APA|DC Announces 2022 Recipient for First Annual LGBTQIAP+ Photography Grant

September 2022

American Photographic Artists (APA) is proud to announce Daniel Aros-Aguilar (he/she/them) as the first annual LGBTQIAP+ photography grant recipient, sponsored by APA’s Washington, D.C., chapter (APA|DC).

A panel of distinguished judges selected Daniel from more than 114 applications representing 22 countries. He is a gender non-conforming photographer born in Colombia who now resides in Harlem, N.Y.

His grant submission “Sandunga Nunca Muere” ("Her Beauty Never Dies”) is an ongoing photography project that establishes contemporary documentation of pre-Christianized queer history and redefinition of morality in the Latin American culture.

“This grant has provided me with the resources and affirmation to continue bringing forward the lives of gender non-conforming First Nations peoples and celebrating a pre-colonized history of non-binary identities in Latin America,” said Aros-Aguilar.

APA|DC launched the $3,000 grant for emerging and established photographers to celebrate diversity and help LGBTQIAP+ photographers receive funding, recognition, and representation in the professional photographic community. Photographers age 18+ worldwide who self-identified as LGBTQIAP+ were eligible to apply.

The grant’s jury panel comprised industry leaders and included Ahmad Barber, Co-Owner of AB+DM Studio and Art Director; Liz Lynch, Photographer and Photo Editor; Michael Wichita, Photo Director, AARP; and Greg Garry, Photography Director.

“APA|DC is thrilled to sponsor this important grant that helps amplify the voices of LGBTQIAP+ photographers, and by the global response and strength of applications we received from around the world. Our judges felt that Daniel Aros-Aguilar's ongoing work on the parallel adversities of queer communities in Latin American culture was an exemplary project to help launch this annual award. We look forward to seeing the rest of his project come to life over the coming months,” said Mike Morgan, APA|DC Chapter Chair.

Photos © Daniel Aros-Aguilar

Check out Daniel Aros-Aguilar’s interview on APA SCOPE: https://youtu.be/qwSeuj9jLy0