Telling Powerful Stories Through Food
The World Food Photography Awards are more than a celebration of food—they’re a celebration of humanity. Founded in 2011 by Caroline Kenyon and a small dedicated team, the awards (formerly Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year) have grown into the most respected platform for food-focused storytelling, receiving over 100,000 entries from nearly 100 countries.
As Caroline beautifully puts it: “Our goal is to bring global food narratives to life: whether the beauty or the drama of food, feast or famine, weddings or food aid. Food is the great leveller, the great unifier and photography captures this so powerfully.”
This year, I was deeply honoured to be named a finalist in the Unearthed category and awarded 2nd place—with my three documentary images displayed at the stunning finalist gallery in Pall Mall, London.
This year, I had the immense honour of having three of my images selected as finalists in the Unearthed category, exhibited at the stunning finalist gallery in Pall Mall, London—and to top it off, I was awarded 2nd place.
Each image was a quiet story in itself.
World Food Photography Awards. My Finalist Images
📍 In Nagaland, I photographed a group of children huddled near an open fire, warmth shared between siblings as food simmered beside them. It’s a scene of resilience, intimacy, and routine survival—moments we often overlook.
📍 In the Kolkata vegetable market, I captured a still, almost biblical portrait of local men mid-morning – among sacks of potatoes, papayas, newspapers, and conversation. It’s a portrait of life, trade, and dignity in the everyday.
📍 And finally, the coastal fish market in Visakhapatnam buzzing with women selling fish to the highest bidders It’s fast, chaotic, and vibrant – a feast of colour and character. This Image was placed 2nd in Unearthed World Food Photographer of The Year
These aren’t just images of food. They’re windows into lives and livelihoods. Into culture, tradition, and the unshakable bond between people and the meals they create, sell, and share.
To have these moments recognised on a world stage was incredibly humbling.
You can explore the full finalists’ gallery here:
👉 Finalists Gallery 2025
Photography gives food a voice. And food, in turn, connects us all.
A Few Pictures from the evening
My other entries that didn’t make the World Food Photography Awards final
More of Mark’s Work
Dementia https://www.markseymourphotography.co.uk/journal/dementia-ronnies-story/
Wedding Fellowship https://www.markseymourphotography.co.uk/journal/best-wedding-photography/
The National Portrait Gallery / Jimmy Choo / https://www.markseymourphotography.co.uk/journal/jimmy-choo-photograph/
Kolkata https://www.markseymourphotography.co.uk/gallery/kolkata-street-photography/
