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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.

Aitor, 2025

Luke Austin

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2026 Finalist

pigment photographic print (image: 95cm x 95cm. frame: 103.1cm x 103.1cm depth 4cm)
Aitor, 2025

‘This work is a portrait of my friend Aitor and is part of an ongoing series on connection within the queer community. I am an Australian photographer, Aitor is a Spanish painter, and we made this photograph in his bedroom in London. The image itself offers no explicit markers of place. Instead, we have an intimate shared moment shaped by transience, trust and the quiet negotiations of being elsewhere. I enjoy the ambiguity of the portraits in this series. Is this a moment of rest, after intimacy, or a quiet staging of solitude? That’s up to you.’

Los Angeles-based Australian photographer Luke Austin is known for his tender portraits of members of the gay, queer and trans community that reveal the sitter’s individuality in a moment of disarming connection.

People's Choice Award

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2026

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 Wednesday 30 September 2026.

Submit vote

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2026
(More information, View all 30 photos)

UNTITLED: 01
Leith at the Dog Show
The Falling
Walkabout

Other NPPP photos from Luke Austin
(More information)

Brandon with light, 2024 Luke Austin
2025 Finalist

Related information

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2025 exhibition display
National Photographic Portrait Prize 2025 exhibition display
National Photographic Portrait Prize 2025 exhibition display
National Photographic Portrait Prize 2025 exhibition display

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2026

Upcoming exhibition

from Saturday 22 August

The National Photographic Portrait Prize 2026 marks the end of one of the Gallery’s longest-running exhibitions.
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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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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