Quebec-Based Photographer Receives World Press Photo Award

For the first time in a quarter-century, a photographer from Quebec has clinched the esteemed World Press Photo photography competition, marking a significant milestone in the province’s photographic landscape.

Charles-Frédérick Ouellet, a documentary photographer, emerged victorious in the North and Central America region’s “single images” category. The announcement was made by the World Press Photo Montreal Expo team on Wednesday, heralding Ouellet’s achievement.

Ouellet’s winning photograph captures a poignant moment amidst the forest fires that ravaged Quebec during the summer of 2023. The black-and-white image, originally featured in The Globe and Mail, depicts an auxiliary firefighter named Théo Dagnaud scanning the horizon during a patrol. The photo, titled “A Day in the Life of a Quebec Fire Crew,” encapsulates a profound silence, offering a glimpse into humanity’s interconnectedness with the natural world.

Reflecting on his award-winning image, Ouellet expressed the significance of recognizing humanity’s symbiotic relationship with the environment. He emphasized the pivotal role of understanding nature for our survival, encapsulated in the quiet contemplation depicted in the photograph.

Ouellet’s photograph will be showcased at the World Press Photo Montreal Expo at Bonsecours Market from August 28 to October 14, as well as during the exhibition’s stops in various cities throughout 2024.

The Montreal team underscored the historical significance of Ouellet’s win, recalling that in 1999, Roger Lemoyne became the first Quebecer to secure a prize in the international photography competition. Ouellet’s achievement thus adds another chapter to Quebec’s rich legacy in the realm of visual storytelling and photography.