Pure Photography Awards (PPA) is an international platform dedicated to celebrating exceptional photography through thoughtfully curated awards and exhibitions. The platform celebrates outstanding photography across Portrait Photography, Travel Photography, Minimalist Photography, Macro & Close-Up Photography, Dog & Cat Photography and Street Photography, with each award judged by internationally respected industry leader and professionals.
Founded by award-winning photographers and curators Dimpy Bhalotia and Kamal Kumaar Rao, creators of Pure Street Photography® (PSP), one of the world’s leading platforms dedicated to street photography, Pure Photography Awards builds on years of experience creating internationally judged awards and curating exhibitions.
The inaugural Portrait Award will be judged by internationally acclaimed photographer Nick Brandt. Winners and finalists will be exhibited in India, continuing the founders’ commitment to bringing world-class photography exhibitions to the public. The previous Awards 2025 exhibition at Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, welcomed more than 25,000 visitors over six days, reaffirming the enduring power of photography experienced in print.
Built on the same commitment to artistic excellence, integrity and independent judging, Pure Photography Awards exists to recognise exceptional photographers and build a lasting legacy for the art of photography.
At its heart, Pure Photography Awards is dedicated to celebrating photography by humans, for humans.
Meet the Founders
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Dimpy Bhalotia
Founder
Dimpy Bhalotia is an internationally acclaimed photographer, curator and creative director based between London and Mumbai. She is one of the leading voices in contemporary photography, celebrated for her unique visual perspective and originality in her photographs.
Her work has been exhibited in over 15 countries, including her solo museum exhibition at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts. She has also been published by The Guardian, The Washington Post, Forbes, BBC, National Geographic and Adobe.
Dimpy also served as Jury President for the Photography discipline at the ADC 103rd Annual Awards (The One Club for Creativity). Her work has received more than 24 international photography awards, establishing her as one of the leading voices behind the most groundbreaking and innovative photographic works of our time.
Wesbite - dimpybhalotia.com
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Kamal Kumaar Rao
Founder
Kamal Kumaar Rao is an award-winning photographer, art director and curator based across London, Mumbai and Delhi. He is celebrated for his refined visual sensibility and thoughtful approach to storytelling through light, form and composition. His practice spans photography, design and art direction, combining creativity with clarity, discipline and emotional intelligence. Kamal serves on the judging panels of several international photography awards, including as a Photography Juror for the prestigious ADC 105th Annual Awards at The Art Directors Club, The One Club for Creativity.
Kamal is also Art Director at Light Wanderers, a creative agency and production house, where he collaborates with Creative Director Dimpy Bhalotia. He has led creative projects for internationally recognised brands including Apple, Penguin Random House UK, Xiaomi, OnePlus and Oppo. His work has also been featured in publications such as PetaPixel, Colossal, AP Magazine, Bored Panda and Mid-Day.
Website - kamalkumaarrao.com
Interior of an art gallery with white walls decorated with framed photographs arranged in a curved layout. The gallery has a shiny floor, ceiling spotlights, and air conditioning vents. In the foreground, part of a large orange flower is visible.
Two people, a woman and a man, standing side by side in an art gallery with framed photos on the white walls. The woman has short light brown hair and is wearing a light blue outfit with floral embroidery, silver sneakers, and jewelry. The man has dark hair, glasses, and a moustache, wearing a blue polo shirt and white pants with beige shoes. They are smiling at the camera.
People viewing and discussing photographs displayed in a gallery setting.
People viewing framed photographs at an art gallery or exhibition.
Multiple groups of people enjoying their time at an art gallery or photo exhibition.
People viewing art photographs in an art gallery.
People at an art gallery viewing and signing books and photographs displayed on walls and pedestals.