American Photography 38 Winners

Wedding Party at Awwam Temple, Marib, Yemen

Members of a wedding party made up of local tribesmen loyal to Yemen’s government visit the ruins of the Awwam Temple, in Marib. Wedding Party at Awwam Temple, Marib, Yemen. July 2021. Members of a wedding party made up of local tribesmen loyal to Yemen’s government visit the ruins of the Awwam Temple, in Marib, to take photos. The ancient temple is one of the most important surviving monuments of the Kingdom of Saba, which ruled southern Arabia from about the 11th century B.C. to the third century A.D. and has been linked by some historians to the biblical land of Sheba. The antiquities, on the edge of the most hotly contested part of Yemen, remain at risk as Iran-backed Houthi rebels continue their fight to take over Marib.

Pope Francis’ historic visit to Iraq, seen through a photographer’s eyes

Pope Francis’ historic visit to Iraq, seen through a photographer’s eyes. March 2021. Pope Francis is welcomed at the presidential palace in Baghdad shortly after the pontiff’s arrival in Iraq on March 5, 2021. Francis is the first pope to visit Iraq. “I am coming as a pilgrim, as a penitent pilgrim, to implore from the Lord forgiveness and reconciliation after years of war and terrorism, to beg from God the consolation of hearts and the healing of wounds,” Francis said in a greeting to the people of Iraq before his visit.

Pope Francis’ historic visit to Iraq, seen through a photographer’s eyes

Nuns overlooking Church of the Immaculate Conception in Qaraqosh, Iraq. Pope Francis’ historic visit to Iraq, seen through a photographer’s eyes. March 2021. Nuns stand on a roof and attempt to glimpse Pope Francis as he leaves the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Qaraqosh. Due to security concerns, guards often closed the streets surrounding each event and ushered the pope from location to location in bulletproof vehicles.