People nominee

These images are candid and authentic portraits of strangers on the streets. They reveal a juxtaposition between culture and time, such as “Benji”, a cross-dresser in East Village; a young gothic girl at the ancient Pantheon; a Chinese girl wearing a traditional dress and an Apple Watch; a Moroccan girl posing like Mona Lisa; and a conservative old woman sitting on a bench in Central Park. Yet, they all capture a rare glimpse into their inner worlds. And, how elegant they are!

Zili Zhang is a fine art photographer based in Greenwich, Connecticut. His portfolio includes a wide range of subjects, from soothing landscapes, street portraits, to creative photography. For Zhang, photography is much more than just capturing the moment, it can be a powerful tool to convey ideas and evoking emotions. His work embodies his motto of "Simple. Beautiful. Meaningful.”
Awards:
2020 The 17th Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest - Finalist
2022-2023 LensCulture Photography Awards - Editor’s Pick X 5
2022 PhotoPlace Gallery “Portals” Competition - Winner
2022 Top 10 Fine Art Photo Contest - Finalist
2022 Rowayton Arts Center Photography & Sculpture Show - Honorable Mention
2023 Photo Review Competition 2023 - Winner
2023 Siena Creative Awards - Shortlist
2023 ReFocus Awards World Photo Annual - Honorable Mention, People’s Vote Award
2023 International Photography Awards - Honorable Mention
2023 Eyeshot Magazine Open Call - Semi-finalist
2023 ReFocus Awards Black and White - Honorable Mentions in Concept & Street
2023 Chromatic Awards - 3rd Place(Environmental), Honorable Mentions in Natural & Portrait