"A cultural legacy passed down from generation to generation. At the heart of the Lambe Sujo and Caboclinhos Festival in Sergipe, a boy looks out at the world through the lens of his heritage," says photographer about multi-award-winning street shot

Black and white photo of shirtless, wet individuals standing close together, with one young person looking directly at the camera.

Fresh off winning an All About Photo Award, Cesare Simioni's powerful black-and-white image Soul Beneath the Paint has picked up another major award. The image of a young boy has now been named the Grand Winner of the Black and White category at the Pure Street Photography Awards 2026.

Simioni captured the moment during Lambe-Sujo e Caboclinhos – a traditional street theater deeply rooted in the northeastern state of Sergipe. At the center of the photo, a young boy stares directly into Simioni's lens, creating a striking focal point.