A Moment with Christina Demertzi: What Makes a Portrait Stand Out

Christina Demertzi is a photographer, content creator and educator known for vibrant, people-focused work across music, fashion and portraiture. She also teaches photographers how to turn their creative work into sustainable careers. This year, she's judging the Portrait: Interesting perspective category at the 2026 Narrative International Photography Awards.

It's a natural fit. Shooting live music rewards the same instinct the category asks for: finding an angle no one else thought to try. We asked Christina what grabs her attention when she's judging, where photographers trip up, and why you should hit submit even if you're unsure.

2026 Portrait: Interesting perspective judge, Christina Demertzi

When you're judging your category, what makes an image stand out, and what makes you move on quickly?

"For me, an image stands out when it has a strong point of view. I'm drawn to photographs that make me feel something immediately, whether that's through composition, light, emotion, or just a really unexpected moment.

Technical perfection is great, but it's never enough on its own. I tend to move on quickly from images that feel overly familiar or technically impressive but don't have a clear sense of personality behind them."

Christina applies the same thinking when she culls her own shows. She walks through her workflow in The Fastest Way to Cull Concert Photos.

Photo by Christina Demertzi

What's a common mistake you see photographers make when choosing which images to enter?

"I think photographers often choose the image they worked hardest on rather than the image that actually says the most. There can be a tendency to overthink it and select something because it feels impressive, when a simpler, more honest photograph might be much stronger.

I'd always encourage photographers to step away from the image for a moment and ask themselves: Would I remember this photograph if I saw it in a room full of hundreds of others?"

What trends are you seeing in your area of photography right now, and is there one you hope will fade?

"I'm seeing a lot more experimentation with flash, direct-camera aesthetics, imperfect framing and images that feel less polished and more immediate. I love that photography is moving away from the idea that everything has to look perfect.

If there's one thing I'd like to see less of, it's images that are clearly following a trend without adding anything personal to it. Trends are great as a starting point, but your own perspective is what makes the work last."

Photo by Christina Demertzi

Tell us about one image, your own or someone else's, that changed how you see your work.

"I've always been influenced by photographs that feel like you're witnessing something rather than being shown something.

I honestly can't name just one image. I follow so many other concert photographers, and I'm constantly inspired by the way they see and capture a show. I'll often come across an image and immediately think, 'I need to try this angle too,' or 'I never would have thought to shoot it like that.'"

Photo by Christina Demertzi

What would you say to a photographer who's on the fence about entering?

"Enter it. I think photographers often wait until they feel like their work is 'good enough,' but there will always be a reason to wait.

Entering is less about proving that you're the best photographer in the room and more about putting your work out there, seeing how it sits alongside other work and giving yourself the chance to be discovered. You might surprise yourself."

Ready to enter?

Thanks to Christina for sharing her perspective. You can see more of her work at christinademertzi.xyz and on Instagram at @demertziphotography.

Christina is judging Portrait: Interesting perspective: an interesting approach to a portrait image. Entries close at 11:59pm ET on October 31, 2026.

Enter the 2026 Narrative International Photography Awards