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Getty Images and Instagram gave these photographers $10,000 each for documenting underrepresented communities

An image from the series “Child Brides of Shravasti”
An image from the series “Child Brides of Shravasti”
Image: Saumya Khandelwal/Recipient of Getty Images Instagram Grant 2017
By
Johnny Simon
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Getty Images and Instagram announced last week the three recipients of their annual grant for photographers. The $10,000 grant, intended to highlight photographers who both share their projects on Instagram and, in Getty’s words, “tell stories about or elevate communities rarely seen in mainstream outlets, or provided sustained coverage of critical events, even after they have faded from mainstream news cycles,” was awarded to two US based photographers, Isadora Kosofsky and Nina Robinson, and  Indian photographer Saumya Khandelwal.

Nina Robinson: Rural African-American families

A New York and Arkansas based photographer, began her project “Arkansas Family Album” while documenting her family following her grandmother’s passing. It has since grown to incorporate multiple African-American families in her rural Arkansas community.

“A couple of years ago My Uncle Claude, by marriage, and his two brothers started an informal hunting club teaching their nephews and younger boy cousins how to shoot, hunt, and skin a deer. Hunting for them is about bonding, brotherhood, and being out in the woods without ‘the wives.'”
“A couple of years ago My Uncle Claude, by marriage, and his two brothers started an informal hunting club teaching their nephews and younger boy cousins how to shoot, hunt, and skin a deer. Hunting for them is about bonding, brotherhood, and being out in the woods without ‘the wives.'”
Image: Nina Robinson/Recipient of Getty Images Instagram Grant 2017
“Out of everyone in my family, my little cousin Jaishon is probably the most difficult to photograph.  He hates me taking pictures and isn’t shy about mentioning it.  I don’t shoot every day, but sometimes, for my family, just the camera in my hand can be a lot.  And then there are moments like these—the evening light gently kissing his eye as we drive through rural Arkansas.”
“Out of everyone in my family, my little cousin Jaishon is probably the most difficult to photograph.  He hates me taking pictures and isn’t shy about mentioning it.  I don’t shoot every day, but sometimes, for my family, just the camera in my hand can be a lot.  And then there are moments like these—the evening light gently kissing his eye as we drive through rural Arkansas.”
Image: Nina Robinson/Recipient of Getty Images Instagram Grant 2017
“Aunt Jean poses in front of a row of red canna lily’s outside of my grandmother’s home reflecting back on childhood memories in Dalark, Arkansas.”
“Aunt Jean poses in front of a row of red canna lily’s outside of my grandmother’s home reflecting back on childhood memories in Dalark, Arkansas.”
Image: Nina Robinson/Recipient of Getty Images Instagram Grant 2017

Isadora Kosofsky: Juvenile incarceration

An LA-based photographer, Kosofsky focuses on social issues in the United States. One of her standout photo essays, “Vinny and Mike” depicts the incarcerations of 13-year-old Vinny and his older brother Mike, over the course of 5 years.

Brothers Vinny and David, then ages 15 and 21, stand together before a summer storm in Raton, New Mexico.
Brothers Vinny and David, then ages 15 and 21, stand together before a summer storm in Raton, New Mexico.
Image: Isadora Kosofsky/Recipient of Getty Images Instagram Grant 2017
Vinny, age 13, cries during a visit with Eve at the Bernalillo County Juvenile Detention Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. “ Mom, just get me out. Just get me out, Mom,” says Vinny. Vinny confides, “When my mom was being beat up, I was so scared. I wanted to defend my mom. I’m tired of seeing my mom get hurt.”
Vinny, age 13, cries during a visit with Eve at the Bernalillo County Juvenile Detention Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. “ Mom, just get me out. Just get me out, Mom,” says Vinny. Vinny confides, “When my mom was being beat up, I was so scared. I wanted to defend my mom. I’m tired of seeing my mom get hurt.”
Image: Isadora Kosofsky/Recipient of Getty Images Instagram Grant 2017
Vinny, age 16, tickles his younger brother Michael as Vinny’s girlfriend Krystle rests her head on his back during a temporary visit with his siblings at the motel where they live with their father. Eve, Vinny’s mother, and Elycia, Vinny’s sister, lean against each other as they watch a cartoon program (right). “I feel happy when I’m with my mom, little siblings, and my older brother. I make the best of what I have,” says Vinny.
Vinny, age 16, tickles his younger brother Michael as Vinny’s girlfriend Krystle rests her head on his back during a temporary visit with his siblings at the motel where they live with their father. Eve, Vinny’s mother, and Elycia, Vinny’s sister, lean against each other as they watch a cartoon program (right). “I feel happy when I’m with my mom, little siblings, and my older brother. I make the best of what I have,” says Vinny.
Image: Isadora Kosofsky/Recipient of Getty Images Instagram Grant 2017
Vinny, age 13, punches trashcans behind his aunt’s home in Northern New Mexico. The Juvenile Court ordered that Vinny live with his aunt after his release from juvenile detention.
Vinny, age 13, punches trashcans behind his aunt’s home in Northern New Mexico. The Juvenile Court ordered that Vinny live with his aunt after his release from juvenile detention.
Image: Isadora Kosofsky/Recipient of Getty Images Instagram Grant 2017

Saumya Khandelwal: Child brides

An India-based photographer, Khandelwal documented young girls forced into marriage in India’s Uttar Pradesh state in “Child Brides of Shravasti.”

Nirma, 16, married to Rakesh. Nirma stays at her own house, but talks to Rakesh on phone sometimes. He talks to her about his friends and school. She aspires to graduate, and eventually become a doctor.
Nirma, 16, married to Rakesh. Nirma stays at her own house, but talks to Rakesh on phone sometimes. He talks to her about his friends and school. She aspires to graduate, and eventually become a doctor.
Image: Saumya Khandelwal/Recipient of Getty Images Instagram Grant 2017
Suman Nishad, 11, married. Suman didn’t know of her marriage until the ceremony took place. Her friends recall that she would not stop crying. Despite that, Suman hasn’t discussed her marriage either with family or her friends.
Suman Nishad, 11, married. Suman didn’t know of her marriage until the ceremony took place. Her friends recall that she would not stop crying. Despite that, Suman hasn’t discussed her marriage either with family or her friends.
Image: Saumya Khandelwal/Recipient of Getty Images Instagram Grant 2017
Muskaan [a pseudonym], is 14 years old and is getting married to Raju [also a pseudonym], 21 years old. Muskaan loves to wear a sari and is glad that she is getting a chance to wear it on her wedding. She is excited to see all her friends come to her house for the occasion. She has no definitive answer when asked about how she feels about her wedding.
Muskaan [a pseudonym], is 14 years old and is getting married to Raju [also a pseudonym], 21 years old. Muskaan loves to wear a sari and is glad that she is getting a chance to wear it on her wedding. She is excited to see all her friends come to her house for the occasion. She has no definitive answer when asked about how she feels about her wedding.
Image: Saumya Khandelwal/Recipient of Getty Images Instagram Grant 2017