21 stunning portraits that just won one of the most prestigious awards in the industry

This year, 2,423 photographers from 66 countries submitted entries to the prestigious portrait contest hosted by the National Portrait Gallery in London.

Since 1993, the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize has awarded and celebrated photographers at every level, including amateurs, emerging photographers, and seasoned professionals.

59 images from a total of 5,717 entries were recognized in this year's edition. The grand-prize winner, photographed by Spanish photojournalist César Dezfuli, was awarded with over $20,000 in prize money. The selected photos will hang in the National Portrait Gallery in London until February 8, 2018.

See a selection of the powerful winning images, below.