Ezra Acayan Named APAC News Photographer of the Year

He also won News Photo Essay of the Year.

ezra acayan
PHOTO BY Courtesy of Ezra Acayan

(SPOT.ph) Renowned Filipino photographer Ezra Acayan has been named News Photographer of the Year for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region at the recent Getty Images Editorial Awards. He has been a regular contributor for the visual media platform since 2019.

Acayan shared with SPOT.ph that this isn’t actually his first time to be recognized at the Getty Images Editorial Awards, having won the same title of APAC News Photographer of the Year in 2020 and 2022. Back then, the awards were given internally, but this year Getty Images decided to make them public.

ezra acayan photography - leila de lima
Human rights activist Leila de Lima waves to the media after attending a hearing for her last drug-related charge.
PHOTO BY Getty Images/Ezra Acayan

“I’ve had the honor to be recognized since 2020. Sobrang thankful ako sa recognition from my editors. It makes me feel so validated for the work I do and the process involved,” Acayan said.

He also won the APAC News Photo Essay of the Year for his work on the prevalent sachet economy in the Philippines.

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A worker sorts plastic bottles for recycling at a junkshop—one of the shots that won him APAC News Photo Essay of the Year. 
PHOTO BY Getty Images/Ezra Acayan
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Also read: 10 Filipina Photographers You Need to Follow If You Haven't Yet

Who is Ezra Acayan?

Acayan is a seasoned Filipino photographer with over a decade of experience in photojournalism. His career began in the early 2010s, and since then, he has covered a wide range of critical events such as the Philippine drug war, Typhoon Haiyan, and the aftermath of the Marawi siege.

His work has been featured in major international publications like The New York Times, Reuters, and Al Jazeera.

ezra acayan photography - bbm
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. share laughs with Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri during the second SONA.
PHOTO BY Getty Images/Ezra Acayan

This recent award from Getty Images is another addition to his long list of accolades, on top of being a Pulitzer Prize finalist and a two-time World Press Photo Award recipient.

“Ezra Acayan’s portfolio of news pictures is masterclass in the power of visual storytelling [with] each frame arresting our attention for its composition, light, and moment,” Getty Images Managing Editor for APAC Vivek Prakash said.  “Ezra maintains a consistent visual style and tone throughout, creating a cohesive look that keeps editors coming back for more. His imagery evokes strong emotions in the viewer, making it a memorable and impactful visual experience, and is the mark of a top quality professional in full flight.”

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A penitent carries a cross as he reenacts the Passion of Christ as a form of penance in Pampanga.
PHOTO BY Getty Images/Ezra Acayan

Also read: Photographer Gab Mejia, 24, is First Filipino to Receive WWF Youth Prize

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