Jury Panel
The Eyes Behind the Selection
At F/262, we believe every submission deserves thoughtful consideration. That’s why we’re assembling a diverse international jury made up of leading photographers, curators, editors, designers, and educators to review all entries for the F/262 Photography Award (Zé Award), the Photo Book Award, the NextGen Award, and the Curated Projects & Series selection.
Our juries bring together expertise from across photography, publishing, and visual storytelling to ensure a fair, inspiring, and multidimensional review process.
Why a Jury Matters
The jury plays a critical role in shaping the F/262 program. Through discussion, debate, and a shared commitment to photographic excellence, they help identify work that deserves wider recognition.
Selections are made based on:
Artistic and conceptual strength
Relevance to contemporary photography
Technical execution
Originality and voice
The ability to resonate with wider audiences
.
PHOTO BOOK AWARD JURY
The Photo Book Award Jury brings together experts in publishing, design, and visual storytelling to celebrate excellence in the art of the photographic book. Their insight bridges photography, editing, and design — honoring books that push creative and conceptual boundaries.
Jacqueline Tobin
AUTHOR & FORMER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, RANGEFINDER MAGAZINE
With over 35 years in the photo industry, she has held leadership roles at Photo District News and Rangefinder magazine, guiding its evolution from print to digital. She is also the author of Wedding Photography Unveiled and The Luminous Portrait.
João Agostinho
Design & Visual Identity — Photo Book Club Coordinator
Founder and Creative Director of JA Design Studio, João brings over a decade of experience in branding, design, and creative strategy. With studios in Caldas da Rainha and London, his work combines bold creativity with smart design solutions, shaping memorable visual identities for global brands and cultural projects.
Yegan Mazandarani & William Keo
Four Eyes Editions
Representing Four Eyes Editions, Yegan Mazandarani and William Keo bring a combined expertise in publishing, photography, and creative direction. Based in Paris and Berlin, their work spans art direction, editorial design, and the development of contemporary photobooks. As publishers and curators, they champion bold visual narratives and support emerging photographers worldwide.
Rúben R. Dias
Editorial Designer, Researcher & Educator
Editorial designer and researcher with a PhD in Design, he is a professor at ESAD—Matosinhos and associate at Itemzero. His work explores the intersection of typography, publishing, and craft through teaching, writing, and his own letterpress studio. Internationally recognized, he regularly leads workshops and lectures on editorial design and type culture.
Meet the 2026 Jury - F/262 Photography Award (Zé Award)
The F/262 jury brings together internationally recognized photographers, curators, editors, and educators from across the globe.
We believe in the power of diverse perspectives — combining experience, vision, and a commitment to new voices — to shape meaningful stories and elevate photographic excellence.
Ami Vitale
National Geographic Explorer | Nikon Ambassador | World Press Photo Winner | Lucie Humanitarian Award Honoree
Ami Vitale is an award-winning photographer and filmmaker whose work spans more than 100 countries. Honored with World Press Photo awards and the Lucie Humanitarian Award, she is celebrated for powerful stories on conflict, conservation, and humanity. She is also the founder of Vital Impacts, supporting conservation and emerging storytellers worldwide.
Jacqueline Tobin
AUTHOR & FORMER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, RANGEFINDER MAGAZINE
With over 35 years in the photo industry, she has held leadership roles at Photo District News and Rangefinder magazine, guiding its evolution from print to digital. She is also the author of Wedding Photography Unveiled and The Luminous Portrait.
Daria Bonera
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR, DB AGENCY / VISUAL EDITOR
Milan-based agent and editor, Daria Bonera is the founder of DB Agency, representing photographers and directors in fashion, documentary, and advertising. She was photo editor of Touring – National Geographic Traveler Italia (2009–2019) and is currently visual editor for Cesura collective. Daria has served on juries for the Moscow International Foto Awards, IPA, TPOTY, Siena Awards, and is a nominator for Prix Pictet.
deanne fitzmaurice
Pulitzer Prize & Multiple Award–Winning Photographer, Nikon Ambassador
Pulitzer Prize–winning photographer and Nikon Ambassador, Deanne Fitzmaurice is internationally recognized for her powerful visual storytelling. Her award-winning work has appeared in National Geographic, Sports Illustrated, and The New York Times Magazine.
CLARA AZEVEDO
Fujifilm Ambassador, Documentary Photographer
Fujifilm Ambassador and documentary photographer, Clara Azevedo has published 11 books and exhibited widely. She worked for Expresso newspaper, freelanced internationally, and served as Official Photographer to Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa (2016–2024).
Franchesca Melendez
Founder & Curator, Bohío Creative
Founder and curator of Bohío Creative, a gallery dedicated to celebrating artists, stories, and community. Passionate about the power of art to inspire change, she connects and uplifts creators whose work reflects resilience, beauty, and social impact.
Martin Krystýnek MQEP
President, Slovak Association of Professional Photographers
Master Qualified European Photographer and president of the Slovak Association of Professional Photographers, he has earned over 500 international awards. A board member of FEP and committee member of the World Photographic Cup, he is celebrated for his timeless black-and-white portraits and as one of the youngest ever to achieve the MQEP title.
Carine Van Gerven
Founder, Lens op de Mens Festival
Art photographer and founder of the international photo festival Lens op de Mens in Pelt. Her award-winning work has been exhibited internationally and reflects contemporary stories through a historical visual language.
Matthew Jordan Smith
Nikon & KoyLab Ambassador, Celebrity & Portrait Photographer
Renowned portrait photographer known for images of Angela Bassett, Tyra Banks, Queen Latifah, Aretha Franklin, and Samuel L. Jackson. His clients include Olay, Revlon, and HBO, and his award-winning book Future American President inspires children across all 50 U.S. states.
Claudio Napolitano
Hasselblad Master, Commercial & Portrait Photographer
Hasselblad Master and multi-award-winning Venezuelan photographer, Claudio Napolitano has received over 40 international honors, including Gold at PX3 Paris and Best of Nation at the World Photographic Cup. Renowned for his striking portraiture and social series, his work has been exhibited worldwide from New York to Hong Kong.
António Pedrosa
Documentary Photographer, Colectivo Co-founder & Hasselblad Master
Photojournalist since 1996, with work published internationally. Winner of the Estação Imagem Award (2012) and Hasselblad Masters (2014), he creates impactful documentary projects presented in books and exhibitions worldwide. A member of the 4SEE agency, Pedrosa is also a curator and educator, dedicated to fostering new voices in photography.
Frank Meo
Photographer’s Representative, Curator & Founder of PROJECTIONS NYC
Has represented photographers for over three decades as a mentor, consultant, and advocate, helping shape award-winning campaigns, exhibitions, and books worldwide. Founder of PROJECTIONS NYC, a global platform that has showcased more than 400 photographers—including Pulitzer and World Press winners—to an international creative audience. Regularly serves as a juror, curator, and speaker for institutions and festivals such as ICP, SVA, Parsons, the Lucie Awards, Sienna Photo Awards, and Xposure International Photography Festival..
Timeline
Jury Announcement: Coming September 2025
Review Period: October–November 2025
Selected Artists Notified: December 2025
Festival Dates: March 2026
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