• ‘Every photograph captured was not merely an image but an act of defiance against the imposed invisibility,’ says award-winning photographer Valentina Sinis on documenting Afghan women

ISTANBUL

From war-scarred memories in Georgia to defiant portraits of Afghan women under Taliban rule, İstanbul Photo Awards 2025 winners highlighted the power of photography as both a moral duty and a document of truth in times of repression and displacement.

İstanbul Photo Awards, organized by Anadolu for its 11th consecutive year, awarded 29 photographers across 10 categories. The selections were made from approximately 22,000 submissions from around the world, a testament to the contest's growing prestige, which has attracted entries from more than 20,000 photographers globally since its inception.

Echoes of exile

Marylise Vigneau, winner of the Single Portrait 2nd Prize, captured a haunting image symbolizing “the suffering of people displaced by imperialist wars and power games.”

Her portrait tells the story of Dzabuli Bendeliani, who fled Georgia’s Abkhazia region during the Georgian-Abkhaz war in 1992. “Diverse and interwoven stories form a fragmented, subjective portrait of a geographical and mental space,” Vigneau told Anadolu.

“During their escape, her daughter dropped a doll, which Dzabuli quickly retrieved. This doll remains the only possession she has from her former life,” she said.

She photographed Bendeliani in the corridors of Tskaltubo -- a Soviet-era spa town now home to thousands of internally displaced people -- where her subject has lived for 30 years.

“I chose (to apply with) this image because it holds the sorrow of time distorted by war. It speaks of childhood never fully lived, of old age steeped in silence, of a life unraveled before it could unfold. The encounter touched something deep,” Vigneau said.

Working alone, Vigneau researched locations in advance and traveled to Georgia to add a new chapter to her long-term project “It Was Forever Until It Was No More,” which explores post-Soviet identity across Central Asia and the Caucasus.

“Regarding my technique, it was simple—just my 28mm lens and natural light,” she noted.

‘Photographers preserve memory’

Reflecting on the role of photography, Vigneau stressed that “every moment captured with our cameras holds meaning. Documentary photographers protect and preserve memory through their work, extracting clandestine truths and bringing them to light,” she said.

“A photograph endures as a document for the future, especially in these times marked by war crimes in places like Ukraine and Palestine,” she added.

She warned of the growing risks posed by artificial intelligence in visual journalism: “An image generated by artificial intelligence is the antithesis of photojournalism, which involves venturing into the field, confronting raw reality with a delicate balance of confidence and humility, and striving for objectivity,” Vigneau said.

“AI has censorship but no ethics. It misses the crucial qualities that define photojournalism: empathy, trust, and understanding,” she added.

Vigneau learned of her award “as the protests against the rigged parliamentary elections and the violence of the 'Georgian Dream' regime were nearing their hundredth day.”

She said she was happy “to contribute to bring attention to Georgia’s long, ongoing struggle for independence from Russia.”

The French photographer also noted that the project reflects on political utopias, their corruption, identity and memory, and people's independence and resilience.

Acts of defiance through the lens

Valentina Sinis, recipient of the Story Daily Life 1st prize, won for her series “Were Afghan Women to Unveil Their Tales,” a project that sought to document the hidden lives of women under Taliban rule.

“Embarking on the ‘Were Afghan Women to Unveil Their Tales’ project was an emotionally charged and complex journey,” Sinis told Anadolu.

“The preparation began long before setting foot in Afghanistan, involving meticulous planning to ensure the safety of both myself and the women I aimed to photograph,” she said.

Each meeting had to be arranged with utmost discretion to protect the women’s identities. “The pervasive fear was tangible, yet many exhibited extraordinary courage in sharing their stories,” she said.

Sinis noted that she met more than 50 women and girls, each sharing stories of resilience in the face of harsh restrictions and persistent security threats.

“The determination of these women inspired me to persevere. Every photograph captured was not merely an image but an act of defiance against the imposed invisibility,” she said.

Sinis stressed that she embraced a collaborative approach and empowered the Afghan women to have control over how their stories and images were presented.

“Recognizing that no outsider can fully grasp the nuances of such a complex culture, I believed it was essential for them to guide the narrative,” she said, adding that this approach ensured their voices were represented with dignity and respect.

Sinis said that she aimed to capture “everyday moments that reflected their resilience and hope,” explaining that the project required careful planning, cultural sensitivity, and deep respect to authentically and safely tell their stories.

‘Each photo a silent cry that challenges oblivion’

The Italian photographer said her project was “a deeply personal endeavor” reflecting her commitment “to amplifying voices that often go unheard.”

“For the subjects, these images serve as a means to break the imposed silence, offering an opportunity to share their truths with the world. In a context where personal expression is stifled, each photograph becomes an act of resistance, a silent cry that challenges oblivion and demands attention,” she said.

Sinis emphasized that documentary photography carries “immense power and responsibility” in shaping societal perceptions and driving change.

‘Images of destruction, displacement, and despair in Gaza as visceral testimonies’

“In the context of the ongoing genocide in Gaza, this responsibility becomes even more critical,” she added,

Underlining that photography possesses the unique ability to capture raw, unfiltered moments that resonate universally, transcending cultural and linguistic barriers, Sinis said: “In Gaza, images of destruction, displacement, and despair serve as visceral testimonies to the atrocities occurring.”

“These photographs evoke empathy, challenge prevailing narratives, and inspire action,” she noted.

She believes photography can drive social change by “documenting and sharing stories that might otherwise remain unheard,” helping to foster understanding, challenge injustices, and inspire collective action for a more equitable world.

“In photojournalism, while technological advancements have provided sophisticated tools for capturing images, it is ultimately the photographer's emotional intelligence that serves as the most powerful technology,” Sinis said.

She emphasized that this ability to sense and respond to emotions allows photojournalists to connect genuinely with their subjects, capturing moments that resonate and tell compelling stories.

Winning İstanbul Photo Awards brought her both joy and validation. “This recognition not only honors the stories of Afghan women but also amplifies their voices on a global platform,” she said.

“It reinforces my commitment to documenting their resilience and struggles, highlighting the importance of visual storytelling in fostering empathy and driving social change,” she added.

Sinis noted the contest’s prestige and global recognition, saying she applied to showcase her work internationally and contribute to visual storytelling.

She described the streamlined application process and overall experience as “very positive,” reflecting the Anadolu team’s professionalism in organizing “such a significant event for photojournalists worldwide.”

İstanbul Photo Awards has become a cornerstone of global photojournalism, celebrating the art of visual storytelling while shedding light on critical issues worldwide.

This year’s İstanbul Photo Awards contest is supported by Turkcell as the communication sponsor, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) as the overseas event sponsor, and Turkish Airlines as the airline sponsor.

More information on the winning photographs and jury members can be found at istanbulphotoawards.com​​​​​​​