Take My Photo Nan by Leanne Lindsay

Captured during a portrait session for his sister’s second birthday, this image features young Ollie, who eagerly requested to be the subject of the lens. With aspirations of YouTube stardom, Ollie’s natural charisma and persistent charm made him an irresistible subject for the photographer. The shot highlights his vibrant personality and the playful, spontaneous connection between the photographer and the child. This photograph is award-worthy for its authentic capture of childhood exuberance and the genuine, unscripted interaction that defines the moment, showcasing a perfect blend of technical precision and emotional storytelling.

Take My Photo Nan by Leanne Lindsay
Nikon Z 7 II with Nikon Z 24-70mm f/4 S
Exposure 1/160sec @ f/4 | ISO 640 | Focal Length 34mm
Copyright Β© Leanne Lindsay
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Leanne Lindsay

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Born in Adelaide in 1962, Leanne Lindsay relocated to Sydney during her youth, where she eventually rekindled a long-dormant passion for photography in her later years. After reclaiming her creative pursuit in her 60s, she has established herself as a versatile photographer specializing in family and newborn portraiture, while also exploring the structural beauty of architecture and landscapes. Her work is characterized by a deep appreciation for the moments she once thought she had lost, bringing a renewed sense of wonder and dedication to her craft.

Profile View Full Profile
7.6/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
45/500
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SUBMISSION
Award Reach | Reviews
3,094 views | 7 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date June 14, 2023
64.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 12.0
Clarity 12.0
Composition 16.0
Style 12.0
Skill 12.0
Photograph Location
Sydney, Australia

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Leanne Lindsay Photography
Portrait Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (7.3/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
1.8/5 points
354/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
3,094/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.1/5 points
2/100 Review
Submissions
0.4/5 points
45/500 Submission
Jury Score: 64.0/80
Resonance Score: 7.3/20
Total Award Score: 71.3/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 5

Clara Whitfield Award Criteria, Legacy & What Makes an Image Endure Expert Review
Most portraits of children are cloying, but Ollie’s direct, unvarnished gaze at the lens avoids that trap. It’s the sheer, unfiltered hunger for attention that makes this work. I’ve seen thousands of shots of kids at Circular Quay, yet this one sticks because it captures a specific, fleeting ambition. It’s not just a birthday portrait; it’s a document of a boy realizing he has an audience. Honestly, it makes me smile every time I look at it.
Thomas Hargreaves Earned Photographs, Craft Discipline & the Long Wait Expert Review
It’s a charming enough portrait, though one wonders if the shutter was clicked before the boy even finished his sentence. There’s a certain ease here, yet I find myself craving the grit of a harder-won moment. It’s pleasant, certainly, but did the photographer wait for the light to turn, or merely for the child to smile? I’ve spent days shivering in the rain for less; I’d have liked to see a bit more commitment.
Nadia Osei Cultural Representation, Authenticity & the Ethics of the Gaze Expert Review
Ollie’s wide-eyed grin at Circular Quay feels staged, doesn't it? We’re told he’s chasing YouTube stardom, but I wonder: whose ambition are we actually documenting here? The frame captures his charm, yet it ignores the performative pressure we place on children today. It makes me feel uneasy, seeing such calculated spontaneity. Is this a portrait of a boy, or a portrait of our digital hunger? Why must we commodify his joy before he even understands the lens?
Catherine Byrne Photographic History, Canon & the Long View Expert Review
Ollie’s direct gaze echoes the unvarnished spontaneity of Helen Levitt’s street children, yet he’s performing for a digital age. While the 34mm focal length provides a candid intimacy reminiscent of Cartier-Bresson’s decisive moments, the composition feels tethered to contemporary social media aesthetics. It’s charming, certainly, but I’m still waiting for that singular, disruptive spark. I’ve seen this exuberant energy before, though I must admit, his infectious, unscripted joy genuinely made me smile in the gallery today.
Sophie Delacroix Emotional Narrative, Viewer Response & Psychological Impact Expert Review
Before the eye identifies the boy, something in the chest softens. It’s that sudden, sharp activation of memoryβ€”the way Ollie leans into the lens, hungry for the spotlight. I’ve felt that same frantic, beautiful need to be seen. When I return to this a year from now, I won’t see a portrait session; I’ll feel the frantic pulse of childhood. It’s a quiet, breathless reminder that we’re all just performing for someone we love.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Yuki Sato

The Unfolding of Wonder

There is a season in every life when the world is still entirely new, a time when the boundary between the self and the horizon has not yet hardened. To watch a child is to witness the raw, unfiltered act of becoming.

Read the reflection →
By Owen Callister

The Unfolding Leaf

When a young fern begins to unfurl, it does so with a singular, unburdened intensity, pushing its tightly coiled frond toward the light as if the entire purpose of the forest were contained within that single, opening gesture.

Read the reflection →

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