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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.

Past, PRESENT, Future, 2024

Sean Kinchela

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2025 Finalist

pigment photographic print on paper (image: 83.2cm x 58.5cm. sheet: 118.0cm x 84.0cm. frame: 86.8cm x 62.0cm depth 3.8cm)
Past, PRESENT, Future, 2024

‘The model Nakia is a proud Yuin and Gamilaroi woman, and also my partner. We planned for this shoot for a while to ensure everything was perfect. In tribute to Nakia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, she wears a native floral headpiece I made for the photoshoot and a raffia skirt made by her mother. Nakia and I are both proud of our Indigenous heritage and often find it difficult to find balance between our culture and the modern world. We are both healthworkers trying to make a difference for our people.’

Sean Kinchela is a Gamilaroi and Wiradjuri man based on Yuin Country/Bodalla, New South Wales. His photography is influenced by his culture and the stories that come from the oceans, mountains, skies and land.

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)

The maws — of emptiness
Grace Tame – Between the Sea and the Sky
Artist Thom Roberts
Eldest daughter's freedom

Related information

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

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Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
Phone +61 2 6102 7000
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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.

This website comprises and contains copyrighted materials and works. Copyright in all materials and/or works comprising or contained within this website remains with the National Portrait Gallery and other copyright owners as specified.

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