Capturing Traditions: Gabriele T. Enna's Award-Winning Documentary & People Photography

In a stellar recognition of talent and artistry, Gabriele T. Enna has been awarded the Silver Award in the Documentary & People Photography category at the prestigious 2025 Autumn Season of the World Grand Prix Photography Awards for his riveting piece, "Whispers of Tradition." Gabriele, originally from Italy and now residing in Japan, has cultivated a deep appreciation for Japanese festivals, particularly the vibrant "Matsuri." His work is characterized by a blend of technical proficiency and emotional storytelling, allowing viewers to connect deeply with his subjects and their rich traditions. Enna's artistic philosophy rests on the harmony between technique and emotion, as he aims to transport audiences into the moments he captures.

Q: What inspired you to take this award-winning photo? Is there a story behind the piece you’d like to share?

Gabriele: As an Italian living in Japan, I’ve always been fascinated by Japanese traditional festivals, the so-called “Matsuri”. They are completely different from those I was used to seeing in Italy. They are noisy, lively, and full of energy, whether they take place in the streets, in squares, or in temples. This purification ritual, however, was unlike the usual Matsuri: it was calm and deeply spiritual, with priests performing a long ceremony consisting of many stages. This photo captures the moment of transition between the first “physical” purification and the entrance into the temple for the spiritual phase.

Q: Were there any challenges during the process of creating this series or image? How did you navigate them?

Gabriele: Apart from the unstable spring weather, which occasionally brought some rain and probably kept the crowd smaller, the biggest challenge was understanding what the next steps of the ritual would be. Fortunately, I was able to ask some of the other photographers present, who kindly helped me and shared some advice.

Q: How do you approach the balance between technical skill and emotional/artistic expression in your photography?

Gabriele: For me, technical skill and artistic expression are two sides of the same coin. I try to make the technical side serve the emotional side. Technique gives structure; emotion gives soul. When both are in harmony, that’s when a photograph truly connects with people.

Q: What message or feeling do you hope your photography conveys to viewers?Gabriele: My goal is to let viewers see and feel what I experienced in that moment. I want to convey the energy and devotion that these rituals require — to the point that, by simply looking at the photo, one can almost imagine hearing the music of that exact instant.

Q: In your view, what role does photography play in today’s world?Gabriele: Today, everyone carries a camera in their pocket, and taking a picture of anything has become normal, almost taken for granted. In the past, however, photography was an art for a few — every shot told a story, showed memories, experiences, distant places, and… dreams. That’s what I wish for photography today: to convey less information, and more emotions.

Greetings from Tokyo

The World Grand Prix Photography Awards is an esteemed international competition that celebrates exceptional talent in photography. The mission of the awards is to recognize and honor the creativity and innovation of artists from around the globe, empowering them to share their unique visions and stories through the medium of photography.

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