Portrait of Humanity: 200 Photographs that Celebrate Global Unity

We all experience hardships. Too often, we keep them to ourselves and face them on our own. Sharing stories, whether it be our battles or victories, gives great power not only to ourselves, but to people around us. Storytelling can help us rise above challenges, build bridges that inspire change and contribute to the power of society. It allows us to understand, relate and connect to each other; to celebrate everything we share as human beings. 

That is exactly what ‘Portrait of Humanity’ movement stand for. They’re a movement that provides photographers around the world with the opportunity of exploring the many faces of humanity through visual storytelling. The photo contest was initiated by 1854 Media, publisher of The British Journal of Photography. In total, 200 photographs have been shortlisted and the 100 winning images will be announced in September. The shortlisted photographers represent 36 countries, including four from Denmark. The Danish representatives, Ken Kermann, Marie Hald, Denisse Ariana Pérez and Matt Burgess, touch upon important societal matters and cultural elements, shedding light on lives around the world.  

‘Marte, Fat Activist in Her Apartment’ by Marie Hald

Marie Hald is a Danish photographer, who in her work explores women, their relationship to beauty and the female body. The picture is a part of the photo series “I am fat” and tells the story of Marte, a 31-year-old Norwegian fat activist. After discovering body activism and fat positivity, Marte found herself enjoying life again, allowing herself to be exactly who she is after years of being characterized by diets, attempts to lose weight and “take up less space”.  

Hald captures the unfiltered beauty of her subject in an aesthetic and powerful way. Through the photo series, she gives a voice to women that are forging change in a society, where body shaming and discrimination towards overweight people is a grim reality. It challenges the viewers to think differently about themselves and others, to look beyond appearances, accepting and celebrating people as they are. 

Read more about Hald and her work here.

‘The Last Bang Bang Men’ by Ken Hermann   

Ken Hermann is a Danish photographer, who tells the story of the last Bang Bang men from Chongqing, China, whose livelihood involves carrying goods from the harbour to both homes and businesses. The man in the photograph is the 60-year-old Rao Gang, who has worked as a Bang Bang man for 31 years.

Equipped solely with a bamboo pole, the Bang Bang men carry up to 80kg of weight on their shoulders, often for long distances that involve steep hills and staircases. The photograph gives an insight into a world that is unknown to many, particularly in the Western world where modern technology and transportation are of common standards. For the last years, the Bang Bang men have had to face the harsh reality that the importance of their work is gradually diminishing due to modernization. Through his photo series, Hermann masterfully tells a tale of a fascinating tradition, hard work and human strength. As time will go by, his photographs will serve as a historical reference of this inspiring element of the Chongqing culture.  

Read more about Hermann and his work here.

‘International Albinism Day’ by Denisse Ariana Pérez

Denisse Ariana Pérez is a Caribbean-born, Copenhagen-based photographer, author and copywriter. Her contest image was captured during the International Albinism Day in Dodoma, Tanzania, and is a part of the photo series “Girls”. Every year, the day is celebrated worldwide in order to raise awareness around albinism, a condition that is often met with stigma and discrimination of various forms. The photo portrays a girl, who attended the celebration together with her brother and grandfather. 

Pérez captures the girl’s beauty and childish innocence in a touching and pure way. Her work is authentic, emotionally evocative and an important reminder that our human differences are what makes us unique and interesting.  

Read more about Pérez and her work here.

‘Bailarina’ By Matt Burgess 

Matt Burgess is a British photographer, based in Denmark. His photograph was captured at the Escuela National de Ballet, one of the largest and most respected ballet schools in the world. Ever since 2016, Burgess has visited the school on occasions to photograph its students. What is interesting about Burgess’ picture is the fact that he approaches the subject of dance in an untraditional way.

While intensity, movement and action are usually components that characterize dance photography, Burgess was more interested in capturing the dancers alone, during more peaceful moments. The picture portrays a subtle contrast between the antique, yet charming architecture and the youthful girl. While the environment reflects the deeply rooted tradition of ballet in the Cuban culture, the girl represents the hard-working youth of this beautiful artform.  

 Read more about Burgess and his work here.

We were thrilled and moved by this beautiful initiative, especially at this moment in time where compassion, kindness and solidarity are human characteristics of huge importance. We encourage you to read more about the photo contest and its participants via the competition’s website, and if you want to have some of the entries for yourself, you can buy the ‘Portraits of Humanity: Volume 2’ book now.

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