The prestigious Outstanding Contribution to Photography Award at the 2025 Sony World Photography Awards will be presented to Susan Meiselas, in recognition of her significant influence on the medium over the past five decades.
Meiselas, known for her deeply engaged and compassionate approach, has made an indelible mark on documentary photography with her thoughtful portrayals of people in their communities. She is particularly celebrated for highlighting the stories of women and for her expansive photographic essays, which delve into issues of human rights, personal narratives, and the intricacies of place.
Meiselas’ work spans a variety of compelling subjects, from capturing the lives of girls growing up in Little Italy, New York, to women performing striptease at state fairs across New England, as well as women escaping domestic violence in the UK. Her extensive documentation of human rights struggles in Latin America and her photographic history of Kurdistan further demonstrate her commitment to sharing often overlooked or misunderstood stories. Meiselas’ approach combines intimate, long-term engagement with her subjects, often blending photography with field notes and participant testimonies to invite collaboration and deepen the viewer’s understanding.
An exhibition at Somerset House in London, from 17 April to 5 May 2025, will present excerpts from five of Meiselas’ key projects, including some never before exhibited in the UK. The exhibition will feature her early works, such as 44 Irving Street, Prince Street Girls, and Carnival Strippers, as well as later projects like Pandora’s Box and A Room of Their Own. These works reflect recurring themes in her practice, focusing on what is often hidden from public view, such as the personal lives of performers, the struggles of women in refuge, and the transformation of individuals over time.
The series on display at Somerset House traces the interpersonal relationships and dynamics that Meiselas has documented across her career. 44 Irving Street (1971) invited residents of her boarding house to write about the contrast between how they viewed themselves and how they were portrayed in her portraits. Prince Street Girls (1975-1990) follows the lives of young girls growing up in Little Italy, documenting their evolution into adulthood. Carnival Strippers (1972-75) captures the dualities of women performing striptease at carnivals, balancing their onstage personas with private moments and reflections from the women, managers, and audiences involved. Pandora’s Box (1995) is an immersive projection centered on a New York City S&M club, while A Room of Their Own (2015-2017) features portraits of women residing in a UK refuge, accompanied by their personal testimonies and original artworks.
Meiselas’ photographic journey began after completing her MA in visual education at Harvard University, before she moved into teaching. Her first project, Carnival Strippers, began in 1972 during school summer breaks. She joined Magnum Photos in 1976, continuing to create powerful bodies of work, including her vivid and widely recognized photographs documenting the Nicaraguan revolution in the late 1970s.
Reflecting on receiving the award, Meiselas shared, “I am honoured to receive this Award for my contribution to the ever-expanding world of photography. Over the past 50 years, I have had the privilege of witnessing history being made, sharing the often unseen lives of those engaged in its making. The work on display invites reflection not only on the photographs themselves but also on the relationships that shaped and inspired them.”
As the 18th recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to Photography Award, Meiselas joins an esteemed list of past honorees, including Mary Ellen Mark (2014), Martin Parr (2017), Graciela Iturbide (2021), Edward Burtynsky (2022), and Sebastião Salgado (2024). She will officially receive the award during the annual gala ceremony in London on 16 April 2025, alongside the overall winners of the Sony World Photography Awards.
For more details on upcoming announcements and winners, visit www.worldphoto.org
