We are pleased to announce that Washington Post photojournalists Salwan Georges and Matt McClain have been honored by the 2023 Siena International Photo Awards. The annual awards, presented by the nonprofit Art Photo Travel, are aimed at promoting art and culture globally to “support the understanding of places, of populations and of people.”
Salwan was awarded photo of the year for his emotive work titled “Georgy,” which features a man bidding his family farewell at a train station in Odessa, Ukraine, on March 5, 2022. It was selected as the winning photo among videos and images submitted by photographers from 154 countries.
In its acknowledgment, Art Photo Travel writes, “Salwan Georges, with his exceptional skills as a photographer-journalist, beautifully captures the heart-wrenching essence of the conflict, as a mother and daughter confront the bewildering fear of leaving behind their husband and father to seek refuge in safer surroundings. Simultaneously, the profound sorrow and trepidation of a father forced to part ways with his loved ones while staying to defend his homeland becomes unmistakably evident.”
Matt took first place in the Fascinating Faces and Characters category for his work titled “Shooting Range Participant.” Art Photo Travel says it “seizes the viewer’s attention,” adding that Matt “skillfully captures a compelling moment as two children, aged 10 and 5, engage in a gun safety course at a shooting range in Maryland.”
Please join us in congratulating Salwan and Matt on this well-deserved recognition.
