23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest People
Sunset Silhouettes: Mother and Child

This photograph captures a tender moment at the beach in Aktau, Kazakhstan, where a mother and child are silhouetted against the setting sun. The composition emphasizes the contrast between the figures and the warm, fading light, evoking feelings of intimacy, connection, and the quiet beauty of everyday life. The image celebrates human relationships and the poetic interplay of light, shadow, and environment.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 09.2025
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: Aktau, Kazakhstan
Camera: NIKON Z 30
Copyright: © Nanncie Zhu