Kuala Lumpur Photography Award - Street Photography Portrait Prize

• KLPA

• Deadline: March 30th, 2025

• Prize: $2,000 + Residency + Exhibition in Malaysia

• Theme: Portraits from the Streets

• Entry Fees: Yes (Free for Students)

• REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE

The 2024 competition spotlighted the art of staged portraiture, providing a platform for photographers to explore the depths of meaning that carefully composed images can convey. Our judges were treated to a remarkable array of portraits that redefined what the genre could achieve, blending technical precision with profound storytelling. Now, as we move into 2025, the Open Call shifts gears to focus on the raw, dynamic, and unpredictable domain of street portraiture. Unlike staged work, street photography thrives on serendipity. It captures the fleeting, unscripted interactions of everyday life, presenting a unique challenge for photographers who must approach strangers with confidence and a creative vision to produce authentic and engaging portraits.

This year’s theme, CRITICAL EYE, invites photographers to refine their observational skills, approaching the street with curiosity and precision. Street portraiture is an art form that juxtaposes casual spontaneity with intricate artistry. It’s about seizing the moment and transforming an ordinary encounter into an extraordinary photograph. Though it may lack the controlled environment of the studio, street portraiture is no less demanding or rewarding. It invites you to break free from conventions and follow your instincts, capturing moments that are as unpredictable as they are powerful. We encourage participants to embrace the lack of rules, use every corner of the street as their canvas, and deliver portraits that speak volumes—images that are strong, evocative, and timeless.