The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery just dropped one of the most inspiring photography announcements of the year, and honestly—it hits hard. The 2025 Teen Portrait Competition winners are here, spotlighting 19 jaw-dropping portraits created by young photographers who aren’t just snapping pics, but straight-up telling stories about identity, pressure, tradition, and growing up in America right now.
This triennial competition is open to teens aged 13 to 17 across the United States and its territories, and the results prove one thing loud and clear: the future of portrait photography is fearless. This year’s top honors went to Matilda Myers of Maryland and Kate Stermer of California, each owning their age category with bold, concept-driven work that feels way beyond their years.
Myers took the win in the 13–15 age group with Rest, a striking image that flips expectations on their head. A ballerina, caught in a quiet pause, grips a pickaxe—delicately blurring the lines between masculinity and femininity, strength and softness. It’s subtle, powerful, and unforgettable. Meanwhile, Stermer claimed the 16–17 category with The Cost of Conformity, a haunting black-and-white portrait showing a teenage girl as a puppeteer, pulling marionette strings attached to symbols of success—cars, status, control. It’s sharp, smart, and painfully real.
Altogether, 19 finalists were selected—10 from the 13–15 group and nine from the 16–17 group. Their portraits dive deep into themes like mental health, sibling bonds, cultural tradition, and self-image, all through a teen’s lens. These works will be showcased in a video presentation on the second floor of the National Portrait Gallery from January 24, 2026, through August 30, 2026, giving visitors a front-row seat to the voices shaping tomorrow’s visual culture.
You can find more info:
#1. Age 13-15: Winner – « Rest » by Matilda Myers
#2. Age 16-17: Winner – « The Cost of Conformity » by Kate Stermer
Age Group 13-15 Finalists
#3. « His Favorite Role Model » by Leah Beaudet
#4. « Reflection in a TV Screen » by Irene Chang
#5. « The Daily Cut » by Celine Ding
#6. « Sisters » by Ella Kurhajec
#7. « Forget Her » by Aubree Meyer
#8. « My Star » by Serra Zeynab Sablak
#9. « Sound Waves » by Caydence Silva
#10. « Reflection » by Stellar Slentz-Baeb
#11. « Lacrosse Royalty » by Ashley Slingluff
Age Group 16-17 Finalists
#12. « Sonder » by Catherine Buchholz
#13. « Untitled » by Rylie Chanthavong
#14. « Come on, Smile! » by Sarah Fernandez
#15. « Untitled » by Ethan Fabrizio Hoyos Hernandez
#16. « A Surface of Reflection » by Sophia Eren Laming
#17. « Alone in the Underbrush » by Kimberly Nadler
#18. « Feeling Blue » by Rain Pair
#19. « The Beauty of Seasons » by Aissatou Toure
In Summary
What is the National Portrait Gallery’s Teen Portrait Competition?
- It’s a triennial photography contest celebrating portrait work by U.S.-based teens aged 13–17.
Who won the 2025 Teen Portrait Competition?
- Matilda Myers (ages 13–15) and Kate Stermer (ages 16–17) were named the 2025 winners.
How many finalists were selected in 2025?
- A total of 19 finalists—10 from ages 13–15 and nine from ages 16–17.
What themes do the winning portraits explore?
- Identity, mental health, conformity, tradition, family relationships, and self-expression.
Where and when can the finalist works be seen?
- At the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., from January 24 to August 30, 2026.