WINNERS & FINALISTS

Announcing the Winners of the
LensCulture Photobook Prize 2026

Photobooks are enjoying an extraordinary moment around the world. At their best, they offer something uniquely powerful: a space where photographs can unfold in sequence, build connections, and tell stories in ways that individual images simply cannot. The remarkable response to our inaugural LensCulture Photobook Prize confirmed just how vibrant and inventive the form has become.

We’re thrilled to announce the Winner, five Shortlisted projects, and ten Finalists, selected from submissions by photographers in 91 countries. We’re especially honored to be collaborating with Nazraeli Press to fully fund, design, print, publish and distribute a photobook of the winning project. The Prize also offered photographers a rare opportunity to put their work directly in front of some of today’s most accomplished photobook publishers.

Our jury was deeply impressed by the range of subjects, ideas and creative approaches they encountered. The 16 photographers presented here take us into remarkably different worlds, reflecting the richness and diversity of visual storytelling today. We’re delighted to share their work, along with statements from the photographers and reflections from members of our jury. Enjoy!

https://www.lensculture.com/photo-competitions/photobook/winners?utm_term=PB26-Winners&utm_medium=email&utm_source=inh&utm_content=PB26-Winners&utm_campaign=PB26-Winners

Winner

Winner receives: Photobook publication with Nazraeli Press (value of over $25,000) • Full book design and production • 500-copy print run, including 50 complimentary artist copies • Worldwide distribution & promotion through Nazraeli Press • Dedicated feature on LensCulture • Print exhibition at ShowLA, Los Angeles 2026

JAPAN

Kazuaki Koseki

Hotarubi – Summer Fairies

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Among the numerous competitions I have had the privilege of participating in over the years, the LensCulture Photobook Prize 2026 presented the most exceptional level of quality and creativity. There were many outstanding entries, and this makes me very optimistic about the future of photography and publishing. ”

— Chris Pichler, Nazraeli Press

Shortlisted

Shortlisted receives: $500 grant • Dedicated feature on LensCulture • 30-minute video consultation with LensCulture founders • Print exhibition at ShowLA, Los Angeles 2026

UNITED KINGDOM

Alice Poyzer

Other Joys

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Shortlisted

UNITED STATES

Avery Norman

Cry to the Angels

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Shortlisted

UNITED STATES

Juliana Beasley

Last Stop. Rockaway Park

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Shortlisted

UNITED STATES

Marcia Bricker Halperin

Still Hell’s Kitchen 

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Shortlisted

UNITED STATES

Marcus DeSieno

Geography of Disappearance: Migrant Deaths on the US/Mexico Border

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It really was an amazing experience to judge the LensCulture Photobook Prize 2026. As Co-founder and Director of independent photobook publisher Stanley/Barker, I’ve spent many years bringing photography into the world in book form and I was so impressed by the incredibly high standard and wide range of projects submitted. It was particularly exciting to see such strong work I might not have otherwise seen!”

— Rachel Barker, Stanley/Barker

Finalists

Finalists receive: International recognition and promotion to LensCulture’s
worldwide audience

ITALY

Claudia Fuggetti

Metamorphosis

BULGARIA

Blagovesta Semkova

SON

CANADA

Steve Blackwell

Two Beginnings and No End

UNITED STATES

Matthew Ludak

Nothing Gold Can Stay 

UNITED STATES

Sean Kernan

Life Without Mercy

UNITED STATES

Aaron Canipe

South of Heaven

JAPAN

Tatsuo Suzuki

Raw Power

SPAIN

Carlos Folgoso Sueiro

Alén do Lago (Beyond the lake)

FINLAND

Francisco Gonzalez Camacho

Elsewhere

UNITED STATES

Dave Coyle

Yesterday You Said Tomorrow

What an honor to have juried such an eclectic group of submissions. Congratulations to all the entrants. This is a great barometer of where photography is today and it shows that the possibilities are endless.”

— Clint Woodside, Deadbeat Club

Meet Our International Jury

Chris Pichler

Nazraeli Press

United States

Gianluca Gamberini

L’Artiere

Italy

Rachel Barker

Stanley/Barker

United Kingdom

Clint Woodside

Deadbeat Club

United States

Laura Sackett

LensCulture

United States

Exhibition at ShowLA in Los Angeles:

Dec 10 – 13, 2026

The top winner and 5 short-listed photographers recognized through the LensCulture Photobook Prize 2026 will have their work exhibited in Los Angeles in December 2026 at ShowLA – the annual international event bringing together collectors, photographers, galleries and book publishers to celebrate the latest great work from the photography world.