Hannah Reyes Morales is a Filipina photographer from Manila, Philippines.

The focus of Morales’ work surrounds resiliency and the bonds between individuals.[1] Interested in how individuals face hardship, often her photographs will document the impoverished and observe the dignity of the poor despite the systemic inequality and injustice that is experienced.[1]

Early life edit

Morales was raised in Manila, Philippines with her mother and 12 relatives.[2] In high school, Morales tutored children in poor communities and gained valuable experience during that time.[2] Enrollment in a photography class while attending the University of the Philippines led to an internship at the European Pressphoto Agency and further exploration in photography.[2] It was at the University where Morales was introduced to photography through one of her professors.[3]

Career edit

Over her career, she has traveled through Asia to document the daily lives of individuals and families within struggling communities. Between 2013 - 2016, she lived in Cambodia where her work included photographing Cambodian bride trades and forced marriages.[3] In 2016 she began photographing the people affected by the Philippine drug war. When she first began photographing the effects, she documented the deaths that were occurring regularly.

Her focus quickly shifted to the stories of the individuals and families in the neighborhoods where the deaths took place.[2] Her themes of resilience within community can also be seen in a variety of projects such as Shelter from the Storm, about women forced into the sex trade industry due to displacement by natural disasters.[3] Additional projects include Roots from Ashes, Eagle Hunters, and Seasons of Darkness.[4]

As her career has progressed Morales's practice has seen an increasing focus on the arts and an evolution beyond journalism. In 2021 she co-founded the Emerging Islands art residency and artiist collective based in La Union, Philippines [5]

Awards and recognitions edit

Morales is the recipient of numerous awards. In 2020, she was awarded the Infinity Award for Documentary Practice and Visual Journalism by the International Center of Photography.[6] She has also received the 2019 Tim Hetherington Visionary Award, The Royal Photographic Society Margaret Harker media for 100 Photographic Heroines, and the 2016 SOPA Award for Excellence in Digital Reporting.[6] In addition, she was previously awarded a grant from the National Geographic Society.[7]

In 2023, Morales was named as one of the regional winners for South East Asia and Oceania in the World Press Photo Awards[8][9][10][11]

Works edit

Morales has worked with numerous newspapers, magazines, and projects. Her work has been shown in The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN Philippines, and the Atlantic.[12] Additionally, she since working as a National Geographic Explorer since 2017.[13] In 2020, she was named a cultural leader by the World Economic Forum.[14]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Sebastian, Nicole. "Talk: Hannah Reyes Morales (Online)". The Photographers' Gallery. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d Estrin, James (March 6, 2018). "Finding Tenderness in Communities Affected by Manila's Anti-Drug War". The New York Times. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c "Hannah Reyes Morales: Philippines". The British Journal of Photography. 165 (7872): 84–87. June 1, 2018.
  4. ^ Kingston, Demelza. "Hannah Reyes Morales". Hundred Heroines. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  5. ^ ANCX Staff. "LOOK! Startling photographs from an eye-opening Earth Day exhibit inspired by La Union's waters". ABS-CBN. Retrieved Oct 13, 2023.
  6. ^ a b Jaucian, Don (May 20, 2020). "Filipino Photographer Hannah Reyes Morales wins Prestigious Photojournalism Prize". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on May 27, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  7. ^ "Explorer Profile: Hannah Reyes Morales". National Geographic. 10 July 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  8. ^ "Filipina photographers win in 2023 World Press Photo awards". The Philippines Star. March 29, 2023. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  9. ^ "2 Filipinos feted as regional winners in 2023 World Press Photo Contest". Rappler. March 29, 2023. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  10. ^ "Two Filipino photographers win prestigious World Press Photo regional categories". CNN Philippines. March 29, 2023. Archived from the original on March 30, 2023.
  11. ^ "Southeast Asia and Oceania - World Press Photo Awards 2023". World Press Photo.
  12. ^ Sebastian, Nicola. "Talk: Hannah Reyes Morales (Online)". The Photographers' Journal. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  13. ^ Morales, Hannah (9 December 2020). "It was such a Revelation Seeing this Pandemic Play out". National Geographic. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  14. ^ "2020 Infinity Award: Documentary Practice and Visual Journalism - Hannah Reyes Morales". ICP. 4 March 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2021.


External links edit