Welcome to the Hot Mirror community.

What is HotMirror?

We take our name from the hot mirror—a photographic filter that removes the invisible heat of infrared light, allowing images to come into sharper, truer focus. That’s what we aim to do: bring clarity, depth, and truth to the world of photography.

Hot Mirror is an editorial platform for photographers, picture editors, and others shaping the visual language of our time. We strip away distraction in a world flooded with images, focusing instead on the stories, decisions, and values behind the lens.

We explore the human behind the camera—what drives them, how they got here, and what we can learn from their journey. Through in-depth interviews, critical essays, and curated features, we illuminate not only the work but the lived experiences and motivations of those creating it.

We’re especially committed to amplifying under-represented voices and long-term documentary work that tackles urgent social, cultural, and environmental questions. Whether it’s a rising photographer challenging dominant narratives or a veteran editor reflecting on decades of visual storytelling, Hot Mirror brings their vision—and their voice—into focus.

Because the clearest picture isn’t just the one that looks sharp. It’s the one that tells the truth.

Hot Mirror Team

© Simon Hill

Edition 14
With Frank Meo: Founder of the Projections Program
With Frank Meo: Founder of the Projections Program

Frank has represented photographers for thirty years as business partner, mentor, consultant, advocate and curator. This collaboration has produced hundreds of award-winning ad campaigns, art shows, provocative editorial content and successful books.

The Invisible Hand of Storytelling: Valerio Vincenzo on Editing With Heart and Logic
The Invisible Hand of Storytelling: Valerio Vincenzo on Editing With Heart and Logic

Valerio Vincenzo is the Director of Photography at GEO magazine in France. An Italian-French photographer, he is best known for his project Borderline, les frontières de la paix, which documents 20,000 km of borders without barriers in Europe.

Simon Hill on Passion, Perseverance, and the Future of Photography
Simon Hill on Passion, Perseverance, and the Future of Photography

Simon Hill HonFRPS is a British editorial and documentary photographer, currently serving as President and Chair of Trustees of the Royal Photographic Society. A lifelong member of the RPS, he earned his Fellowship in 1991 and was awarded an Honorary Fellowship in 2021.

An Ode to Flowers by Maral Deghati
An Ode to Flowers by Maral Deghati

Not long ago, shocking images were essential to capture public attention—dramatic scenes of life and trauma, framed as close to the action as possible. These visuals became symbols of human rights, splashed across front pages for a commuting world. But much has changed.

Edition 13
Mary F. Calvert: Uncovering Stories Society Overlooks
Mary F. Calvert: Uncovering Stories Society Overlooks

Photojournalist Mary F. Calvert is dedicated to using photography for meaningful social change, focusing on gender-based human rights issues. She has extensively documented the abuse and relegation of women in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The Future Is Now: Why Glenn Batkin Says Photographers Must Learn to Speak AI
The Future Is Now: Why Glenn Batkin Says Photographers Must Learn to Speak AI

Glenn Batkin stands at the crossroads of traditional creativity and the limitless potential of AI imagery. With an illustrious career as an award-winning Creative Director / Art Director in advertising, Glenn has shaped compelling brand narratives.

Beyond Wildlife: Nick Brandt’s Haunting Portraits of Syrian refugees
Beyond Wildlife: Nick Brandt’s Haunting Portraits of Syrian refugees

Nick Brandt (born 1964) is a British photographer whose work focuses on the impact of environmental destruction and climate breakdown, for both some of the most vulnerable people and for the animal and natural world.

Sally Mann’s At Twelve: Between Innocence and Knowing by Brian Byrd
Sally Mann’s At Twelve: Between Innocence and Knowing by Brian Byrd

Brian Byrd is a freelance photographer with more than two decades of experience advancing communication as a catalyst for social change. He serves on the board of directors for the Overseas Press Club of America and the advisory board for WITNESS, a global NGO founded by musician Peter Gabriel that uses video and digital technology to document human rights violations.

Edition 12
From Courtrooms to Cameras: Debi Cornwall Invites Us to Look Anew
From Courtrooms to Cameras: Debi Cornwall Invites Us to Look Anew

Debi Cornwall is a transdisciplinary documentary artist who returned to visual expression after a twelve-year career as a civil-rights lawyer. Marrying dark humor, rigorous research, and structural critique, she uses still and moving images, testimony, and archival material to examine the fictions fueling America’s idea of itself.

Sakartvelo, Chronicle of a Struggle by Marylise Vigneau
Sakartvelo, Chronicle of a Struggle by Marylise Vigneau

Marylise Vigneau is an award-winning documentary photographer and author, often based between Austria and Pakistan. Raised in a secretive Parisian family, Vigneau developed an early passion for investigation and a deep sense of justice.

When Memory and Images Converse by Brian Byrd
When Memory and Images Converse by Brian Byrd

Brian Byrd is a freelance photographer with more than two decades of experience advancing communication as a catalyst for social change. He serves on the board of directors for the Overseas Press Club of America and the advisory board for WITNESS, a global NGO founded by musician Peter Gabriel that uses video and digital technology to document human rights violations.

Preservation: Michele Curel’s Transition from Portraits to Forests
Preservation: Michele Curel’s Transition from Portraits to Forests

Michele, was born and raised in New York City, where her Argentinian parents both worked and nurtured her love for exploration and discovery. Her father owned a travel agency in the heart of the city, while her mother pursued groundbreaking work as a research biochemist at Mount Sinai Hospital. Their shared passion for travel became a cornerstone of her family life.

Edition 11
Edda Fahrenhorst: Seeing Through Others’ Eyes
Edda Fahrenhorst: Seeing Through Others’ Eyes

Edda Fahrenhorst is a curator and picture editor. She is the artistic director of the environmental photo festival “horizonte zingst” and also curates the year-round exhibition program, including the Leica Gallery, in Zingst. She is also the artistic director of the Yeast Photo Festival in Matino (Puglia/Italy). Edda is also the co-owner of a visual corporate communications agency in Hamburg: Fotogloria | Office for Photographic Collaborations.

“I Will Not Tone It Down” Brenda Keneally on Using Photography to Transform Lives
“I Will Not Tone It Down” Brenda Keneally on Using Photography to Transform Lives

Brenda Ann Kenneally (born October 23, 1959) is an acclaimed American photojournalist and documentary photographer recognized for her work addressing social issues such as poverty, addiction, and the underground drug economy.

Timeless Traditions, Modern Art: Exploring Wedding Photography
Timeless Traditions, Modern Art: Exploring Wedding Photography

Wedding photography is often dismissed as commercial and lacking artistic depth, yet it plays a vital role in documenting personal and cultural memory. Recognizing this, curator Paolo Woods presents “I DO,” an exhibition showcasing exceptional wedding photographers from around the world, each offering unique insights into this overlooked art form.

Bruce Gilden - Why These? An Appreciation by Brian Byrd
Bruce Gilden - Why These? An Appreciation by Brian Byrd

Brian Byrd is a freelance photographer with more than two decades of experience advancing communication as a catalyst for social change. He serves on the board of directors for the Overseas Press Club of America and the advisory board for WITNESS, a global NGO founded by musician Peter Gabriel that uses video and digital technology to document human rights violations.

Edition 10
Stefano De Luigi, Doubt, Vision and Power of Photography
Stefano De Luigi, Doubt, Vision and Power of Photography

Stefano De Luigi is an award-winning documentary photographer known for exploring social and cultural themes, particularly through long-term projects on marginalized communities.

“The Bench”: Simon Beni’s Jerusalem
“The Bench”: Simon Beni’s Jerusalem

British-born photographer and guide Simon Beni has gained international recognition for his striking images of Jerusalem, a city to which he devotes most of his artistic work. His photography goes beyond simple documentation, offering an intimate and layered portrayal of this ancient city.

Valery Poshtarov’s Intimate Journey with Fathers & Sons
Valery Poshtarov’s Intimate Journey with Fathers & Sons

Valery Poshtarov was Born in Bulgaria in 1986 to an artist father and poet mother. Valery was immersed in a world of creativity from a young age. He studied Plastic Arts at the Sorbonne in Paris and was soon nominated for the Cartier-Bresson Award by the Bulgarian Cultural Institute in France.

Catalina Martin-Chico, Revolutions and Rebirths
Catalina Martin-Chico, Revolutions and Rebirths

Catalina Martin-Chico, a photojournalist of Spanish and French descent, began her career after studying at the International Center of Photography in New York. She first made her mark in Yemen, documenting the country's revolution and socio-political landscape for a decade, which earned her the ICRC's Humanitarian Visa d'Or award in 2011.

Edition 9
Tomasz Tomaszewski: Photographer, Educator & Philosopher 
Tomasz Tomaszewski: Photographer, Educator & Philosopher 

Tomasz Tomaszewski has a Ph.D. from the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw and is a member of the Union of Polish Art Photographers, the Visum Archiv Agency of Hamburg, Germany, the National Geographic Creative Agency of Washington D.C., and the American Society of Media Photographers.

Shepherds of the Holy Land: Moshe Schleifer
Shepherds of the Holy Land: Moshe Schleifer

Photographer Moshe Schleifer, the fourth of eleven children, was born in Israel but spent his early years traveling extensively with his family. From the scenic Italian Alps to the pastoral landscapes of Oregon, these diverse experiences shaped his view of the world. Now, at 22, Moshe has returned to the Holy Land, where he lives with his wife. Through his photography, he aims to tell untold stories and offer a fresh, perspective on global stereotypes.

They Don't Look Like Me by Niccolò Rastrelli
They Don't Look Like Me by Niccolò Rastrelli

Niccolò Rastrelli, born in Florence in 1977, is a documentary and portrait photographer who began his journey in photography during his university years after his mother won a camera from a supermarket points collection. He studied photography in Florence and moved to Milan in 2004, focusing his photographic research on people and their identities.

Paul McCartney - from Observed to Observer by Brian Byrd
Paul McCartney - from Observed to Observer by Brian Byrd

Brian Byrd is a freelance photographer with more than two decades of experience advancing communication as a catalyst for social change. He serves on the board of directors for the Overseas Press Club of America and the advisory board for WITNESS, a global NGO founded by musician Peter Gabriel that uses video and digital technology to document human rights violations.

Edition 8
Crises,Tears & Blood: Nicolò Filippo Rosso
Crises,Tears & Blood: Nicolò Filippo Rosso

Nicolò Filippo Rosso is an acclaimed international photographer renowned for his powerful and evocative documentary work. Born in Italy, Rosso developed a passion for visual storytelling early in his life, which led him to pursue a career in photography and journalism. His work predominantly focuses on social, environmental, and humanitarian issues, capturing the raw emotions and resilience of marginalized and vulnerable communities around the world.

Katharina Mouratidi: From Passion to Purpose, Leading a Non Profit Gallery
Katharina Mouratidi: From Passion to Purpose, Leading a Non Profit Gallery

Katharina Mouratidi serves as the artistic director of f³ – freiraum für fotografie, a distinguished non-profit gallery situated in the vibrant heart of Berlin-Kreuzberg. This gallery is dedicated to presenting exceptional photography and visual art that engage with the pressing questions of our times.

Geoffrey Koslov on Curating Excellence
Geoffrey Koslov on Curating Excellence

Geoffrey Koslov co-founded Koslov Larsen, an AiPAD member fine art gallery located in the museum district of Houston, Texas, for contemporary photography-based art. He had served for many years on the Photography Acquisitions Subcommittee for the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH), and the Board of Directors for the Houston Center for Photography (HCP).

Ingmar Björn Nolting: Humanity In Focus
Ingmar Björn Nolting: Humanity In Focus

Ingmar Nolting, born in 1995, is a German documentary photographer whose work transcends the boundaries of traditional photojournalism. Known for his profound ability to capture the essence of human experience, Nolting's images reveal intimate and powerful stories that reflect the complexities of contemporary life.

Edition 7
Paolo Woods: The Artistic Director of Cortona on the Move Festival
Paolo Woods: The Artistic Director of Cortona on the Move Festival

Paolo Woods is a critically acclaimed documentary photographer, filmmaker, and curator whose artistic journey delves into complex global narratives through the lens of his camera. As the author of eight influential books, his work is not only widely exhibited but also deeply respected in the realms of art collection and publishing.

Lars Lindemann: Leading Curator of Photographic Exhibitions & Festivals
Lars Lindemann: Leading Curator of Photographic Exhibitions & Festivals

Lars Lindemann is a Hamburg based curator, exhibition maker and creative director. At the moment he's working on a number of exhibition projects inside and outside of his native Germany. Lars is one of the founders of the Hamburg Portfolio Review and International Projects Curator of the Italian photo festival Cortona On The Move.

Spotlight on: Zed Nelson
Spotlight on: Zed Nelson

Zed Nelson is a renowned British documentary photographer known for his powerful and thought-provoking images. He gained international acclaim for his long-term projects exploring themes such as globalization, consumerism, and the human condition. One of his most notable works is "Love Me," a photographic exploration of the global obsession with beauty and perfection. Nelson's work often delves deep into societal issues, offering viewers a poignant reflection on the world we live in.

Spotlight on: Heather Evans Smith
Spotlight on: Heather Evans Smith

Heather Evans Smith is a distinguished photo-based artist whose evocative work delves deep into themes of southern heritage, motherhood, womanhood, and the vivid imagination fostered during her upbringing as an only child in a secluded rural town. Her compelling photographic narratives often explore poignant themes of memory, loss, and familial bonds, all set within meticulously crafted conceptual environments.

Edition 6
Ivan Shaw: From Intern to Photography Director of Vogue
Ivan Shaw: From Intern to Photography Director of Vogue

After a distinguished twenty-year tenure as Photography Director at US Vogue, Ivan has transitioned to The World of Interiors, taking on the role of Acting Visuals Editor while also managing the US Condé Nast Archive. Ivan's career has been marked by his deep involvement in the history of fashion photography, where he has shared his expertise through numerous lectures across the United States and England.

Andreas Trampe: One of Germany’s Leading Picture Editors
Andreas Trampe: One of Germany’s Leading Picture Editors

Andreas Trampe is a distinguished figure in the world of photojournalism, currently serving as the senior photo editor at Stern, a leading news magazine based in Hamburg, Germany. His journey in the photographic field began humbly as a photo trainee, laying the foundational stones of what would become a remarkable career. Andreas's talent and passion for capturing the essence of moments led him to work as a freelance photojournalist.

Spotlight on: Liang Chen
Spotlight on: Liang Chen

Liang Chen a photographer from Zhenjiang Shi , Guandong , China has embarked on a visual journey across China,"Somewhere Beside the Water '' documenting the breathtaking beauty and undeniable scars of its natural waterscapes through the lens of a medium format film camera.

Spotlight on: Jorge Mónaco
Spotlight on: Jorge Mónaco

Jorge Mónaco is a distinguished Argentinian photographer, recognized for his impactful work that often explores social themes and minority groups. In 2024, he was a finalist in the prestigious Sony World Photography Awards, celebrated for his series titled "Retratos y paisajes" ("Portraits and Landscapes"). This series features compelling imagery that highlights the lives of people from various minority groups, whether defined by ethnicity, religion, or gender.

February 2024
The Secrets of Self Publishing with Musuk Nolte
The Secrets of Self Publishing with Musuk Nolte

Musuk Nolte is a Peruvian Mexican photographer and editor whose work mixes documentary and artistic approaches. He is founder of Kwy Ediciones, an independent photo book publisher for Latin American authors.

Alex Bronfer: Photographing in the Lowest Place on Earth
Alex Bronfer: Photographing in the Lowest Place on Earth

Alexander Bronfer was born in Ukraine studied in St. Petersburg. After arriving to Israel , he lived in a kibbutz in South Israel where he fell in love with the Dead Sea region and desert. His main interest in photography is environmental and sustainability issues and our interaction with nature. Alexander is finalist and winner of multiple international and Israeli photography festivals.

Fred Ritchin: Challenges and Possibilities of the Digital and AI Revolution
Fred Ritchin: Challenges and Possibilities of the Digital and AI Revolution

Fred Ritchin is Dean Emeritus of the International Center of Photography School. He has been picture editor of the New York Times Magazine and has curated numerous exhibitions and collaborations with humanitarian organizations. He is the author of four books on photography. His newest book, The Synthetic Eye, is forthcoming in 2024.

Spotlight on: Angelika Kollin
Spotlight on: Angelika Kollin

Angelika Kollin, born in 1976 in Estonia, is a self-taught Fine Art and Documentary photographer based in Tampa, USA. And is the recipient of BarTur Award Founders Choice 2023 in Faces of humanity category. She focuses on capturing the essence of human connections and intimacy through her lens.

January 2024
BarTur Photo Awards 2023 Winners Announcement
BarTur Photo Awards 2023 Winners Announcement

I am thrilled to kick off the new year by presenting the winners of the BarTur Photo Awards 2023.

Suzanne Stein
Suzanne Stein

Suzanne Stein is a photographer living in Philadelphia and winner of the Founders Choice category of the 2023 BarTur Photojournalist of the Year award. Her work ranges from social documentary projects on drug addiction and mental health to street photography.

Angelika Hala
Angelika Hala

Angelika Hala is a picture editor for Stern Magazine based in New York who has worked closely with photographer Suzanne Stein, also interviewed in this issue. She has spent 15 years as the magazine’s US photo editor and regularly serves on juries and portfolio reviews.

Karin Rehn-Kaufmann
Karin Rehn-Kaufmann

Karin Rehn-Kaufmann is Art Director and Chief Representative of Leica Galleries International. She has curated numerous exhibitions for Leica’s gallery spaces around the world and has served on the jury of the Leica Oskar Barnack Awards since 2008.

November 2023
Seymour Licht
Seymour Licht

Seymour Licht is a psychiatrist and fifth-generation photographer from Germany, now based in New York. His new book, Halloween Underground, features images he made every Halloween for 20 years of costumed revelers in the New York City subway system.

Maryam Saeedpoor
Maryam Saeedpoor

Maryam Saedpoor is an Iranian photographer. Her latest series of theatrically staged portraits explores the suffering and melancholy of women in Iranian society, following the historic protests over the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini in 2022. This interview was translated by Maryam’s nephew Alireza Khaki.

What Judges Are Looking For
What Judges Are Looking For

The annual time of review also coincides fittingly with the season of contest entries. While some competitions, including the BarTur Photo Awards, are ready to announce their winners, others are just starting to accept submissions.

October 2023
Ashley Gilbertson
Ashley Gilbertson

The career arc of Ashley Gilbertson can be considered enviable — regular assignments with The New York Times, a distinguished body of work from the Iraq war, and a reputation for creative, compassionate approaches to tricky social topics.

Judges: Monica Alcazar-Duarte
Judges: Monica Alcazar-Duarte

While editing for submission is a struggle, judging is an equally delicate process. Visual artist Monica Alcazar-Duarte has been involved with the BarTur Award for over 5 years, most recently as a judge for the Climate Change award in 2020 and the Ann Lesley BarTur Award in 2021.

Judges + Winners : Philip Cheung
Judges + Winners : Philip Cheung

Portfolio review season is in full swing, and contest season is nearly upon us. Submissions for The BarTur Award just closed — we will offer an exclusive sneak peek into that judging process in an upcoming issue.

September 2023
James Wellford
James Wellford

Portfolio review season is in full swing, and contest season is nearly upon us. Submissions for The BarTur Award just closed — we will offer an exclusive sneak peek into that judging process in an upcoming issue.

Introducing Hot Mirror: Expanding Perspectives in Photography
Introducing Hot Mirror: Expanding Perspectives in Photography

Dear colleagues and fellow artists / photographers,
As the founder of the BarTur Award and someone deeply invested in the world of photography and design, I have encountered a challenge that I believe many of us can relate to: the struggle of understanding the mindset and expectations of potential clients.