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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.

Blue Tongue, 2025

Natalie Grono

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2025 Finalist

lambda photographic print on paper (image: 89.2cm x 76.6cm. sheet: 80.0cm x 70.0cm. frame: 102.4cm x 89.8cm)
Blue Tongue, 2025

‘This portrait of Annabelle and Dakota captures a crucial moment in their self-discovery – two tweens standing at the edge of adolescence, exploring and questioning their identities. It reflects the fragility and strength of their transformation as they navigate a world that sometimes demands they grow up too quickly. Through their expressions and presence, the photograph meditates on the delicate balance between innocence and maturity, as well as the quiet intensity of young people searching for their place in an ever-evolving world. It’s a visual exploration of the complexities of identity during a time of rapid change.’

Natalie Grono is a photo artist and filmmaker based in Nyangbul/Lennox Head, New South Wales. With a foundation in journalism, Grono is a passionate storyteller whose engaging style reveals the extraordinary in the everyday.

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)

William Barton x Yidaki
Amazine and Amaziah
Hope and fear
Muni

Other NPPP photos from Natalie Grono
(More information)

Tween Twilight, 2021 Natalie Grono
2022 Finalist
Sisters Isla and Elki role-play as princesses, 2015 by Natalie Grono
2016 Finalist
Feather and the Goddess Pool, 2014 by Natalie Grono
2015 People's Choice Award

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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