Nathan Beard wins National Photographic Portrait Prize for intimate study of ageing

Nathan Beard, a photographer based in Melbourne, has been awarded the National Photographic Portrait Prize for his work titled 'Mae Khong' (2026), featuring his Thai-born aunty, Mae Khong, as she recovers from a fall. This accolade, presented by the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra, comes with a prize of $30,000 and $20,000 worth of Canon gear. Judges highlighted the portrait's emotional depth and closeness. Beard mentioned that his aunt is the last surviving member of her family’s generation. The exhibition is open until 11 October 2026. Additionally, Phuong Nguyen Le was honored with the First Time Finalist award, while Hussein Abdirahmad Mohamud received the Art Handlers Award. Paul Knight claimed the $40,000 National Photography Prize for his series 'Chamber Music' at MAMA, which will be on display until 22 November.