THE most popular People’s Choice award ever in the National Photographic Portrait Prize’s goes to Natalie Grono from Byron Bay, it has just been announced.

From 10,000 votes cast during the exhibition’s run, both in the exhibition space and through the website, Grono’s photograph “Feather and the Goddess Pool” 2014 was a clear winner.

NPG senior curator and one of the judges, Christopher Chapman, commented that “The portrait of Feather was a popular favourite with exhibition visitors. It conveys a strong sense of her bold character and her connection to the natural environment of Byron Bay. The photograph uses black-and-white tones to create a dynamic layering of surfaces: ruffled water, crinkled rocks, and the texture of Feather’s own skin.”

Grono says, “I am thrilled to be chosen from this field of remarkable photographers. I am excited that the portrait of Feather resonated with so many people and I thank Feather for her confidence and wisdom!

SUNSTUDIOS will provide her with a day’s studio hire in either Melbourne or Sydney valued at $2,000.

The final 46 portraits in the exhibition were chosen from 2500 entries from around Australia – the most entries ever received. This year’s judges. Angus Trumble, NPG director, Chapman and guest judge, professional photographer Nikki Toole, had previously awarded the $25,000 cash prize to Hoda Afshar for “Portrait of Ali” 2014.

The full list of finalists is available at portrait.gov.au/nppp.

The National Photographic Portrait Prize 2015 exhibition will now embark on a North Queensland tour to Artspace Mackay, Cairns Regional Gallery, Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery and Rockhampton Art Gallery.