Photojournalism nominee

I captured this photograph in November in Pampallacta, located in the Cusco region of Peru.
Upon arriving in a village engaged in a rehearsal for their annual festivities, complete with traditional dances, I was captivated by a young girl.
What stood out to me was the determination in her expression and her evident pride in her ancestral culture.
The finesse and vibrant colors of her costume, set against the backdrop of the dark and magnificent Andean mountains, heightened the uniqueness of this encounter.
As I observed her dance, I distinctly recall the moment when her bright yellow hat seemingly transformed into a halo, as if she had transcended into a divine presence.

Self-taught photographer and traveler, Thibault Gerbaldi documents people and places with a clear, dignified eye. His work has earned top honors, including first place at the Siena Awards 2025, the International Photography Awards 2025, and the International Travel Photo Awards.

In 2024, he received the Rising Talent Award from Travel Photographer of the Year, the world’s most prestigious travel photography competition. That same year, he was named one of AAP’s Emerging Talents to Watch.
In 2025, three of his photographs were selected for Around the World with the Leica, a major exhibition held at the Leica headquarters in Wetzlar to celebrate the brand’s 100th anniversary. Chosen from over one million images submitted by more than 65,000 photographers worldwide, this recognition placed his work at the heart of Leica’s global centennial celebration.
His images have been published in Leica Fotografie International, All About Photo, Digital Camera, and various specialized media. His work travels the world—from Miami to Paris, Arles, Venice, Marrakech, Los Angeles and Rome.
Beyond photography, Thibault is committed to supporting humanitarian causes through his work. A board member of The Forgotten International since 2019, he donates a portion of his book and print sales to fund solidarity projects.