“In this year of unprecedented struggle, the message of hope, courage, reflection and resilience is now more important than ever.”

I’m very pleased and proud to have been shortlisted for the British Journal of Photography‘s Portrait of Humanity Award for this portrait of girls from London’s Womanhood Academy. Run by a passionate collective of volunteers all of African descent, the Womanhood Academy is a community youth group supporting the personal growth and empowerment of young women and girls. Their motto, Nurture A Girl, Raise A Nation.

Massive thanks to Peaches Cadogan and team at Womanhood Academy, and Aundrieux Sankofa and team at Manhood Academy, it was an absolute pleasure spending time with you all. Thanks also to the great editorial team : writer Sheryl Garratt, art director Jo Bell, photography assistant Julie Stewart, and the team at Perfect Bound magazine.

All shortlisted images will be featured in the accompanying book Portrait of Humanity Vol 3 published by Hoxton Mini Press. The judging panel were Kerri McDonald, picture editor New York Times; Sunyoung Kim, curator Museum of Photography, Seoul; Michael Weir, creative producer Belfast Photo Fest; Akinbode Akinbiyi, curator & photographer; and Elias Redstone, artistic director PHOTO 2021, Melbourne.

Photography copyright Wendy Carrig ©2018 All Rights Reserved