Maria Marriott earns two reFocus Awards honors for Arctic image Zenith

Nature photographer Maria Marriott received two Honorable Mentions at the 2026 reFocus Awards for her black-and-white image “Zenith,” recognized in both the Minimalism and Abstract categories. The win adds visibility to her Arctic: The Edge of Silence series and to the global competition that spotlights fine art photography.

Why it matters: - Maria Marriott’s double Honorable Mention at the 2026 reFocus Awards gives added recognition to a single Arctic image across two categories. - The result broadens attention on black-and-white fine art photography and on Marriott’s Arctic: The Edge of Silence series. - The competition is international, so the honor places Marriott’s work in a global field of entries.

What happened: - Maria Marriott received Honorable Mentions in the Minimalism and Abstract categories for her image “Zenith.” - The recognition came from the 2026 reFocus Awards Black and White Photography Competition. - The image was singled out for its composition and interpretation of the polar wilderness. - The awards were announced from Carson City, Nevada, on September 11, 2026.

The details: - “Zenith” is part of Marriott’s larger fine art series, Arctic: The Edge of Silence. - The image is described as capturing the scale of the far north and creating a dreamlike landscape centered on ice, sky and time. - Marriott said the Arctic’s silence and scale shaped the creative perspective behind the series. - Marriott released behind-the-scenes footage showing the expedition and artistic process behind the series behind-the-scenes footage. - Viewers can explore the image and collection at the Arctic: The Edge of Silence collection. - The full competition details and winners are available at the reFocus Awards contest page.

Between the lines: - A double mention in separate categories suggests “Zenith” was strong both as a minimalist composition and as an abstract image. - The recognition also reinforces the commercial and artistic value of behind-the-scenes storytelling around a major photo series. - The reFocus Awards position themselves as an artist-first platform focused on contemporary photography and visual storytelling.

What’s next: - Marriott is directing attention to the full Arctic series and supporting video material. - The reFocus Awards will continue to highlight winners and finalists across its photography competitions. - Marriott’s work is likely to benefit from the added exposure through her website and social channels.