A Johannesburg schoolboy, a California surfer with his girlfriend and a group of Israel Orthodox Jews have been shortlisted for the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2016, one the most prestigious photography awards in the world. Organised by the National Portrait Gallery, the award aims to showcase new work submitted by contemporary photographers and is judged anonymously. Recognising the popularity of alternative processes among contemporary photographers, this year the competition was widened to include photographs produced on supports other than paper.

Taylor Wessing Photographic Prize 2016
Taylor Wessing Photographic Prize 2016
Tilly and Itty, Beitar Illit (L), Shimi, Beitar Illit by Kovi Konowiecki  (Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize)

Three photographers have been shortlisted. Photographs of a group of Israeli Orthodox Jews are by Kovi Konowiecki; a Johannesburg school boy is by Claudio Rasano and a Californian surfer and his girlfriend is by Joni Sternbach.

The prize-winning photographs and those selected for inclusion in the exhibition were chosen from 4,303 submissions entered by 1,842 photographers from 61 countries. The exhibition will be showing a total of 58 portraits from 43 artists. The exhibition runs from 17 November 2016 – 26 February 2017 at the National Portrait Gallery in London. IBTimesUK presents some of the photographs that will be on exhibition:

Taylor Wessing Photographic Prize 2016
Katlehong Matsenen by Claudio Rasano Claudio Rasano/ Taylor Wessing Photohgraphic Portrait Prize
Taylor Wessing Photographic Prize 2016
Thea and Maxwell by Joni Sternbach Joni Sternbach/ Taylor Wessing Photohgraphic Portrait Prize
Taylor Wessing Photographic Prize 2016
Nakisha by Tamara Dean Tamara Dean/ Taylor Wessing Photohgraphic Portrait Prize
Taylor Wessing Photographic Prize 2016
Leitah by Julia Gunther Julia Gunther/ Taylor Wessing Photohgraphic Portrait Prize
Taylor Wessing Photographic Prize 2016
Seye, Miah, Elijah and Alexander by Sarah Lee Sarah Lee / Taylor Wessing Photohgraphic Portrait Prize
Taylor Wessing Photographic Prize 2016
Jon McCrea by Phil Sharp Phil Sharp/ Taylor Wessing Photohgraphic Portrait Prize
Taylor Wessing Photographic Prize 2016
Epona, Nursing in the Meat Shed by Matt Hamon Matt Hamon/ Taylor Wessing Photohgraphic Portrait Prize
Taylor Wessing Photographic Prize 2016
Maria by Kelvin Murray Kelvin Murray/ Taylor Wessing Photohgraphic Portrait Prize
Taylor Wessing Photographic Prize 2016
Martha by Sian Davey Sian Davey/ Taylor Wessing Photohgraphic Portrait Prize
Taylor Wessing Photographic Prize 2016
Anargul by Jon Prosser Jon Prosser/ Taylor Wessing Photohgraphic Portrait Prize
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