A Melbourne photographer has secured one of the most prestigious photography accolades in Australia , the National Photographic Portrait Prize from the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra . Hoda Afshar , 31 , was awarded $ 25,000 for Ali , an atmospheric and dreamy vision of a young boy wondering down a foggy pathway in a mountainous Middle Eastern village . Ms Afshar beat 43 other finalists , selected from a record 2500 entries from across the country , in a unanimous verdict from the judges , who praised the dream-like quality of the work . Ali , the winner of the 2015 National Photographic Portrait Prize.The atmospheric vision captures a young boy wondering down a foggy pathway in a mountainous Middle Eastern village . Hoda Afshar , 31 , was awarded $ 25,000 in a unanimous verdict from the judges . She beat beat 43 other finalists , selected from a record 2500 portrait entries from across Australia . The Melbourne photographer returned to her native land of Iran eight years ago in the hope of documenting elusive walks of life . And that 's exactly what happened when she stumbled upon a mysterious community living in the mountains . 'It exists above the clouds about three hours ' drive up a mountain and you get to this heavenly , dreamy sort of village that I have to say is like a forgotten place , and there 's no electricity , no technology , nothing – people have a different sort of lifestyle , ' she told Sydney Morning Herald . When she spotted the young boy wandering down the path , Ms Afshar captured the image on an old fashioned camera . She told ABC that while she knew she had taken a great shot at the time , she had to wait to return to Australia to see the image in all its glory . 'It 's a moment I think every photographer experiences , ' she said . 'You know you have something special in there . ' Feather , Natalie Grono , an image of a 78-year-old Byron Bay local . The competition drew entries from professional photographers , self-portraitists , and amateurs alike . Sebastien Malone , taken by award-winning international photographer Juliet Taylor . New York based commercial and fine art photographer Michael Kennedy 's entry Tom & Pepper . Miss Harnaam Kaur , Brock Elbank 's portrait of 23-year-old bearded woman Harnaam Kaur , who comes from Slough , Berkshire . Ms Afshar , who studied photography in Tehran before moving to Australia , plans to use the prize money to go abroad and show her works to a wider audience . The judges praised the dream like quality of the work , deeming it to be deeply compelling . The panel also impressed by the runner-up , Barry and Alkirra , taken by Newcastle photographer Katherine Williams . The dramatic black and white image depicts of a 17-year-old boy cradling his brand newborn baby daughter . The competition drew entries from professional photographers , self-portraitists , and amateurs alike . An exhibition of the finalists will be shown at the National Portrait Gallery until June 8 before touring nationally . Competition runner-up , Barry and Alkirra , taken by Newcastle photographer Katherine Williams , depcts a 17-year-old boy holding his newborn baby . Williams poses next to her entry . Judges were taken aback by the dramatic black and white image depicts of a 17-year-old boy cradling his brand newborn baby daughter . Divine , which comes from Melbourne based Commercial Photographer Hugh Peachey . My friend Sui ’ s dear mum , Mrs Chan , which comes from 2012 National Photographic Portrait Prize winner Rod McNicol . Marzena Wasikowska 's Danny , Dan , Mia , Kai , John , a candid shot of the Canberra based Wasikowska family . Who 's that lady ( 2014 ) by Ferne Millen .
Melbourne photographer Hoda Afshar , June 8 , was awarded $ 25,000 for Ali in a unanimous verdict from the judges . The image depicts an atmospheric vision of a young boy wondering down a foggy pathway in a mountainous village . The Iranian migrant beat 43 other finalists , selected from a record 2500 portrait entries from across Australia . The Melbourne photographer captured the image after stumbling upon a mountainous village while travelling in Iran . An exhibition of the finalists will be shown at the National Portrait Gallery until 31 before touring nationally .