives in global photography, countering historical imbalances in representation and highlighting underreported stories from regions like West Africa, Tibet, and Tunisia.
