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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.

Brandon with light, 2024

Luke Austin

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2025 Finalist

gelatin silver photograph on paper (image: 25.5cm x 25.5cm. frame: 38.0cm x 38.0cm depth 3.5cm)
Brandon with light, 2024

‘This work is a portrait of my partner, Brandon Mathis, inside our Los Angeles studio. I printed the work myself in the darkroom. Brandon’s gaze, partially hidden by the fabric, along with the reaching hand and the rectangle of light that cuts right through him, creates a portrait that explores vulnerability, partnership dynamics and introspection. The fabric barrier becomes a metaphor for the complexities of relationships, knowing and unknowing, transparency and mystery. I also hope the viewer reflects on the delicate balance between exposure and privacy.’

Los Angeles-based Australian photographer Luke Austin creates intimate portraits of members of the LGBTQIA+ community that reveal his subject’s individuality in a moment of disarming contact.

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)

Shorty
Britney and Kayleb
Langi
Diamond in the sky

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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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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