When the spotlight blinds: Rethinking photojournalism's relationship with awards

As an award-winning photojournalist, I have personally experienced the positive impact of accolades in this fiercely competitive field. The awards, prize money, and grants I have received over the years have undoubtedly advanced my career. However, this recognition has also prompted me to reflect on the role that awards play in photojournalism.

Awards serve as a motivational force, pushing photographers to pursue stories beyond the confines of an assignment, often resulting in personal projects that showcase creativity and passion. Indeed, past Finnish Press Photo competitions have celebrated many such personal endeavours. In fact, two of my three winning news photos in recent years were not captured during assignments.