'Grandmothers At 30' Wins Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award 2023

© Ana Maria Arévalo Gosen

Nikon is pleased to announce that photographer and visual storyteller, Ana Maria Arévalo Gosen, has been awarded the prestigious Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award 2023 for her photo essay, Grandmothers at 30.

Ana’s eye-opening work highlights teenage pregnancy in her home country, Venezuela, through a series of portraits of young women with their families, providing a visual documentation of the harsh realities they are faced with, and the organisations trying to help them.

Venezuela currently faces the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in South America, exacerbated by the 2015 economic collapse and mass parental migration. Despite these challenges, positive solutions have emerged, empowering young mothers and addressing the primary causes of these issues. Ana’s photo essay documents this, highlighting how NGOs such as the Niña Madre Foundation, who provide young parents with tools for responsible parenthood and sustainable living, are helping.  

The Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award of £2500, supported by Nikon UK and facilitated by FotoDocument, is granted annually to a professional female photographer on the completion of a compelling and cohesive documentary photo essay, which addresses an important social, environmental, economic, or cultural issue. Nikon’s sponsorship enables these female photographers to create emotional and honest narratives – helping to drive much-needed social change.  

Submissions to the Marilyn Stafford Award were reviewed by an international panel, with award-winning photojournalist and Nikon Ambassador, Andrea Bruce, among the selected judges. The projects considered for this reputable prize were required to showcase positive solutions to any issues they raise, in order to contribute to constructive photojournalism – in line with the wishes of Marilyn Stafford (1927-2023).

Julian Harvie, Marketing Director, Nikon Northern Europe, says: “We are thrilled that Ana has been selected as the winner of this year’s Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award. Unearthing these poignant narratives for the women in Venezuela demands creativity, courage, and passion – epitomising everything that Marilyn believed in, and that Nikon has sought to empower for more than 100 years. Ana’s ground-breaking work is a beacon of Marilyn’s legacy, reminding us all of the truly powerful role photography can play in changing our perspective on the world – a role Nikon is honoured to support through this award.” 

Collaborating with organisations and doctors, Ana will use the Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award to continue documenting these kinds of initiatives, to help prevent repeat teenage pregnancies and provide education on sexual and reproductive health.

Ana Maria Arévalo Gosen says: “I am deeply grateful for the honour of receiving the Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award 2023. This prize is genuinely unique, extraordinary, and unusual because it emphasises the importance of showing positive initiatives and inspiring change through photography. As a Venezuelan, I am deeply motivated to document the solutions implemented by organisations working to prevent teenage pregnancy in my country. The award will help me raise awareness, foster safer environments for sexual and reproductive education, and contribute to a brighter future for Venezuela’s next generation. Thank you to the jurors, and congratulations to all of the shortlisted artists!”

Nina Emett, FotoDocument founder, Curator, Photographer says: “The entries for the Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award 2023 were particularly diverse and of a very high standard. The process has also been especially moving in the year of Marilyn’s death. Knowing we can continue her legacy by creating impact with this Award, thanks to the support we receive from Nikon Europe, is heartening. Ana Maria Arévalo Gosen is a very worthy recipient of this year’s award with her tender and intimate portrayal of teenagers in Venezuela dealing with

pregnancy, and we look forward to watching how she will expand on documenting local solutions to deal with this complex and emotive issue. We hope each of the photographers receiving an Honourable Mention by the judges will feel both recognised and encouraged for their incredible work.” 

A wider range of images can be found on the competition’s website.