Photographer Maria Abranches is among the regional winners of the World Press Photo (WPP) 2025, with her project ‘Maria’. She was recognized in the ‘Stories’ category, one of three featured in the European region.
Last year, on her social media accounts, Abranches described her work as telling “a story common to countless women, whose silent contributions have built, shaped, and sustained the world as we know it.” “Ana Maria was born in Angola, was brought to Portugal at the age of 9, and, in her words, spent her entire life cleaning,” Abranches wrote on Instagram.
The project portrays the story of Ana Maria Jeremias, who was trafficked from Angola to Portugal under “false promises of education” and ended up working for over 40 years. According to the WPP website, the “photographer aims to encourage reflection on privilege and honor her life (and that of so many women like her).”
The project was developed at Narrativa in Lisbon. During a photography program at the atelier, she started developing this project, which already won the ‘Cortona On The Move Award 2024’ and was a finalist for the ‘Prix Virginia 2024’, the ‘APhF Dummy Award’, and the ‘Blow Up Press Book Award.’
Maria Abranches also received an honorable mention at the New Talents Fnac 2024 and was awarded the LensCulture Emerging Talent Award 2024.
You can view all the project photographs here.
Abranches initially studied architecture but pursued a career in photojournalism. After working with Público, her work has been published in newspapers like the Guardian and by the news agency Reuters.
As noted on the World Press Photo organization’s website, “the jury found this project moving and deeply multifaceted. The photographer managed to establish a respectful connection with her subject, capturing different moments of her everyday life.”
“Through these intimate frames, the photographer highlights revealing details—symbolic reminders of the lingering consequences of Portugal’s colonial past. The work prompts reflection on how this history continues to shape current social structures,” they conclude.
The photography project was awarded in the ‘Stories’ category, along with two other projects. A total of 42 winners will be considered, from which the ‘Photo of the Year’ will be selected. The winner will be announced on April 17 and will receive photographic equipment and a monetary prize of ten thousand euros.
