Ethiopia : Maheder Haileselassie Tadese, photographer of the human condition

Maheder Haileselassie Tadese is an Ethiopian documentary photographer, a visual artist committed to amplifying the voices of marginalized communities. Her works have been rewarded with several accolades and recognitions.

Maheder discovered her passion for photography while she was studying civil engineering at university. As she used to photograph her friends with her BlackBerry phone, she gradually developed a passion for photography and dedicated her career to it. From a mere hobby, photography has become a tool allowing her to tackle social issues. The Ethiopian photographer draws her inspiration from places, history, and identity, but also from her memories and people. Through her work, she documents women’s issues, showcases communities finding pathways to self-sufficiency, and explores potentials involving youth, health, agriculture, and technology.

In one of her works, she chronicled the effect of climate change on Somalian young girls. Her efforts earned her to be ranked in the BBC’s 2024 list of 100 inspiring women as a « climate pioneer. ». In 2019, she established the Center for Photography in Ethiopia, a learning and discussion platform for young Ethiopian photographers.

She has worked as a photographer for organizations such as AFP, Reuters, Getty Images, Le Monde, Der Spiegel… She has also participated in prestigious programs such as the New York Times Portfolio Review 2019 and the World Press Photo Masterclass East Africa.

 In 2023, Haileselassie’s project « Between Yesterday and Tomorrow », exploring the interplay of history, identity, and memory in Ethiopia, won the Contemporary African Photography Prize. In 2024, she received the prestigious Seydou Keita Grand Award during the biennial « Rencontres de Bamako ».

Maheder Haileselassie Tadese was also shortlisted for the Grand Prix Images Vevey 2023/24.