The Saltzman–Leibovitz Photography Prize was established in 2025 by photographer and philanthropist Lisa Saltzman, through the Saltzman Family Foundation, in collaboration with photographer Annie Leibovitz. Conceived in honour of Ralph and Muriel Saltzman—longstanding patrons and dedicated collectors of the arts—the Prize affirms a commitment to photography as a vital language of contemporary culture.

The 2026 edition is dedicated to women visual storytellers, in dialogue with Leibovitz’s landmark book Women. Conceived as a platform to showcase artists at a pivotal moment in their practice, the Prize highlights emerging photographers whose work expands the language of contemporary image-making.

Each edition brings together a group of internationally distinguished nominators at the forefront of photography and visual culture, invited to identify artists whose work reflects urgency, clarity, and originality. For 2026, the nominators were Emma Bowkett, Director of Photography at FT Weekend Magazine; Zanele Muholi, visual activist; Jennifer Pastore, Global Creative Director at Vanity Fair; Ivan Shaw, Visuals Editor at The World of Interiors and Director of Archive Strategy and Engagement; and Leslie Simitch, Executive Vice President at Trunk Archive.

An international jury of curators, editors, and cultural leaders selected the recipients: Deborah Aaronson, Vice President and Group Publisher at Phaidon; David Campany, Creative Director at the International Center of Photography, New York; Azu Nwagbogu, curator, National Geographic Explorer at Large, Founder and Director of the African Artists’ Foundation, Founder of the LagosPhoto Festival, and Creator of Art Base Africa; and Phyllis Posnick, Contributing Editor at Vogue.

The 2026 nominated artists are: Miranda Barnes, Marisol Mendez, Cole Ndelu, Bettina Pittaluga and Lindeka Qampi.