Kate Middleton and National Portrait Gallery launch Hold Still lockdown photo project

The National Portrait Gallery in London has launched 'Hold Still', a community photography project capturing life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Founded in 1856, the institution aims to document the unprecedented historical moment through an open call for submissions. The project emphasizes communal sharing of hopes, fears, and gratitude for frontline workers. Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, serves as patron; she studied art history and is a gallery patron, also honored by the Royal Photographic Society for her family portraits. The open call runs until June 18, 2020, with three categories: 'Helpers and Heroes', 'Your New Normal', and 'Acts of Kindness'. A hundred portraits will be featured in a virtual exhibition on the gallery's website, with a selection displayed across the UK throughout the year. Selection criteria prioritize emotional impact, subject experience, technical skill, and photo quality.