A look at our past winners

From prolific freelancers to passionate hobbyists to international superstars, all these photographers share a story of how the Head On Photo Awards strengthened their passion for photography and set them on a new path!

Want to join their ranks? The Head On Photo Awards 2024 entries open soon. Find out more!

Fiona Wolf

German-born photographer Fiona Wolf made Sydney her home in 2005. Since then, she has become a prolific photography-based practitioner, winning several accolades and tutoring other photographers.

“My first Head On win in 2010 got me set up with the gear that I needed to start shooting professionally. It also gave me the confidence to believe in my style. Although it might not always be what the mainstream is after.

“The second win at Head On Photo Awards in 2020 was so uplifting in very dire times during the pandemic. A lot of freelance photographers went through tough times. Now, I like focusing on passion projects and taking things as they come. I am still shooting commercially and things are starting to balance out.”

Roger Grasas

Travel is at the core of Spanish-born photographer Roger Grasas’ practice. He has become internationally recognised for capturing nature-culture dichotomies in stunning clarity.

“The participation in the Head On Photo Awards and the Festival connected me with some relevant names (authors, curators, etc.) from the Asian Pacific area and, above all, strengthened my later presence in European festivals and photography fairs such as PhotoEspaña, Rencontres d’Arles, Cortona on the Move, PhotoLondon etc.

“The Awards gave me great self-confidence which continued with my following series ‘Ha Aretz’ which has just been published by Kehrer Verlag obtaining even better recognition than the previous work. Thank You Head On!

Roger Grasas also went on to be a Featured exhibitor in Head On Photo Festival 2021 – we are beyond pleased to continue our collaboration with this talented photographer.

Molly Harris is an award winning Australian documentary photographer. She uses her photography as a platform to help people tell their story, and since winning the top award in the Head On Portrait category, Molly has continued to use photography to advocate for marginalised communities.

Since their win, Molly has been covered by publications like Buzzfeed and Vice Australia, focussing on her illuminating and empathetic work with transgender people, sex workers and people experiencing heroin addiction.

Molly has used her win at the Head On Photo Awards as a springboard to continure making projects that support and explore people in need.

Stephen Dupont

Stephen Dupont is an Australian photographer and director working on films, commercials, magazine and newspaper assignments and long-term personal projects, and his profile has only skyrocketed since his three Head On Photo Awards wins! 

Stephen Dupont has earned international acclaim for his work documenting people, cultures and environments fast disappearing from our world. Stephen captures the dignity of his subjects with great intimacy. Working in some of the world’s most dangerous and remote regions, his images contain valuable insight into marginalised people, fragile communities and devastated environments. 

Stephen’s work has earned him photography’s most prestigious prizes. He has held major exhibitions globally, and his artist books are held in distinguished collections worldwide. A leading portrait photographer, Stephen is regularly commissioned by renowned international publications and organisations. But perhaps what best speaks to his success, is his one-man theatrical show Don’t Look Away (2017) which tell the story ofhis dynamic career, personal story and his unique practice, which premiered at the Museum of Old & New Art (MONA). 

Marcia Macmillan

Marcia Macmillan is a burgeoning photographic talent. Now based in South Australia, Marcia has a natural tact for capturing the Australian landscape. 

“Winning the Landscape Award in 2020 has had an extraordinary impact on my life. I could never have imagined the global reach the win would have, or the ongoing attention the image would receive. The image has been featured in a range of exhibitions, academic journals and articles around the world, which has allowed me to meet some of the most interesting and talented people in their industries.   

Prior to my Head On win, I did not own a decent camera, so more than anything, I am loving my Sony Alpha and experimenting with a range of photographic techniques.   

My life took an unexpected turn mid last year when my husband was offered a job to manage a progressive sheep and cattle farm in the Fleurieu Peninsula, SA. Here, the terrain is rugged, wild and ever-changing, and is serving as a perfect and spectacular backdrop for my photography. When our family has settled into this next chapter of our lives, I would like to pursue a more creative avenue of work, including a more focused approach to my photography.   

I am eternally grateful to The Head On Photo Awards for the exceptional work they do. I also love the organisation’s philosophy; one which enables all people to submit their work to a panel of judges who select winning images based on photographic merit rather than reputation – this is incredibly rare, and provides unknown artists with life-changing opportunities and industry recognition.” 

Brian Cassey

Brian has worked as a freelance photographer and photojournalist for several decades, servicing Australian & international news media and wires. His work has been published extensively around the world.

Since his win in 2013, Brian has exhibited and collaborated with Head On continuously and fruitfully throughout the years. Most recently with his fabulous exhibition (Selections from) A photographer’s life – part two as part of the Featured program of Head On Photo Festival 2022. A photographer’s life – part two is a retorspective of the amazing lives and stories he has witnessed through his prolific career in photojournalism, a follow up to his previous Head On Exhibition in 2016 A photographer’s life – part one. Part two, exemplifies Brian’s professional success as this iteration of his personal work depicts far more personal projects he was able to undertake.

Tobias Titz

Tobias Titz is a freelance photographer based in Melbourne, Australia. Over the last ten years, he has worked for a range of local and international magazines and commercial clients.

“Plenty has happened! I got married we had a baby, moved house and still taking photos. I also started teaching Photography part-time at Monash University. 

“Working with First Nations communities and Art Centres is still my favourite – a trip to the Tiwi Islands for the National Gallery of Victoria in 2019 was a highlight.  

“Since I won the Head On in 2008 I have been a finalist in national and international Photography Awards and have won the Moran Contemporary Photography Prize in 2012 and the Art Handler Award at the National Portrait Prize in 2017.” 

Aletheia Casey

Aletheia is a photographic artist based between Sydney and London. During the last 12 years she has published and worked with The Guardian, The Sunday Times Magazine, The Financial Times Magazine, BBC London and BBC World, Australian Associated Press, BBC Wales, SBS Television, and various international publications.

Aletheia’s unique photographic perspective won her the Head On Landscape Award in 2021. Since then Aletheia was named one of the ’31 photographers to watch’ by the British Journal of Photography and she took home the gold in the Australian Photography Awards in the Environmental Category in 2022. Aletheia’s Head On win has made the world take notice!

Ready to start your journey? Find out more about the Head On Photo Awards today!