EDITORS’ PICK
The Mirror
HUMANS
HUMANS EDITORS’ PICK
Following Bronwen Latimer’s selection of winning images for our recent Humans competition, this compilation of 20 images represents some of the other talented photographers whose work struck us and left a mark. Each a stunning image worthy of exposure and attention…
When selecting for editor’s picks we’re always searching for those striking photographs that make for an unforgettable single image, whether from a broader series or not. We enjoy the accompanying text some photographers submit with their images, and while not always necessary it can be relevant when understanding the work in full context.
These are intended to be a conversation starter… so feel free to join the discussion on our social networks.
BANNER IMAGE: MATTHIEU LATRY
This image highlights the photographer’s impressive storytelling skills and technical abilities. A simple yet effective composition, the photograph shines thanks to the use of color and light. More than anything else, it makes you wonder about the future, the past, and everything in between. It’s a beautiful metaphor for humankind’s evolution: a curious child, dreaming of stars and letting creativity fly loose. Well done! – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Under a deep night sky, a child looks up at a mysterious light suspended in the darkness. Their face is illuminated by a soft, almost living glow as if the light itself were watching, recognizing them. The moment feels frozen between dream and reality; a silent, intimate encounter between human innocence and the unknown from beyond. I used a drone with bright light to create this image.
BETTINA BRUNSWIG
With endless faces, emotions, reactions, and moods, humankind is a difficult species to comprehend. Here, the engaged, the avoidant, and the absent join forces and create a colorful landscape of human society. The shooting angle is to be commended not only because it makes the personas stand out but also because it blends the colors of the main subjects with the sky’s, creating an aesthetically pleasing image. – LIFE FRAMER
MARK HOLT-SHANNON
The long history of humanity and the long history of photography come together in this interesting image, emphasizing change as the only constant of our existence. The frame is well-constructed, beautifully lit, and evocative, leaving room for thought, inviting nostalgia, and creating a warm atmosphere. Whether one relates to the photographer or the subject, there is something to get from this image. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Daguerreotype.
TOMMY O’SULLIVAN
This fine art portrait invites the viewer into the world of metaphors, showing just another face of humanity. Imagination and idealization are attributes we are proud of, and how could we not? Just look at this image and admire the vibrant mix of colors, the ingenuity of shapes, the fluidity of the pose, the stripes of light and shadow, all put together by the human mind. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Harvest Moon. We all project our ideas onto one another, and often we project who we want to be to the world. I tried to merge those worlds into a single image: taking a break from reality and traveling into a world of pure light and color as it merges with the body.
MONÍK MOLINET
To use photography to create moments that never happened, and thus enrich a personal connection, is a very creative take on fine-art photography and a touching gesture, both very human characteristics. Its clear details and blurry walls are in perfect accordance with the message. This self-portrait is so good technically that it acts as a mirror, inviting the viewer to inner thought, remembrance, and meditation. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – This photograph belongs to the self-portrait series Borrowed Grandmothers and Grandfathers, in which I conducted a casting in Havana and selected nine actors and actresses. From within their own homes, I recreated scenes I wish I had experienced with my grandparents.
FRANZISKA LINK
Humans are fascinating subjects, no doubt about it. It’s a privilege for the viewer to witness such a unique and impressive subject, and we should be grateful to the photographer for presenting it to us. Furthermore, we should be grateful for the gentle way the photographer understood to capture it, leaving all professional embellishments aside and simply listening with an open heart. The light and colors of this shot are proof of the photographer’s sensible approach. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Life in the jungle on the Mentawaii Islands, Indonesia moves differently. You wake up with the mist rising off the river, birds calling like they’re announcing the day just for you. No alarms, no rush. Almost without noticing, I found myself syncing back with the forest’s rhythm like my body remembered something my mind had forgotten. A kind of remembering that doesn’t come from thought, but from presence.
As a human, it felt like coming home. One morning, I followed a group of Sikkerei, the Mentawai shamans, deeper into the jungle to harvest Baiko, the inner bark of a tree used to make their traditional clothing. Every movement was intentional, every gesture connected to something older than all of us. There was no separation between work and ritual, between nature and culture – all part of the same pulse.
As a cinematographer, it was heaven. Light spilled through the canopy like liquid gold. Smoke from the fire curled and danced with the breeze. I kept my eyes and heart wide open to listen more closely to the jungle.
MARGAUX REVOL
Taking on a sensitive subject, this photograph conveys strong emotions in a very discreet and caring fashion. The composition evolves around the main subjects without disturbing their interaction. There is nothing harsh, forced, or imposed here, which shows the photographer’s gentleness and appreciation for the wonderful moment that happens in front of the lens. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – The Venus of Pain, from the series The Pain Fugue. This photo is part of a documentary portraits series of Augustine, a young woman with ravaging endometriosis–a chronic pain condition still invisible, overlooked and underdiagnosed. As endometriosis has been progressively limiting Augustine’s social life, her friends come to visit her more than she goes out. To capture that new reality, I shot this strange gathering.
Augustine rests at the center, flanked by two friends in quiet, watchful presence. She’s a Venus of Pain, holding her hot water bottle and trying to sit despite the agony of her endometriosis, but this Venus is not a celebration or a vision of idealised beauty — only the raw truth of pain and the sisterhood of witnessing and holding space for what can’t be fixed. A stillness that says, I believe you. I’m here.
IAN TORR
Graphical, abstract, and nonconformist, this photograph brings a breath of fresh air to wedding photography. Closer to fine art photography than to its commercial sister, the picture is whimsical and evocative, inviting the viewer into a world where order makes the rules. The composition is exquisitely curated to include exciting elements, such as reflections and a very vibrant patch of blue sky. Everything falls into place to create a memorable day. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – The Magnificent Seven. A groom and his groomsmen make their way to a reception in front of The Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, Canada.
JEREMY CAMUSET
This exceptionally well-timed snapshot captures the curious human nature, its remains of innocence and wonder, its innate joy of living. The playfulness of the scene is enhanced by the skewed composition, matching colors, and abolition of all rules. It works because it transports the viewer into a fantasy world where they are allowed to be children again. The story takes over the scene and fills our hearts with pure joy. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – This photograph was taken in 2025 on the island of Terceira in the Azores during the Sanjoaninas festival. I captured these men at the moment they were surprised by the launch of a firework signaling the end of the event.
THOMAS MOREL-FORT
Captured in the middle of the action, this photograph is a very good representation of what joy and celebration look like. The frame is filled with faces sharing the same emotion but featuring different expressions, and the viewer gets so close to them that they can almost hear their laughter. The shot is engaging in every way. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Teenagers celebrating the victory of the French football team.
TIANHU YUAN
It takes an attentive photographer to capture the joy in such a hard-working environment, to go beyond the surface and open the door for us to the inner universe of the subject. The colorful outfits contrasting the gray sky and net enhance the story. The straightforward composition is all this subject needs to shine proudly, transforming a portrait into an enjoyable encounter. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Fisherwomen. Traditional fisherwomen by the sea in Quanzhou, Fujian.
ALEISHA ZOUMARAS
The photographer built the entire composition around the main subject to make him stand out and reveal his impressive story, which is a smart and compassionate choice. The central position of the subject, the depth and colors of his workshop, and the profoundness of his art blend in smoothly to create a complete portrait of human existence. We are forever bound with art. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – In this portrait, Jose Garcia Antonio, an icon in the Oaxaca folk art scene, embodies the spirit of perseverance. Despite losing his sight to glaucoma at 55, now in his mid-70s, he continues to sculpt under the loving guidance of his wife, Teresita Mendoza Reyna Sanchez.
VILMA PAULIKAITĖ
Imagination may be the characteristic that best describes humans. We can’t do everything, but we can imagine it. This fine art portrait underlines the artful quality of photography and the limitless human creativity. It’s appealing, poetic, and sweet. It contradicts the rules of reality, which is even more appealing and intriguing. One just wants to look at it forever, experiencing the same joy and freedom as the model. – LIFE FRAMER
ROMAN MARQUEZ
Taken in low light to avoid disturbing the new mother and her baby, this photograph highlights the human capacity for love, care, and selflessness. Parenthood is one of the many human journeys, but one that requires an empathetic photographer more than anything else. It’s not easy to enter such an intimate space and capture its vulnerability and beauty in a sensitive and aesthetically pleasing manner. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – My partner breastfeeding our baby. It shows the exhaustion that brand new mothers go through in the selfless act of bringing up a new life. Motherhood is a journey full of sleepless nights.
JOHN BLAIS
This group portrait is full of energy, engaging, and vibrant. There is an undeniable rhythm to it, as if we can hear the background music or their voices. Well done for choosing this shooting angle that provides perspective, depth, and a lovely blue sky as background, and for allowing the models to pose freely and be themselves. It’s their story and should be all about them. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Car wash.
JUSTIN ROQUE
A glimpse into the chaos of human emotions, a fluid shot that speaks a thousand words. The shooting angle and the close perspective drag the viewer into the scene, making them witness the raw feelings and tense atmosphere. One can feel the heat, the energy, both the interior and the exterior hum. This is the power of photography, to transport the viewer into another universe and help them experience it as their own. – LIFE FRAMER
MAX STURGEON
Dealing with death is a universal subject, one that comes in many cultural forms. The photographer captured a moment of reunion when the living and the dead come together to celebrate life. It’s an emotional moment, and the photograph effectively captures its intensity by engaging with the subject rather than adhering to rules and techniques. The sea of faces speaks for itself and conveys a powerful message. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – From my ongoing series The Dead Don’t Die, shot in Mexico during the day of the dead festivities. Patzcuaro 2024.
ANDREA TORREI
Humanity is the sum of its individuals, not two of them alike, and it’s nice to be reminded of the small gestures, habits, and oddities that make each of us unique. This mundane picture is, therefore, mesmerizing because it encompasses something undoubtedly human, such as humor and useless activities we insist on doing every day for the sake of it. Icons on the walls, icons in the spotlight, a courageous composition that turned out very well. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Daily Ritual.
SAWYER ALCAZAR-HAGEN
Human inclination for performance, traditions, and spirituality is a rich and surprising subject matter for photography and a very appealing one. Moving from one element to another, taking in the desert’s colors, and becoming more curious as time goes by, the viewer engages with the image on more than one level. Excellent technical skills should be commended, as working with this particular type of light and colors is not an easy task. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Varanasi, India. December 2025. At dawn on the wide riverbed, a Baba sits cross-legged beside a resting camel, his skin dusted pale and his body draped in layers of beads, as horses thunder past across the sand. The rising sun hangs in the haze, the scene suspended between spectacle and stillness — a meeting of ceremony, performance, and movement in the soft light of morning.
GAETAN CAPUTO
By capturing the human expression in a moment of solitude and silence, the photographer invites us into a narrative that raises more questions than provides answers. Despite having only a few visual elements, the composition is impressive. Highlights and shadows blend in perfectly, the focal point is hard to forget, and the soft color palette adds to the atmosphere of the scene. A very poetic image. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Old train station in New Delhi. The journey often begins with waiting.
