Open Call: Nikon Empowers Female Photographers with the 2025 Marilyn Stafford Fotoreportage Award
To mark International Women’s Day, today Nikon is delighted to announce the reopening of the prestigious Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award.
Facilitated by FotoDocument and sponsored by Nikon for the sixth consecutive year, the award empowers female photographers to create compelling photo essays that spotlight social, environmental, and cultural issues shaping our world.
Now in its ninth year, the international competition offers a £3,000 prize to support the completion of documentary projects that address important, often under-reported, global or local issues. This esteemed award will be granted to a female photographer who successfully highlights positive solutions to these challenges – a vision passionately shared with the late photojournalist, Marylin Stafford.
Submissions will be reviewed by a distinguished panel of experts, including internationally acclaimed photojournalists, such as Andrea Bruce, Donna de Cesare (Nikon Ambassador and Co-owner of NOOR Photo Agency), and 2022 award winner Natalya Saprunova. Marilyn Stafford’s daughter, Lina Clerke, will also be joining the panel as an honorary judge in memory of her late mother.
The deadline for entries is 17th April 2025, with the winner to be announced on 28th May 2025.
Julian Harvie, Marketing Director, Nikon Northern Europe, says: “We’re delighted to be supporting the Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award once again. Year after year, this award amplifies powerful stories realized through the lens of female photographers. Their perspective is invaluable, and it is an honour and a privilege to empower them and their work once again.”
Nina Emett, Director, FotoDocument, says: “It is with great pride that we announce the 9th year of the Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award, supported by Nikon, on this International Women’s Day. It is a time to celebrate and reward the brave and talented women photographers who bear witness to the world around them through their lens to bring attention to compelling, under-reported and impactful stories. We very much look forward to reviewing the entries which come from all over the world.”
Isabella Franceschini – Winner of the Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award 2024 says: “The Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award presented a unique opportunity to share my project with a wider international audience, promoting awareness and understanding of the importance of persevering delicate ecosystems like the Po Delta. Furthermore, the Award provided me with the necessary resources to continue documenting my work in this area and to produce a book that promotes sustainable development. Winning this Award was therefore an important step in advancing my commitment to environmental protection and the appreciation of an invaluable natural heritage.”
The competition is free to enter and open to female photographers of any nationality, at any stage in their career—emerging, mid-career, or established. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have previously completed at least one documentary photo essay to demonstrate their track record. Additionally, they are required to have already begun the project for which they are seeking funding and be able to show significant progress.
Submissions must be made exclusively through the online portal on the FotoDocument website. The overall winner will receive the £3,000 Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award and an exhibition at The Foundry – A Place for Change in London.
Nikon’s sponsorship of the Marilyn Stafford award exemplifies its continued commitment to foster female talent in the photography industry. To find out more visit www.europe-nikon.com
