Meet the Winners of our 2022 Rider’s Lens Grants

At long last, we’re happy to announce the recipients of our inaugural Rider’s Lens Grants. This was one of the most challenging contests we’ve ever judged, as there were hundreds of fantastic entries from photographers across the globe. We took our time to carefully review each one in the process. Once semi-finalists were selected, we enlisted five judges to select their top picks based on several criteria, evaluating the photographic and written components of each finalist’s application together.

Ultimately, the results were tallied from each panel member, and five promising photographers were identified based on average votes. You can find a quick introduction to this year’s winners below. But first, we’d like to thank everyone who took the time to send in their work. Challening as it was, we enjoyed reviewing every application, and we appreciate all of your submissions, even if your name isn’t on this list.

Sonny Smith

The grand prize winner of our Rider’s Lens Prime Grant is 33-year-old Sonny Smith from Oxford Hills, Maine. They will be receiving a Fujifilm XT-4 mirrorless camera with two lenses, complete Tanglefoot Cycles Hardtack bicycle, $500 trip stipend, and photographic storytelling mentorship with panel member and professional photographer James Joiner. You can find more of Sonny’s work on Instagram @all_bad_dogs, and see their winning photo submission here.

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Eric Burnside

Eric Burnside is a 24-year-old Mexican American photographer from Los Alamos, New Mexico, and he’ll be receiving one of four Rider’s Lens Range Grants, including a FujiFilm X100V, $250 trip stipend, and photographic storytelling mentorship with James Joiner. You can see more from Eric on Instagram @ericxburnside and find his winning photo submission here.

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Iris Deckers

Originally from Belgium and currently riding to Central Asia, Iris Deckers is a 32-year-old photographer who’ll be receiving one of four Rider’s Lens Range Grants, which includes a FujiFilm X100V, $250 trip stipend, and photographic storytelling mentorship with James Joiner. You can keep up with Iris on Instagram @irispedalseast and see her winning photo submission here.

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Alec Suriyuth

Alec Suriyuth is a 27-year-old photographer from Vancouver, British Columbia, and one of four recipients of a Rider’s Lens Range Grants, which includes a FujiFilm X100V, $250 trip stipend, and photographic storytelling mentorship with James Joiner. You can follow Alec on Instagram @alecsuriyuth and check out his winning photo submission here.

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Marine Martineau

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Based in Sant Pierre on France’s Ile de la Réunion, Marine Martineau is a 36-year-old photographer who will be receiving one of four Rider’s Lens Range Grants, which includes a FujiFilm X100V, $250 trip stipend, and photographic storytelling mentorship with James Joiner. Find Marine on Instagram @marinevoisinage and see her winning photo submission here.

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Stay tuned for more from these folks, as we look forward to seeing what kind of work they come up with using their new cameras, and we hope to share a more detailed look at each winner’s work in the near future. Thanks again to everyone who took the time to apply; we loved being immersed in photos from an incredibly diverse and talented group of riders from all corners of the planet.

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