Maheder Haileselassie (b. 1990) is a self taught Ethiopian photographer/visual artist born and based in Addis Ababa.
This year, she has won CAP Prize 2023 and has been shortlisted for Grand Prix Images Vevey 2023/24 and Phmuesum grant.
Maheder’s works have been exhibited at numerous venues, museums and festivals around the world and she has been accepted to outstanding programs such as World Press Photo Masterclass and New York Times Portfolio review.
Moreover, she had collaborated with institutions such as Frobenius Institute, EiABC and Goethe Institut on projects that look into the intersection between photography, history, anthropology and architecture.
Maheder welcomes the opportunity to document women's issues, showcase or celebrate communities that are finding paths to self sufficiency, explore rural/urban challenges and potentials that involve youth, health, agriculture or technology.
She has years of experience working with numerous international NGOs, cultural centers and news outlets such as AFP, Reuters, Getty Images and Mongabay to report on social, political and environmental issues, primarily in East Africa.
Maheder is also a contributor for the internationally-acclaimed group Instagram feed, @everydayafrica and runs Center for Photography in Ethiopia, a critical learning platform for emerging photographers.
Email: mahederhaile@gmail.com
Clients
Maheder has vast experience working with non-profit organizations documenting various activities. Her client list includes but not limited to IRC, Save the Children, WomanKind Worldwide, Plan International, Tree Aid, Farm Africa, Action Aid, WHO Africa, NABU, Amnesty International, Fair Trade Africa, HCP, Barefoot Initiative, All We Can, Gavi, etc...
Exhibitions
Lagos Photo Festival, Fellowship within the uncanny, 2023
OZANGÉ, the Spanish Biennial of African Photography. Spain, 2023
More than a number. Ffotogallery. UK,2021
Latitudes Online Art Fair, 2020
1-54 art fair London, The Photographic Collective. UK, 2020
Home;Heimat;Baxxe. Museum Bautzen. Germany, 2020
Kigali Photo Festival. Rwanda, 2019
Jakarta International Photo Festival. Indonesia, 2019
Shoa: A Geographical Passion. Ethiopia, 2019
Black Magic Women. Italy, 2019
Image Festival Amman. Jordan, 2017
Stories. Egypt, 2017
Inspiring women, Goethe Institute. Ethiopia, 2017
In Quest for. Uganda, 2017
Intangible Cultural Heritages. UN ECA Hall. Ethiopia, 2016
Tales on Ethiopia. Italy, 2016
Addis Foto Fest. Ethiopia, 2016
Photojournalists in Conflict, World Press Freedom Day Celebration. Finland,2016
Awards
CAP Prize 2023 - The Contemporary African Photography Prize
EAPA - East African Photography Awards, 2nd place.
Grants
Prince Claus Mobility Fund, 2019
Freelancers in the Residence program for writers - Mongabay, 2019
Creative Futures, European Union through the Goethe Institut, 2017Curation
Publications Edited
Baxxe ፤ Home - Present day and Archival Photographs from Gedeo - Nov 2019
Against Gravity- On recent photography in Ethiopia - May 2018
Presentations
DW Global Media Forum. Germany, 2019
Ray Festival. Germany,2018
World Press Photo. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Press Clips
Climate change and Child Marriage - The Guardian
In Conversation -Maheder Haileselassie - Jabulani Dhlamini - The Photographic Collective
These 14 women are shattering stereotypes of Africa one photo at a time - Matador Network
Conversation with Maheder Haileselassie - The Police Project
The Lit List: 30 Photographers to watch and hire - Authority Collective
Photographer captures the intensity and emotion of childbirth - Ethiopian Observer
Meet the Masterclass East Africa: Maheder Haileselassie - World Press Photo
Membership