Welcome Photography Prize 2025: Where Photography Meets Science, Health, and Humanity

Celebrating the Power of Visual Storytelling in Science and Health

The Wellcome Photography Prize, an esteemed platform for visual artists and scientists, has announced its 2025 winners. This year’s laureates are UK-based artist Sujata Setia, Bangladeshi documentary and street photographer Mithail Afrige Chowdhury, and UK-based electron microscopy specialist and science photographer Steve Gschmeissner. Their works capture compelling narratives that highlight critical issues such as domestic abuse, climate migration, and the hidden dangers of cholesterol.

Each winner received a £10,000 prize at a ceremony held at the Francis Crick Institute in London, celebrating their contributions to the intersection of science, health, and human stories.

A Thousand Cuts by Sujata Setia – Storytelling Series

Sujata Setia was recognized for her project “A Thousand Cuts,” a portrait series created in collaboration with survivors of domestic abuse within South Asian communities. Each image is a composite of personal testimony, visual symbolism, and traditional craft. Setia worked closely with the women and the charity SHEWISE to create portraits that preserved anonymity while maintaining identity. She used the Indian paper-cutting technique called sanjhi to overlay each photograph, transforming it into a powerful representation of resilience and survival.

Setia expressed her gratitude for the recognition, stating that it affirms the inseparable link between health and the histories that shape it. She emphasized that domestic abuse is not a singular event but leaves a trans-generational impact on health. As someone who grew up in a home marked by violence, she sees this recognition as validation of her story and the deep, often invisible scars left by gender-based abuse.

She hopes that this moment will spark deeper dialogue and scholarship around the connection between domestic abuse and health, urging society to acknowledge this global issue more openly.

Urban Travel by Mithail Afrige Chowdhury – Striking Solo Photography

Mithail Afrige Chowdhury’s winning image, “Urban Travel,” captures a mother and daughter enjoying a rooftop picnic in Dhaka. The scene, though simple, reflects the resilience of climate migrants who have been displaced by extreme weather and rapid urbanization. With few parks remaining in the city, this staged moment symbolizes an attempt to preserve childhood rituals and access to nature.

Chowdhury shared his feelings about the win, saying that receiving the news made him feel like he had regained something he thought he had lost. He mentioned that he had stepped away from his work due to life’s challenges, but this recognition has given him a renewed sense of purpose. He described the Wellcome award as deeply human, emphasizing how it reaffirms the importance of his work in highlighting the everyday consequences of climate change.

Cholesterol in the Liver by Steve Gschmeissner – The Marvels of Scientific and Medical Imaging

Steve Gschmeissner’s winning entry, “Cholesterol in the Liver,” showcases an electron microscopy image revealing cholesterol crystals forming inside lipid-laden liver cells. The image, colorized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transforms a microscopic biological process into a visually striking piece of art. These microscopic shifts, though invisible to the naked eye, can lead to severe health consequences, including heart disease and strokes.

Gschmeissner, with over four decades of experience in scientific imaging, has contributed to numerous publications, stamp collections, and even fashion collaborations. His work exemplifies how imaging can bridge the gap between science and culture. He expressed his delight at being part of the Wellcome Photography Prize, calling the win one of the highlights of his 50-year career.

Exhibition and Further Recognition

The top 25 entries from the 2025 competition are on display in the Wellcome Photography Prize exhibition, which is free and open to the public at the Francis Crick Institute in London. The exhibition runs from 17 July to 18 October 2025, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore the power of visual storytelling in the context of science and health.

Wellcome, an organization dedicated to supporting discovery research into life, health, and wellbeing, addresses three global health challenges: mental health, infectious disease, and climate and health. Through initiatives like the Photography Prize, they continue to promote awareness and understanding of these critical issues.