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Silver winner in Editorial / Political / 2024

The Protests Where Heartbreak Meets Hope

  • Photographer
    Maya Hed
  • Agency / Studio
    Maya Hed Photography
  • Prize
    Silver winner in Editorial / Political / in

This is the most crucial protest to attend. It is a daily struggle for life and peace, between helplessness and hope. While their loved ones are in captivity, Ifat Kalderon and Einav Zangauker fiercely lead, along with a group of hostages’ families, daily protests in front of the IDF HQ. They block the street, read the hostages’ names, and demand their return, an end to the war, and Netanyahu's resignation. These women have transformed from living normal lives to being at the heart of our nation’s most painful struggle, showing graceful leadership in a time when it is especially needed.

Maya Hed was born and raised in LA and moved to Israel in the late 90s, where she studied at the Kiryat Ono College of Photography.Maya specializes in portraiture, especially series of photographs captured over time. She uses natural lighting to capture genuine, raw emotion, and tell the subject’s story through their portrait. Maya showcased 3 solo exhibitions at the Israeli Opera,Hava Rosenberg gallery and The Scots Hotel.Her work won awards, appeared in print in several magazines & books. Maya also has extensive experience with film,and works as a freelance documentarian based in Tel-Aviv.