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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

Oaklan, 2024

Kristian Taylor-Wood

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2025 Finalist

type C photograph on paper (image: 83.0cm x 58.2cm. sheet: 59.0cm x 42.0cm. frame: 101.0cm x 75.2cm)
Oaklan, 2024

‘Oaklan’s story is extraordinary. Diagnosed with a rare disease affecting fewer than 500 boys worldwide, he’s faced more in his young life than most could imagine. At four, he underwent a bone marrow transplant, losing his hair to chemo – but then his mighty mullet was born. His journey includes countless life-saving surgeries, including a full spinal fusion last year, where his surgeon ensured his iconic hairstyle stayed intact. Though his school recently made him cut the mullet, his spirit remains unshaken. Oaklan is a walking miracle and a true Aussie legend.’

Kristian Taylor-Wood is a London-born photographer, director and writer based on Gadigal land/Sydney whose portraits focus on unconventional and thought-provoking storytelling.

People's Choice Award

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2025

The People’s Choice Award is generously supported by the Calvert-Jones Foundation, with the artist who wins the most votes receiving $10,000.

Voting closes Sunday 28 September 2025.

Submit vote

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2025
(More information, View all 48 photos)

Hands
Brandon with light
Shorty
Britney and Kayleb

Related information

Oaklan, 2024 Kristian Taylor-Wood
Oaklan, 2024 Kristian Taylor-Wood
Oaklan, 2024 Kristian Taylor-Wood
Oaklan, 2024 Kristian Taylor-Wood

Power of Portrait Photography

Visual Arts (upper primary)

9:15am, 2:00pm, Thu 11 Sep – Thu 25 Sep

Join us for an engaging and interactive program tailored for upper primary students, where they will build critical thinking skills to interpret photographic portraits.
Untitled #01 (from the series Code Black/Riot), 2024 Hoda Afshar
Untitled #01 (from the series Code Black/Riot), 2024 Hoda Afshar
Untitled #01 (from the series Code Black/Riot), 2024 Hoda Afshar
Untitled #01 (from the series Code Black/Riot), 2024 Hoda Afshar

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2025

Current exhibition

from Saturday 16 August

The NPPP is an annual prize for Australian photographers. The year’s most outstanding photographic portrait is awarded a $30,000 cash prize and photographic equipment valued at $20,000 courtesy of our Imaging Partner, Canon Australia.
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance

The Gallery

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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

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