The Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award 2021 has been won by Isadora Romero from Ecuador for her project Muyu Lab. This is a documentary series about the conservation of agrobiodiversity in Ecuador from a scientific and ancestral perspective and the positive impact for the environment and future generations.
Marcela Quintana is an undergraduate student doing her thesis on cedar research at the National Department of Plant Genetic Resources (DENAREF). Quito, Ecuador, 16 September 2020.
Romero, whose work focuses on human identities, gender, and environmental issues, has previously been recognised by Magnum Photos for her social justice photography.
Portrait of Juan Villarroel, assistant conservation technician of the National Department of Plant Genetic Resources of INIAP. Among many of his tasks is the categorization of seed samples and germplasm varieties that enter the department.
The Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award of £2000, facilitated by FotoDocument and supported by Nikon UK, is granted annually to a professional woman photographer towards the completion of a compelling and cohesive documentary photo essay, which addresses an important social, environmental, economic or cultural issue, whether local or global that has a focus on positive solutions.
Stafford, a veteran photojournalist and portrait photographer, received our Exceptional Achievement in Photography Award in 2019.
“I am very excited to receive this recognition,” added Isadora Romero. “It motivates me to continue to tell this story from the communities that fight against the loss of diversity and it allows me to give visibility to an issue that has been under-reported in the visual arts but that is urgent – not only because of what it means for our local communities but also for the future of humanity and the environment.” For more information and the Honourable Mentions, see https://fotodocument.org/fotoaward/
