Introduction to POY Latam

1. What is POY Latam?

POY Latam (Pictures of the Year Latin America) is the most prestigious documentary and artistic photography contest in Ibero-America. It was created in 2011 by Ecuadorian photographer Pablo Corral Vega and American academic Loup Langton, inspired by the historic Pictures of the Year International (POYi) contest, founded in 1944 by the School of Journalism at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Since its inception, POY Latam has grown into a key platform that celebrates and amplifies the work of photographers and visual storytellers from Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain, and Portugal. The most recent edition (2023) received nearly 70,000 images from over 1,500 photographers, and more than 30,000 people followed the judging process live—highlighting its regional and international impact.

The organization is led by Pablo Corral Vega, a renowned Ecuadorian photojournalist, and supported by an Advisory Council composed of respected professionals: Gael Almeida (MEX), Angela Berlinde (POR), Maíra C. Gamarra (BRA), Manuel Ortiz (MEX), Yinna Higuera (COL), Gisela Volá (ARG), and Tiago Santana (BRA).

2. Our Mission

POY Latam’s mission is to support and connect visual storytellers across Ibero-America, promoting excellence in documentary and artistic photography. We work to strengthen communities through art and journalism, highlighting cultural diversity and raising critical awareness of the social, environmental, and human challenges our region faces. We are committed to transparency, respect for human dignity, and the promotion of authentic and diverse narratives.

3. Our Vision

We aim to establish POY Latam as the primary reference for documentary and artistic photography in Ibero-America, recognized internationally for its ethical integrity, narrative quality, and commitment to the most pressing contemporary issues. We seek to be an innovative, inclusive, and dynamic space that inspires both emerging and established photographers, fostering critical reflection on society and its challenges through the photographic image and its immense communicative and transformative power.

4. The Biennial Contest

POY Latam is held every two years, traditionally hosted in different Ibero-American cities, although since 2021 it has been held virtually. Since its first edition, POY Latam has provided open and transparent judging sessions, broadcast live to the general public.

The live-streamed judging process is one of POY Latam’s most distinctive features. Unlike other international competitions, our judging is fully open and transparent, allowing the public to witness and understand how jurors make their decisions. This approach not only promotes accountability but also enhances the contest’s educational value, offering emerging photographers and visual creators the opportunity to learn in real time about ethical standards, narrative criteria, and the elements that constitute a strong image. In this way, POY Latam directly impacts the next generation of photographers and visual artists, strengthening technical and conceptual skills throughout the region.

5. Contest Categories

Classic Categories

These categories uphold the highest ethical and documentary standards:

  • Daily Life (single and story)
  • News (single and story)
  • Human Rights (story)
  • Portrait (story)
  • Sports (story)
  • Latin American Photojournalists Abroad (story)
  • Photojournalist of the Year (portfolio)

Open Categories

These categories allow greater artistic and conceptual experimentation, including the use of digital techniques when conceptually justified:

  • Our Gaze (story)
  • Long-Term Projects (story)
  • Reimagining the Archive (story)
  • New Talents (story)
  • Environment – Carolina Hidalgo Vivar Award (story)
  • Identity and Gender (story)
  • Transmedia (short films)
  • Photobooks

6. Educational and Cultural Activities

In addition to the contest, POY Latam offers a continuous educational and training agenda, including:

  • Specialized workshops and seminars with international experts
  • Physical and virtual exhibitions of winning work
  • Specialized publications and catalogs
  • Forums, talks, and gatherings to foster exchange between emerging and established professionals

7. Impact and Recognition

POY Latam has gained international recognition for its contribution to the development of Ibero-American photojournalism. Major media outlets such as The New York Times and Al Jazeera have highlighted its essential role in promoting narratives from within the region—free from external stereotypes—by amplifying diverse local perspectives with a focus on fundamental issues such as human rights, the environment, and cultural and social diversity.

8. Our Commitment to Key Themes

Since its founding, POY Latam has remained deeply committed to the following core issues:

  • Democracy and institutional strengthening
  • Human rights and social justice
  • Identity and representation
  • Gender equality and diversity
  • Environmental protection and awareness

9. Call for Support and Collaboration

To sustain and expand our impact, we invite institutions, partners, and sponsors committed to promoting culture, education, and social responsibility to join POY Latam. Collaboration opportunities include:

  • Direct funding or sponsorship of the contest
  • Support for educational, cultural, and outreach activities
  • Partnerships to help promote award-winning projects internationally

Your support is essential to ensure that POY Latam remains an influential platform that inspires, educates, and drives social awareness.

Contact – POY Latam

Email: pablocorralvega@gmail.com

WhatsApp/Phone: +593 98728 8705

Website: https://poylatam.org

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