Johanna Alarcón (1992) is a freelance photojournalist and visual storyteller based in Ecuador. Johanna´s work is focused on social justice, human rights, identity, and gender-related issues. She is a World Press Photo Winner, National Geographic Explorer, and member of Ayün Fotógrafas, Visura.Co, Fotoféminas, Women Photograph, and Diversify Photo.
She is an Inge Morath Award Winner, Magnum Foundation Photography and Social Justice Program Fellowship, Community Awareness Award Winner POY International, Joop Swart Masterclass World Press Photo participant, and selected 6x6 Global Talent South America. She is the author of ¨Cimarrona: Soy Negra porque el sol me miró¨ published by KWY. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Smithsonian Magazine, National Geographic, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, Bloomberg, Da Volkskrant, and Reuters, among others. She is a UN Women photographer and was selected for the New York Times portfolio review (2019), Eddie Adams, and Women Photograph Workshop (2019). Her work has been exhibited in World Press Photo Ámsterdam, Verzaca Foto Festival Switzerland, Photoville Festival NYC, Latin American Photography Festival Bronx Documentary Center, and Montevideo Photography Center.
Her recognitions include Photobook of the Year POY Latam, Finalist PH Museum Women Grant, Nominated for Leica Oskar Barnack Award, Winner Health Category POY Latam, FotoEvidence Book Award - CovidLatam, Grantee of COVID-19 Magnum Foundation Found, Open Society and Gabo Foundation's fund for investigations and new narratives on drugs, Will Riera Award, Everyday Projects and Visura Co Mentorship, AECID Africamericanos Grantee Ecuador.
Currently, she works on assignments, teaching, and her projects.
AWARDS - GRANTS
2023 - World Press Photo Regional Winner (Open Format)
2023 - Photographer of the Year Latinamerica, Photobook of the year
2023 - Honorable Mention Gender and Identity POY Latam
2022 - Inge Morath Award Magnum Foundation
2022 - Shortlisted PH Museum Women Photograph Grant
2021 - Selected for Photography and Social Justice Program Magnum Foundation
2021 - Selected National Geographic Explorer
2021 - FotoEvidence & World Press Photo Book Award - CovidLatam
2021 - Grantee of COVID-19 Magnum Foundation Found
2021 - Photographer of the Year International Community Awareness Award
2021 - Photographer of the Year Latinamerica, First Place Health Category
2020 - Selected participant / Joop Swart Masterclass World Press Photo Foundation
2020 - Selected for National Geographic COVID-19 Emergency Found for Journalists as member of Ayün Fotógrafas and Fluxus Foto
2019 – Selected World Press Photo 6X6 Talent South America
Johis Alarcon is a female Ecuadorian photojournalist whose work is focused on socio-cultural humanitarian and gender issues, primarily in Latin America.