our international panel of judges

Below we’d like to introduce our international panel of judges hand selected to complete the task of reviewing and voting on the images submitted to the Photography Foundation Awards. Each of our judges are well respected adding their own style and view to the judging process.

The judging system is a strictly anonymous and independent. All the entrant’s details are removed from their images, and the judges are not able to see any information other than the image when reviewing and voting. This is critical to the independence of the awards. Judges vote and review independently to each other. We are proud of the panel of judges we have assembled and are pleased that your images can be seen and reviewed by such a well regarded panel.

  • Alixe Lay

    Photographer. Leica & Lightroom Ambassador

    Originally from Malaysia, Alixe Lay is London-based photographer whose work is primarily but not exclusively, interior. First discovered photography as a teenager documenting her friends and the Malaysian suburbs that she grew up in, she went on to obtain a doctorate in psychology at UCL, before venturing into a passionate career in photography capturing the elusive spirit of place across the world. Alixe’s work led her being commissioned by leading brands such as Aesop, Belmond, Dorchester Collection and Leica.

  • Bella Okuya

    Associate Director - The Photography Foundation

    Associate Director at The Photography Foundation, educator and visual artist. She is a Fulbright Alumni scholar with an MFA in Photography from The New School, Parsons School of Design

  • Brunel Johnson

    Documentary Photographer

    Brunel Johnson, a documentary photographer from Kilburn in North West London, spent the most part of his youth in various areas of the City. This includes places such as Ladbroke Grove, Whitechapel, Barking, Enfield and Shepherd’s Bush – a multitude of Boroughs and experiences that would instinctively go on to inform his outlook on life.

  • Chris Maas

    Photographer & Leica Ambassador

    Leica Ambassador and photographer from Luxembourg, based in London. Chris began his photography journey by documenting life on the road as a touring musician for many acts including multi-grammy award winners Mumford and Sons, becoming their first ever full-time touring drummer.

  • Dan Rubin

    Photographer & Leica Ambassador

    Dan is an award-winning designer, photographer, and creative director with over 25 years of global experience. Co-founder of New Style Publishing and Independent Codependency (ICd), he helps startups and established brands with design and strategy. Dan has spoken at SXSW, The Photography Show, and Mobile World Congress, and has worked on photographic commissions for prestigious clients including Alfa Romeo, Apple, Barbour, Land Rover, Leica, and Sony, among others.

  • Dom Graham-Hyde

    Co-Founder and Trustee of The Photography Foundation

    I'm an award winning photographer working in the film and photography industry for the last ten years, having shot for Ralph Lauren, Moet Chandon, BAFTA, Elton John’s Aids Foundation, as well as portraiture with images appearing on Vogue, The Independent, The Guardian, Metro and more. I am now combining that love and knowledge with profit-for-good projects, co-founding The Photography Foundation, supporting less advantaged young adults to get started in the industry.

  • Ellie Ramsden

    Photographer & 2021 Photography Foundation Grant Winner

    A photographic artist based in London, focussing on portrait and documentary photography due to her interests in human behaviour, interaction and communication. She chooses to work predominately with film processes for a slower and more thoughtful approach to her practice.

    Dividing her time between personal projects and taking on photographic commissions, Ellie’s work has been exhibited internationally, as well as being widely featured in the press. Her work is part of the Museum of Youth Culture’s permanent archive.”

  • Elsie Kibue-Ngare

    Professional Photographer

    Elsie Kibue-Ngare is a Kenyan-British photographer based in London, UK. Her focus is on portraiture, documentary-style photography, sports, and events. She has completed various assignments and her work has been published in numerous print and online publications, such as The BBC, The Scotsman, The Times, The Guardian, and Culture Trip, among others. In addition to her photography work, Elsie is a co-founder of The African Photobook and co-hosts the Photo Mama Podcast.

  • Enno Knuth

    Photographer & 2022 Photography Foundation Grant Winner

    Enno Knuth is a London based Photographer, living and working in North-West London.

    He’s shooting exclusively on film and his works are mainly centred around social issues, youth - and music culture - capturing the Zeitgeist of a generation.

  • Hayley Benoit

    Professional Photographer

    Hayley is an award-winning portrait, commercial, and editorial photographer based in London, UK. With a distinguished career in film and high-end TV (HETV) productions as a Gallery Photographer and Unit Stills Photographer, she has excelled both in front of and behind the lens. Her work has been exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery, and she has worked with prestigious clients such as Lucasfilm, Disney, Universal Pictures, The New York Times, The Telegraph, and the BBC, among others.

  • Mikael Johansson

    Co-Founder and Trustee of The Photography Foundation

    I’m the Trustee for three charities: LIMI London, a grant giving charity in North London, The Photography Foundation and JAMMA International who are focused on delivering impact at a global scale. Real Estate is my professional background and I spend my time between Real Estate and my Charity work.

  • Morgan Evans

    Photo Agent & Producer

    I’m a UK-based photographic agent and producer with 20 years of commercial experience, specializing in authentic storytelling and logistical solutions. Known for my calm approach and mentoring, I launched the Emerging Artist scheme to boost diversity, achieving a 50/50 gender split with new female photographers. This year, I was honored as AOP’s Woman of Influence 2024 for my mentoring efforts and community-building initiatives for under-represented photographers.

  • Sukhy Hullait

    Documentary Photographer

    Sukhy Hullait is an award winning, London based documentary photographer whose work focuses on themes of home, community, and country. Known for his empathetic storytelling, his projects like "Young Carers" and "All The Rage" explore the lives of marginalised individuals and communities. Through his lens, Sukhy reveals the resilience and complexities of contemporary life.

  • Theo McInnes

    Photographer & 2023 Foundation Grant Winner

    Theo McInnes (b.1992) is a London-based commercial and documentary photographer specializing in people and their interactions with the world. His work spans portraiture, documentary stories, and dynamic sporting events, with clients like Nike and On Running. Theo has won the Portrait of Britain prize (2019, 2020) and the Social Documentary Photography Award for Showland. Recently, he was nominated for Canon Sports Photographer of the Year, earning a Bronze medal for his Football Portfolio.

  • Yushy Pachnanda

    Professional Photographer

    Yushy is a maverick photographer who sees the world through a lens of pure creativity. Known for turning the mundane into the mesmerizing, Yushy's work pulses with energy and emotion, capturing the untold stories hidden in every scene. From gritty urban jungles to serene natural landscapes, Yushy’s photos are a blend of striking visuals and deep narrative, each shot bursting with life and intensity. Fearless in experimentation and relentless in the pursuit of perfection, Yushy is not just a photographer but a visual artist who consistently pushes the limits of what can be captured in a frame