İstanbul Photo Awards has become “a big reference for everybody involved in photojournalism,” says Nairobi-based AFP photojournalist Luis Tato, recognized at the contest’s 2025 edition for his compelling coverage of climate devastation in Kenya and everyday life in Uganda.
Tato earned two major honors at this year’s awards: first prize in the Story Nature & Environment category for his documentation of Kenya’s devastating floods, and third prize in the Marion Mertens Single Daily Life category for his uplifting human-centered photo titled Brass for Africa, taken in Uganda.
His photo series on Kenya’s 2024 floods captured the aftermath of one of East Africa’s worst climate disasters in recent memory. Weeks of unrelenting rain submerged entire villages, collapsed vital infrastructure, and displaced more than 55,000 households. The disaster claimed over 300 lives.
“Last year in the whole region in East Africa, the flood situation was strictly serious … with many different countries affected, and many people involved in this process that were dramatically affected,” he told Anadolu in an interview.
Tato’s stark images — families wading through rising waters, washed-out roads, makeshift shelters — drew international attention to a worsening climate emergency.
“The countries that are contributing the least to climate change are the ones that are more heavily affected,” he said.
He also pointed to the deep-rooted structural issues that worsen such disasters. “The governments are failing them, the local governments are failing them, the international community is failing them,” he said, adding that a lack of awareness and weak infrastructure continue to expose vulnerable populations to danger.
Recognition at a turning point
In his journey as a visual storyteller, Tato said the İstanbul Photo Awards marked an important milestone.
“Obviously honored, and I'm very excited about it … it's already become a big reference for everybody involved in the industry of photojournalists,” he said.
While he was quick to point out that “awards cannot be the goal or the objective of the work,” he said the recognition brings motivation: “It’s always a pleasure” and “gives a boost to keep working.”
“My hope is that someone comes to the website now, or comes to look at the exhibitions or the awards, and gets inspired by my work,” he added.
The awards also offered something less tangible but just as valuable: connection.
“Photojournalism is a very lonely job … I also experience the job in a very lonely way. I like to be in my space photographing. But this sense of community helps me,” he said.
‘We start to show Africa in a different way’
Tato’s Brass for Africa, the third prize winner in Single Daily Life, was taken in Kampala, Uganda, on Jan. 23, 2024. It captures a group of young musicians rehearsing for a performance in the Bwaise informal settlement.
“This type of story is very important to me … it's important that we change the narrative,” he said.
Too often, coverage of the continent focuses on crisis. “We tend to report about Africa from a very specific angle, and I think it's very important, and we start to change this. We start to show Africa in a different way,” he said.
“There are beautiful stories in every corner … What is more universal than music? Nothing.”
‘I found photography almost accidentally’
Tato’s journey into photojournalism was not straightforward. While studying an unrelated subject, he found himself in the profession “almost accidentally,” he said.
“I haven't been to a big photography school,” he noted. Instead, he taught himself, learning through exhibitions, conversations with peers, and online resources.
His first big break came when he received a grant in Spain that led to an internship at a local newspaper.
“The newspaper offered me the possibility to start working with them, and from there, I started to build a career,” he said.
Now based in Nairobi, Tato joined AFP in 2023 and currently serves as chief photographer and photo coordinator for East Africa and the Indian Ocean.
- ‘Never a straight line’
Reflecting on his path, Tato offered advice to aspiring photojournalists.
“This career … that’s a lot of ups and downs. It’s never a straight line,” he said.
He spoke openly about the uncertainty of freelancing — the financial insecurity, the isolation, the moments of doubt.
“Sometimes, people won’t understand what you do … but it’s very important to believe in what you do,” he said.
Through it all, he remained committed. “I kept believing in myself in those moments. If you believe in what you do, that will keep you going.”
While grateful for the honors, Tato stresses that recognition should never be the ultimate goal.
“It's very important that you put yourself out there. But also it's very important that you don't obsess with winning or with being highlighted. That doesn't define the quality of your work,” he said.
“Look for that feeling of communities, it's important that people keep going back to the community.”
This year’s İstanbul Photo Awards contest is supported by Turkcell as the communication sponsor, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) as the overseas event sponsor, and Turkish Airlines as the airline sponsor.
More information on the winning photographs and jury members can be found at istanbulphotoawards.com.