The inaugural Saltzman-Leibovitz Photography Prize, established by acclaimed photographer and philanthropist Lisa Saltzman in collaboration with iconic photographer Annie Leibovitz has announced its first-ever winner: Zélie Hallosserie, a talented 21-year-old French photographer whose compelling documentary work illuminates the urgent realities of migration and exile in northern France.
Currently completing her final year of photography studies in Belgium, Hallosserie’s artistic practice uses a compassionate yet incisive documentary approach. Her ongoing project, The Game, captures the personal journeys and stories of migrants in Calais, an often perilous final junction before reaching the United Kingdom.
For several years, Hallosserie has documented migrants from countries such as Iraq, Iran, Syria, Afghanistan, Sudan, and Eritrea who face constant dangers in their attempts to cross the Channel, risking their lives through unsafe boats and stowing away in trucks. Tragically, at least 72 people have died during these crossings since January 2024.
Since 2022, Hallosserie has engaged with a local shelter, providing temporary refuge for migrants, building genuine relationships, and offering photography workshops that empower residents to express their experiences creatively. Her approach challenges reductive media portrayals, restoring dignity and individuality to her subjects.
Photography allows me to defend subjects close to my heart, to create genuine connections, and to constantly challenge my own perspective,
says Hallosserie.
This recognition was unexpected, but I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity and visibility it brings to a cause and project that mean so much to me.
Selected by a distinguished panel comprising Drew Sawyer (Photography Curator, Whitney Museum of American Art), Isolde Brielmaier (Curator and Scholar), Kira Pollack (Freelance Photo Editor), and Raul Martinez (Creative Director, Vogue and Condé Nast), Hallosserie’s submission stood out for its profound humanity, emotional depth, and narrative strength.
The prize awards a total of $20,000, with Hallosserie receiving the first-place prize of $10,000. The shortlisted photographers were selected from participants in Annie Leibovitz’s mentorship program, part of her role as the first IKEA Artist in Residence. The other shortlisted photographers included Elena Kalinichenko (Ukraine), Ka’Vozia Glynn (UnitedStates), Praise Hassan (Nigeria), Toma Hurduc (Romania), and Trâm Nguyn Quang(Netherlands).
Hallosserie will continue developing The Game, integrating portraits, interviews, archival material, and studio imagery of migrants’ personal belongings alongside insights from community figures such as mayors, lawyers, and rescuers.
The Saltzman-Leibovitz Prize was founded by Lisa Saltzman through the Saltzman Family Foundation, established in honor of her late parents, Ralph and Muriel Saltzman. Lisa, a New York-based award-winning photographer and philanthropist, collaborates closely with Annie Leibovitz to support emerging photographic talents.
Zélie’s photography stands out for its ability to humanize complex social issues with sincerity and depth. Her sensitive approach not only highlights critical social issues but also connects viewers emotionally to the resilience and humanity of her subjects. Supporting artists like Zélie is precisely why we founded this prize.
Lisa Saltzman, Founder of the Saltzman-Leibovitz Prize
The shortlisted photographers’ work will be presented at Photo London, from 15th–18th May 2025 more details HERE
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