New awards to showcase how business can transform lives
The LBS Photography Awards will celebrate organisations that positively impact communities and the environment
London Business School’s (LBS) student-run Photography Club has launched a competition to explore how doing business transforms lives, the environment and communities across the globe.
The LBS Photography Awards, organised in partnership with Canon, is open to everyone from amateur snappers to professionals working freelance or within a company.
“Organisations have the power to shape our society and our lives,” said Daniele Molteni, MBA student and President of the LBS Photography Club. “Imagine the impact that new technology for producing safe cooking fuel has on an African community, or how a London-based restaurant changes lives by only employing young disadvantaged people.
“Photojournalism plays a key role in encouraging, strengthening and influencing the narrative around these topics. The idea behind the LBS Photography Awards is to tell winning stories through powerful imagery to promote life-changing projects.
Entrants should submit five to 10 photos showing the impact businesses have on society in one of three categories:
Human Development
Purposeful organisations drive human development by fostering innovation and generating shared value for society. Images in this category will capture how new business products and services enable individuals or people to overcome sustainability challenges and provide social development.
Environment, Energy and Resources
Photos in this category will explore how companies that embrace new business models and develop disruptive innovations can positively affect the environment and reduce or reverse human damage.
Community Engagement
Businesses that engage with their local community can reflect and reinforce civil society. Pictures for this category will showcase how corporate decisions go beyond employees and clients to support communities in a meaningful way.
“It’s not just about showcasing beautiful images; we’re looking for visual storytelling that digs deep into the key issues humanity is facing,” Molteni said.
“Photographers can focus on stories and topics ranging from first-world local communities to developing countries, from global corporations to family businesses and start-ups. The aim is to show that businesses can be a force for positive change.”
An exhibition of the best and most powerful images will be held in February 2018 at LBS. A panel of judges comprising LBS academics and representatives from prestigious photo agencies will announce the winner (Best Story) and two runners up from each category at the event.
Individual winners will receive a £2,000 cash prize. A team of MBA students from LBS will carry out pro bono consultancy work – ranging from business planning to sustainable strategy or social responsibility – at organisations represented by winning photographers.
