Gwenn Dubourthoumieu
I discovered photography while working in Africa for humanitarian NGOs. In 2010, I decided to make it my profession and moved to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where I conducted documentary work on social issues and human rights. At the same time, I covered current events for Agence France-Presse.
Since 2012, based in Paris, I have been working as an independent photographer, exploring social and environmental issues, inequalities, and power dynamics, both in France and abroad, particularly in the DRC. My work, which has received numerous awards, is widely published in the French and international press.
My series on the social consequences of copper extraction in the DRC is part of the permanent collection of the Library of Congress in the United States since 2013, and my photographic investigation into the customs of the upper bourgeoisie led to the publication of a book in 2024, “Entre-soi, le séparatisme des riches”, co-authored with sociologist Monique Pinçon-Charlot.
AWARDS & GRANTS
2025
Winner of the “François Bel Grant of Possibilities” (France)
2023
Winner of the SCAM Grant “Brouillon d’un rêve” – Journalism (France)
Winner of the “Bourse de l’aventure” (France)
Winner of the “François Bel Grant of Possibilities” (France)
2019
Bronze Award – Eurobest – Photography category (Great Britain)
Sylver Award – Epica Awards – Photography category (Netherlands)
Golden Drum Award – Creativity 4 Change – Photography category (Slovenia)
2015
Silver Medal at the Sportfolio Sports Photography Festival – Reportage category (France)
2014
Winner of the Fotografia Etica Short Story Award (Italy)
Finalist of the 57th Bourse du Talent – Reportage category (France)
2013
Winner of the MSH Photography Fellowship Grand Prize (USA)
Winner of the Sophot Competition (France)
Finalist of the 53rd Bourse du Talent – Reportage Category (France)
Finalist of the Aftermath Grant (USA)
2012
Winner of the Saint-Brieuc Photoreporter Festival Grant (France)
Finalist of the Photo Philanthropy Awards Professional Competition (USA)
Choice of the 50th Bourse du Talent – Portrait Category (France)
2nd Place – NPPA Best of Photojournalism Award – “The Art of Entertainment” Category (USA)
Special Jury Prize – 8th International Photojournalism Festival “Days Japan” in Tokyo (Japan)
2011
Winner of the “Getty Images Creative Grant” (USA)
Investigation Prize at the Scoop Grand Lille European Journalism Festival (France)
Special Jury Mention – Scam Prize Roger Pic (France)
2010
Special Jury Prize – Angers Scoop and Journalism Festival (France)
Finalist in the International Photojournalism Competition “Le Tremplin Photo de l’EMI” (France)
Outstanding Finalist in the “Getty Images Creative Grants” (USA)
Winner of the “Défis Jeunes” grant from the Champagne-Ardenne Regional Council (France)