The DPPF is proud to announce its 2023 group of grant and mentorship recipients! These seven emerging professional sports photographers represent the top candidates from a competitive field of entrants from 48 countries. They were chosen by a panel of seven judges from the DPPF’s Advisory Board.
See grant recipient bios and portfolios
Michael Chisholm is a Toronto-based sports photographer who works for the Canadian Premier League, Major League Baseball, and the National Hockey League. He graduated from Seneca College in 2020.
Luke Hales is currently the photography intern for the National Football League in Los Angeles. He is also pursuing a bachelor’s degree in communication & media at the University of Michigan, where he works at Michigan Photography.
Sara Kempner is a freelance photographer based on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada. Initially a self-taught landscape photographer, Sara now spends most of her time photographing sports, with a heavy focus on mountain biking.
Tyler McFarland is working as a photographer for Boise State Athletics. He is expected to graduate in 2024. He has experience in both commercial editorial photography and photojournalism.
Gabriel Monnet is a Swiss photographer who graduated from the Centre d’enseignement professionnel de Vevey in 2021. He currently works as a freelance photographer for various newspapers, magazines, and agencies, and for private clients.
Julia Nikhinson is a Maryland-based freelance photojournalist, frequently shooting for The Associated Press, Reuters, The Washington Post, The New York Times and others. After graduating from the University of Maryland, Julia interned with The Associated Press.
Will Palmer is a UK-based freelance photographer and University of York graduate working across multiple sports, specializing in football, cycling and field hockey with assignments both in the UK and abroad.