Leica Camera AG is the new cooperation partner of “UNICEF Photo of the Year”

Leica Camera AG (Solms, Germany) is the new sponsor and cooperation partner of the international photo contest “UNICEF Photo of the Year”. This annual contest has been held by UNICEF Germany and GEO Magazine since 2000.

The main focus of the competition is on documentary photography: the award is given to photographers whose work captures the personalities and living conditions of children around the world in an outstanding manner. The contest aims to raise the public awareness of children’s lives and not to overlook children in difficult situations who are in need of help.

Alfred Schopf, CEO of Leica Camera AG: “It was Oskar Barnack, inventor of the Leica camera who made this exact form of observation, documentary photography, at all possible in the first place. Thanks to him cameras became small, handy and portable – able to capture those special moments. And such special moments are exactly what the participants in UNICEF’s “Photo of the Year” competition show in their work - which is a great reason to support this photo contest.”

Karin Rehn-Kaufmann, Creative Director of the Leica Gallery in Salzburg, Austria, joins other renowned personalities as a jury member for this competition. “The array of topics ranges from situations of horror and despair to moments of lightheartedness, lust for life and sheer will to survive. Often, the photos are the first to draw public attention to certain social changes. They also continue to show developments and flashpoints even after the media’s attention has long since shifted to more recent news. The message of these photos is clear: it is indispensable that we care for children’s present and future needs”, states Karin Rehn-Kaufmann.

In order to take part in the photo contest, the photographers have to be recommended by an internationally renowned photography expert. In recent years, photographers from more than 50 countries and from all continents have handed in their works. These pictures were taken at the request of international photo agencies and worldwide renowned magazines or self-financed and on the photographers’ own initiative. The photos are characterised by enormous personal commitment. Sometimes the photographers accompany children with their camera over a long time in everyday situations. In doing so, they often risk their own lives in conflict areas.

UNICEF is the United Nations Children’s Fund. The German Committee for UNICEF e.V. is one of its main pillars. In Germany alone, more than 8,000 volunteers support the fight for children's rights. UNICEF helps children to get access to education, medical treatment, clean drinking water and sufficient food. UNICEF is committed to protecting children around the world from exploitation and violence.
www.unicef.de und www.unicef.de/foto

Leica Camera AG is an internationally active, premium-segment manufacturer of cameras and sport optics products. The legendary status of the Leica brand is founded on a long tradition of excellence in the construction of lenses. And today, in combination with innovative technologies, Leica products continue to guarantee better pictures in all situations in the worlds of visualisation and perception. Leica Camera AG has its headquarters in Solms, in the state of Hesse in Germany, and a second production site in Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal. The company operates branch offices in England, France, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland, South Korea and the USA. New and innovative products have been the driving force behind the company's positive development in recent years. For more than 30 years, Leica Camera AG has presented the annual “Leica Oskar Barnack Award” as part of its cultural projects. The Award symbolizes the unique photographic culture for which Leica is known worldwide.
www.leica-camera.com

GEO is the German-speaking countries’ leading reportage magazine. It features a unique mixture of powerful photography and articles of the highest quality. GEO reports extensively and vividly about the essential goals, changes and passions here on planet Earth. Its reports deal with the most important scientific trends as well as mainstream political and religious developments and the dominating issues in areas such as environment, resources, demographics and technology. GEO has supported the competition “UNICEF Photo of the Year” from the very beginning – and honours the annual winner with an order for a photo reportage for GEO Magazine.
www.geo.de

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us:

Andreas Dippel, Leica Camera AG, Press and Public Relations, Phone: 0049-6442-208-403

Maike Pelikan, Communication GEO/art, Phone: 0049-40-3703-2157

Angela B. Rupprecht, Project Management “UNICEF Photo of the Year”, Phone: 0049-173-5475341