Honorable Mention / 2024 / Portraiture / Culture

• Photographer
  Hemi Kerem, Israel
• Website
  https://www.hemikerem.com/
• Instagram
  https://www.instagram.com/hemi_kerem_photography/

In Orthodox Jewish communities, young boys traditionally have "payot" (sidelocks) and a shaved or bald head, which signifies turning away from material pursuits towards a life of Torah studying and spirituality. This photo was taken on the streets of Bnei Brak, a city known for its large population of Orthodox communities, situated just a few minutes from western liberal city of Tel Aviv.

Hemi Kerem is a cultural documentary photographer Based in Israel. He uses his camera to explore human culture, identity and Rituals around the globe.
From the early 2000’s, Kerem started his journeys, exploring and documenting breathtaking moments, Moving from The United States to the United Kingdom, Germany, Ireland, India, Nepal, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia Vietnam, China and many more.
Hemi Kerem holds a B.A. in Media Studies from The College of Management Academic center (The COLLMAN), some of his works have been published by A-list media entities such as YNET, MAKO, prints and exhibitions.