The Wellcome Photography Prize 2025 top 25 entries shows queer bodies from all walks of life
BY ELLA GAUCI, PHOTOGRAPHER/CREATIVE DIRECTOR: JULIA COMITA, DESIGNER/CREATIVE DIRECTOR: STEPHANIE FRANCIS, STYLIST: MARISA ELLISON, MAKEUP: MOISES RAMIREZ, HAIR: WILL SCHAEDLER, MANICURIST: CLAWED BY LACREME, SET DESIGN: ERIN LYNN WELSH
The Wellcome Photography Prize 2025 top 25 entries are celebrating LGBTQIA+ people, with a number of photographers capturing queer people navigating visibility, dignity and care in different social and healthcare systems. Now in its 28th year, the prize celebrates the intersection of health, science and human experience.
One of these projects is called Marks of Majesty by American photographer Julia Comita and art director Stephanie Francis which amplifies the stories from people who are underrepresented in breast cancer research. One of these portraits is of Vanessa who was diagnosed with breast cancer just before their 40th birthday. After having a double mastectomy, Vanessa decided not to get breast implants as the process had been gender-affirming for them.
Julia Comita and Stephanie Francis began Marks Of Majesty after a person named Laura expressed a desire to be photographed after her breast reconstruction surgery. Upon hearing this story, Julia and Stephanie started this series to create conversations about breast cancer, healing and misconceptions.
In a joint statement, they said: “Through our work on this project we have learned that: breast cancer research is radically skewed towards white women of European descent whose predispositions are likely completely different to those whose heritage is from places like Africa or Asia; breast cancer research is extremely limited for transgender or gender nonconforming individuals; and there are few resources for breast cancer survivors and previvors in the LGBTQIA+ and various non-white communities.”
Julia spoke to DIVA about the experience working on the project: “It was incredible to work with Lyssette, Mariah, Michelle, and Eshaana. Each of them had their own unique experience with breast cancer and distinctly different healing journeys, leading them to evolve in their relationship to their bodies in deeply personal ways. They also had perspectives particular to their individual identities about things like, for example, the lack of open conversation about one’s body due to cultural reasons, and what it’s like navigating the American medical system in a bigger body.”
Other projects that are part of Wellcome’s cohort this year include Oded Wagenstein’s series Transparent Curtains – Ageing Through the Eyes of Gay Elders which focuses on the experiences of older LGBTQIA+ people. This decade’s long project has dove into the experiences of ageing and exclusion.
These series have been massively impactful for the subjects of the photos as well as the photographers. Mariah was part of Marks Of Majesty and found the experience powerful. “As a Black, fat, queer, woman who has had breast cancer, I’ve wanted to contribute to the conversation that ANYONE can receive a breast cancer diagnosis – regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, etc.”
To learn more about Marks Of Majesty click www.marksofmajesty.com
The Wellcome Photography Prize 2025 Exhibition runs from 17 July to 18 October at the Francis Crick Institute, London. crick.ac.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/wellcome-photography-prize-2025
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