But the photo hasn't just made her the National Photographic Portrait Prize recipient of 2018 - she also thinks she's now a better person.

Ms Grant has been awarded the prize winner for her portrait titled 'Charlie', which captures a young Canberra man in his 20s.

The photographer spent a month last year taking pictures inside Ainslie Village when she spotted Charlie in a T-shirt which read: "I keep pressing escape but I'm still here".

"I saw him in that awesome T-shirt and I just said 'Oh Charlie you've got to be in the picture, c'mon mate'," she told AAP at the National Portrait Gallery on Friday.

"I knew it was a good photo the moment I shot it ... It was a very sweet, tender moment and I was really excited."

It's hard to get information out of Charlie, she said, but he lives with his Dad, Matt in "The Vil", as it's called.

The photographer, who grew up in Canberra, said she had a lot of fun seeing inside the village, but it was also a challenging experience.

"I think I got more out of it on a very human level than I expected," she said.

At a time when people are caught up in their own lives, seeing inside the village, which began as a homeless service in the 1980s, opened her eyes.

"I think we should treat people in a bit more of a humane and kind way, especially in this city," she said.

"To take time out to think about other people is actually good for you and it makes you a better person.

"I think I came out slightly a better person after this project."

Filomena Rizzo was awarded the Highly Commended prize for her portrait titled 'My Olivia', while the Art Handlers' Award went to Stephanie Simcox for her portrait called 'Joey'.

The gallery's director Angus Trumble said the prize received a record 3300 entries.

The exhibition opens to the public at the National Portrait Gallery on Saturday and is on display until June 17.

Australian Associated Press