We are proud to announce Maria Abranches as the 2025 Inglewood Photography Festival Book Grant recipient for her project Here is Maria. A Portuguese documentary photographer focused on human rights, Maria transitioned from architecture to photojournalism after studying analog photography at ArCo and interning at Público....
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MARIA tells the story of Ana Maria Jeremias, an Angolan woman whose life as a domestic worker and caregiver mirrors the lived realities of countless other women. Her story brings into focus the quiet yet essential labor that women like her contribute to our homes, societies, and economies. As Ana Maria herself once said, she has spent her entire life cleaning.
The project is inspired by the questions posed by writer and activist Françoise Vergès: “Who cleans the world?” and “Why does this work carry a racial and gendered identity?” These questions guide an exploration into the often-ignored histories of racialized women in Portugal, a nation still profoundly marked by its colonial past.
Ana Maria was born Utima, the Umbundu word for “heart”—a name that beautifully captures her character. She is a woman of profound strength and care, who has worked in and nurtured the homes of numerous families for more than forty years.
At just nine years old, she was taken from her homeland under the false promise of an education—an opportunity that was never given. Brought to Coimbra by a Portuguese family, she would later learn that her father’s signature had been forged to authorize her departure. Ana Maria had, in fact, been trafficked.
Upon her arrival in Portugal, she was given a new name—Ana Maria—and assigned a new birth year: 1965.
What followed was a life shaped by domestic servitude, verbal abuse, and racial discrimination. But at 21, Ana Maria found the courage to leave the household that had exploited her. She met the man who would become the father of her only child, and together they moved to Lisbon, settling in a shantytown in search of the freedom she had long been denied.
In time, Ana Maria was able to purchase her own home in Rio de Mouro, on the outskirts of Lisbon. She continues to commute into the city center, working with determination and resilience.
By centering Ana Maria’s story, this project seeks to provoke reflection on the unexamined privileges of middle-class households and to reclaim the silenced histories that have been denied to women like her.
Combining photography with rigorous research, including personal documents and photographs from Ana Maria’s own archive, this work aims to restore the memory and identity that were taken from her. It affirms her rightful claim to visibility, dignity, and citizenship—while honoring the lives of the many women whose stories remain untold
We are deeply grateful to everyone who participated in our charity auction, and we extend a special thank you to all who placed bids on the stunning photographs generously donated by the artists.
Partnering with the Fahey/Klein Gallery has been a tremendous honor, and we are thrilled with the success of this auction, which featured exceptional works from some of contemporary art’s most celebrated photographers. Your contributions will directly support our inaugural book award, providing both funding and mentorship to an emerging photographer as they take their first steps toward launching a fine art career. Thank you for helping to make this important initiative a reality!
The Inglewood Photography Festival Inc, in its inaugural year, is dedicated to celebrating the art of photography and fostering a community of photographers, collectors, and enthusiasts. Through exhibitions, workshops, and this new Book Award, the festival aims to nurture emerging talent and promote the power of visual storytelling. The festival is also committed to bringing photographers from around the world to Inglewood, enriching the community with diverse perspectives and artistic expressions.
Our festival aims to achieve urban revitalization by infusing art and culture into underutilized neighborhoods, empowering underrepresented communities, and providing education and resources to young artists. It addresses a void in the photography space in Southern California. We use photography to bridge cultural differences, showcase Inglewood’s art history, and engage the community through immersive experiences, fostering global artistic exchange. Additionally, we highlight the impact of emerging technology on photography, exploring innovations like AI and blockchain, and support artists in protecting their intellectual property and enhancing their skills.
We highlight the impact of technology on
photography, exploring how AI, blockchain
technology and other innovations are shaping
the future of art. IPF supports artists in
protecting their intellectual property in digital
environments and elevate their skills and
expectations.
We use photography as a unifying force to understand cultural differences and similarities. We showcase Inglewood’s art history and influence to activate the community through interactive and immersive experiences. IPF offers globally artistic exchange, offering opportunities for locals, travelers, professionals in the field and international visionaries to interact over the work through time. This mission has no expiration date.
Inglewood Photo Festival Inc, a registered non-profit organization with Tax ID 92-3111717- 501(C) (3), is dedicated to passionately celebrating photography as a revered art form. Our core mission revolves around inspiring creativity and nurturing a strong sense of community within the world of photography. For more information, please email us: info@inglewoodphotofestival.com
Copyright © Inglewood Photo Festival Inc, 2025