Salvation by overall winner Forough Yavari of Australia. Born in Iran during the Iranian revolution, her work focuses on the narrative behind the lives of women. Photograph: Forough Yavaori

International Portrait Photographer of the Year 2023 – in pictures

Photographers of all skill levels have taken part in the competition, with Forough Yavari taking out the overall winning spot with her work Salvation.

Tue 15 Aug 2023 16.00 BST

Mother Goose

Actor Ian McKellen in his West End dressing room as he prepares to perform the character of Mother Goose in a pantomime of the same name.

Photograph: Frederic Aranda

Beck Brothers

Alfred and Paul Beck took over the family printing business at the ages of 17 and 14 respectively. The brothers stand among the machinery that has passed down from generation to generation, reflecting the close bond between the two men. Alfred died late last year.

Photograph: Joseph Smith

Destroy Together

The Spring festival is a major Chinese festival. In Deqing County, Zhaoqing, on the 15th day of the first lunar month, people take turns lighting firecrackers and throwing ‘lions’ until the lions are blown to pieces, praying for peace in all seasons and abundant grain.

Photograph: Haikun Liang

Sonia Herstandez at Home in Havana

I walked past Sonia’s home in Havana and she was happy to let me come in and photograph her. I loved the old furniture and decorations.

Photograph: Jo Kearney

Malevi: Diversity in Beauty

The bugs represent all those who bullied her physically and mentally throughout her life. In the portrait, she is undisturbed by them, almost unaware of their existence. This is Malevi conquering her demons and proudly showcasing her inner and outer beauty.

Photograph: Elena Paraskeva