National Photographic Portrait Prize

Venue: Geraldton Regional Art Gallery
Location: 24 Chapman Road, Geraldton, WA, 6530
27 Jul - 22 Sep, 2019
Web: https://artgallery.cgg.wa.gov.au/home.aspx

From an outstanding field of more than 3,000 entries, culminating in a shortlist of 39 exceptional finalists, the Winner and Highly Commended entries for this year’s National Photographic Portrait Prize have been named. The Winner for 2019 is Alana Holmberg for her portrait titled Greta in her Kitchen, 36 weeks. The Highly Commended has been awarded to Alex Vaughan for her portrait Sumbawa pride – life on a boat with eleven kids. The People Choice Award went to Kate Atkinson for her portrait, The textile scientist.

The National Photographic Portrait Prize is an annual event intended to promote the very best in contemporary photographic portraiture by both professional and aspiring Australian photographers.

Stephen Dupont, 2018 by Simon Harsent. Finalist. "I first met Stephen Dupont eight years ago; I regard him as one of Australia’s finest photographers. I’ve always found Stephen a very humble and passionate person – sometimes aloof, but in an intriguing way. When I saw his one-man show a few years ago, I saw a different side of him, and it gave me some insight, some partial understanding of the complexities of being a war photographer. To me, this portrait sums up the complex intensity of Stephen. Coincidentally, the sitting took place on September 11th this year (2018), a date in history that holds significance for both of us."

Other venues

Blue Mountains Cultural Centre: Saturday 25th January until Sunday 22nd March 2020.

Upcoming Events Submit an Event

July

Sam Contis: Moving Landscape

Perth: From 31 May – 28 Sept 2025. Featuring 85 works from three major series – Deep Springs, Overpass, and Cross Country – the exhibition spans twelve years of Contis’s evolving photographic practice.

Perth Cultural Centre, WA 6000 The Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA) | 1 Jul - 28 Sep, 2025

PIX – The magazine that changed everything (1938-1972)

Sydney: Until 31 Dec 2025. PIX, Australia’s first pictorial news weekly, is brought to life in this exhibition, showcasing its archived images and stories for the very first time.

1 Shakespeare Place, Sydney State Library of NSW | 1 Jul - 31 Dec, 2025

Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Sydney: 15 May – 19 October. Showcasing 100 incredible images, this remarkable exhibition offers a window into the astonishing variety of life on our planet – and the critical importance of preserving it.

2 Murray St Darling Harbour, Sydney Australian National Maritime Museum | 1 Jul - 19 Oct, 2025

August

In Conversation: A Photographic Dialogue Between Steve McCurry and Jessie Brinkman Evans

Leica Store Gallery in both Sydney & Melbourne present a unique photographic dialogue between Steve McCurry and Jessie Brinkman Evans. Until late October.

Leica Flagship Stores in Melbourne & Sydney Leica Flagship Stores in Melbourne & Sydney | 2 Aug - 31 Oct, 2025

Ballarat International Foto Biennale

Ballarat: 23 August – 19 October 2025. This year’s theme is Lifeforce, and it ties into an eight-week program of exhibitions, public art, talks, and workshops across more than 100 venues throughout Ballarat.

Ballarat, Victoria – various Main Venue – 12 Lydiard St North, Ballarat 3350 | 23 Aug - 19 Oct, 2025

September

Man Ray and Max Dupain

Melbourne: until 9 November. Man Ray and Max Dupain is the first major Australian exhibition to consider these two influential 20th century photographers side by side.

7 Templestowe Road, Bulleen VIC Heide Museum | 11 Sep - 9 Nov, 2025

William & Winifred Bowness Photography Prize 2025

Melbourne: 13 September – 9 November 2025. Featuring selected finalists for the 2025 William & Winifred Bowness Photography Prize.

860 Ferntree Gully Road Wheelers Hill Victoria 3150 Museum of Australian Photography | 13 Sep - 9 Nov, 2025

October

Chimera – examining beauty ideas and digital manipulation

Melbourne: Oct 31 – Nov 6. Chimera is a photographic investigation into the shifting landscape of beauty in the age of artificial intelligence and social media.

565 Chapel Street, South Yara Hawker Spaces | 30 Oct - 6 Nov, 2025