Discover the 50 Award-Winning Images from All About Photo Awards 2025! (Part I)

The All About Photo Awards 2025 has unveiled its 50 winning images, highlighting the extraordinary vision and creativity of photographers from around the world. Now in its tenth year, the competition attracted thousands of submissions from over 40 countries, reaffirming its place as one of the most inclusive and far-reaching photo contests in the world.

This year’s winners offer a striking cross-section of contemporary photography. From deeply personal moments to urgent social commentary, from the raw beauty of the natural world to bold conceptual explorations, each image tells a compelling story. Together, they form a powerful collective portrait of our times—complex, emotional, and constantly evolving.

What sets these photographs apart is not only their technical excellence but their ability to connect. Each winning image draws viewers into a unique narrative, offering fresh perspectives and shining a light on issues that are often overlooked. In a world saturated with images, these works stand out. They ask us to pause, reflect, and see with greater clarity.

As the competition celebrates a decade of championing visual storytelling, its mission remains as vital as ever. The All About Photo Awards is more than a contest—it’s a platform. It offers both emerging and established photographers the chance to reach a global audience, gain recognition, and join a community that values truth, creativity, and the power of photography to make an impact.

The 2025 edition reinforces photography’s unique ability to inspire and transform. These 50 winning images remind us why the medium matters—not just as an art form, but as a powerful tool for understanding the world around us. When created with purpose and passion, a single photograph can carry the weight of a thousand words.

The full gallery of winners is available to explore on the All About Photo Awards 2025 exhibition page. These images are not only shaping the future of photography—they’re shaping how we see the world.

The winning photographs will also be featured in an upcoming issue of AAP Magazine, which will include in-depth stories and insights behind the images.

“Photography is more than just a medium—it’s a vehicle for dialogue and change,” said Sandrine Hermand-Grisel, Founder of All About Photo. “Through the All About Photo Awards, we are proud to support photographers who use their craft to engage, inspire, and elevate conversations that matter.”

A panel of six expert jurors was tasked with the challenging job of selecting the winners from thousands of outstanding entries. The jury included Janet Delaney, photographer; Sarah Gilbert, Features Photo Editor at The Guardian; Karl Taylor, photographer, filmmaker, and Hasselblad/Broncolor ambassador; Tatsuo Suzuki, photographer; Ann Jastrab, Executive Director of the Center for Photographic Art; and Sandrine Hermand-Grisel, photographer and Founder of All About Photo.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to each juror for their time, dedication, and expert eye in reviewing every submission with care and discernment.

The Winner and Photographer of the Year 2025 is Marijn Fidder (The Netherlands)

Husnah was born with a congenital limb impairment that left her with no right lower arm.
Husnah is a Ugandan swimmer who is currently the country's only classified paralympic swimmer. Her first appearance at the World Championships in London was mentioned among the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC’s) Top 10 Moments of 2019.
Husnah: “Swimming was for me an escape from being really shy. I was always hiding my disability, because people look at me weirdly when they see my arm. So I’d always wear a sweater the whole day, even when it was hot, so people couldn’t see my hand. But when I started swimming, I learned to be more confident about myself.”

‘Inclusive Nation’
Life can present many obstacles for people with disabilities. These challenges lead to social isolation, poverty and reduced quality of life. However, amid these obstacles, Uganda is gradually transforming to become more inclusive.
As of 2020, Uganda has one of the most progressive laws for people with disabilities in the world. This states, among other things, that discrimination against people with disabilities is prohibited. Children with disabilities have the right to education and adults have the right to a job. This is very important because 80% of all people with disabilities in the world live in developing countries, such as Uganda.
While there is still much work to be done, the progress made thus far is a glimmer of hope for people with disabilities.
www.marijnfidder.nl
@marijnfidder
All about Marijn Fidder


2nd Place Winner: Abdelrahman Alkahlout (Palestine)

Inside the morgue of Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, a Palestinian medic tenderly prepares the body of a young child for burial. The child lost his life during an airstrike that struck his family home amid the ongoing war that has gripped the region since 2023. Wrapped in a white shroud, his silent face bears witness to a fragile life cut short. This heartbreaking scene captures the profound grief and enduring resilience of families living through unimaginable suffering.
@abd.pix96


3rd Place Winner: Erhan Coral (Turkey)

In the heart of Eastern Turkey’s winter landscape, men and water buffaloes share the warmth of the Budaklı hot springs in Bitlis. Rising mist veils the frozen surroundings, blending human and animal silhouettes in a primal ritual of survival and coexistence. While the snow-covered plains and distant mountains whisper solitude, the steamy embrace of the thermal waters becomes a sanctuary—where tradition, resilience, and nature converge in harmony.
erhancoral.com
@ecoralphotography
All about Erhan Coral


4th Place winner: João Coelho (Portugal/Angola)

This image is part of a project documenting a group of young people working at a ship graveyard in Angola. Every day, the Titanic gang, as they call themselves, risk their lives on this beach. After overcoming strong currents and waves to reach the half-buried wrecks, they have to dive again and again into the murky, dark waters to pull heavy pieces of iron from the bottom using only the strength of their arms. After several hours of struggle, they still have to drag the heavy pieces along the bottom to the beach, to put them on fragile motorcycles that take them to the place where they are weighed and sold. It's a titanic effort that earns them only $150 per ton, a meager reward for surviving the risks they face every day. The enormous courage, determination, and resilience this gang shows every day on this beach was the real source of inspiration that led me to do this work.
www.joaocoelho-photography.com
@joaocoelho_photography
All about João Coelho


5th Place Winner: Francesco Gioia (Italy)

A close-up portrait capturing the elegance and rawness of age, with vivid red nails delicately holding a lit cigarette against a bold colored background. The textured skin and swirling smoke evoke a sense of character, resilience, and timeless allure.
www.francescogioia.com
@francesco_gioia_street
All about Francesco Gioia


MERIT AWARD GALLERY WINNERS
Joshua Cohen (United States)

As flames consumed the business district and surrounding neighborhoods of Altadena, CA, reducing them to smoldering ruins in one of the most devastating urban firestorms in history, an eerie sense of calm settled over those who chose to stay behind on the morning of January 8th. With no way to fight the inevitable, they chose to bear witness, confronted by the raw power of nature and the undeniable fragility of everything they once thought permanent.
www.joshcohen.co
@joshiecoh


Hardijanto Budiman (Indonesia)

I created this picture to express my concern about the issue of plastic bottle waste. Millions of tons of plastic end up in the oceans each year, posing a very harmful threat to biodiversity and the environment.
It took almost a year to create this image from scratch to the final result. The most difficult part was transforming the ideas in my mind into visuals—such as preparing the storyboard, props, talent, MUA, venue, etc. The photo shoot took about two hours, and the editing process lasted about 3–4 days.
1x.com/hardibudi
@hardibudi
All about Hardijanto Budiman


Rosa Mariniello (Italy)

Pomezia (RM) Italy, 2024 July 30th: Antonella Tirabassi, a female bodybuilder, wears her competition bra again, after a professional tanning treatment to color her skin for the competition, during the BBF Italy Awards 2024. The theme of Beauty related to female bodybuilders is a much discussed topic. It is far from the traditional canons of femininity that we have been accustomed to for millennia and fixed before our eyes by paintings and sculptures. The body is a place of inner research where muscularity becomes confirmation of identity. The hard work of training and sacrificial diets shape the lines of the body, transforming it into a satisfying and seductive image. The use of cosmetic surgery is often part of a complex approach. Breast augmentation is the most common intervention in women. It has the effect of compensating for the upper part of the body which, with the loss of fat necessary to achieve muscle definition, is less developed precisely because of the loss of breast volume, compared to the lower part. And after training and dietary sacrifices, we arrive at the competitions. And between fake tans, stage makeup, costumes covered in sequins, sparkling earrings and stiletto heels, we prepare backstage at the competitions. The greatest enjoyment is achieved in the competitions. And it is precisely on stage that inner fragilities give way to the vanity of the representation.
rosamariniello.com
@rosa_mariniello_foto


Clark Mishler (United States)

This image was one of many produced for the Alaska State Fair Marking Department. My assignment was to capture iconic images of those who participated in the fair while documenting the fair’s events and singular moments that define the rural/small town aspect of life in Alaska’s Matanuska Valley. These 4H kids were the prize winners in the poultry competition. I was struck how each entry weirdly matched the child who had raised them.
www.clarkjamesmishler.com
@clarkmishler
All about Clark James Mishler


Chester Ng (United States)

Photographed in January 2025 near the tranquil waters of Inle Lake, Myanmar, this image captures a traditional fishing practice steeped in generations of knowledge and resilience. In the mangrove-lined lagoons, where time seems to follow the rhythm of water and wind, local fishermen wade barefoot through the shallows, setting out conical bamboo traps known as lu or taung bae in Burmese.
These baited traps are placed in narrow backwater channels to catch catfish, tilapia, and snakehead as they migrate with the rising waters. The fish follow ancient instincts; the fishermen, ancestral rhythms. What unfolds is more than routine—it is a living dialogue between man and nature, labor and legacy.
In the quiet of mid-afternoon, the tangled mangroves stand as silent witnesses to the passage of time, an ancient thread woven through generations. The fisherman, moving with calm deliberation, is not merely casting a net, but honoring a rhythm older than words. Surrounded by soft mist and shadows, there’s a reverence in his solitude, as if the stillness itself carries a quiet, shared understanding between him and the world around him.
www.facebook.com/chester.ng.14
@cng.546


Patrick Enssle (Germany)

The series delves deeper into the early days oft he Tbilisi demonstrations, offering a striking exploration of the intensity and humanity that define this pivotal moment in Georgia’s history. The images reveal not just the chaos of tear gas, water cannons, and clashes with law enforcement but also the resilience and solidarity of the protesters. Participants are seen shielding one another, tending to injuries, and building makeshift barricades in scenes that underscore their collective courage and determination.
Documented by one of the first independent German photographers to immerse themselves in this unfolding story—wearing body armor, a helmet, and a gas mask—the series provides a visceral and immersive perspective. The physical constraints of the protective gear amplify the tension, lending the images an unfiltered sense of immediacy.
www.patrick-enssle.de
@patrick_enssle
All about Patrick Enssle


Mark Seymour (United Kingdom)

Captured on the quieter side of the Ganges in Varanasi, away from the vibrant energy of the Aarti festival, this image tells a more intimate story of daily life. Locals move gracefully across the soft sands, balancing heavy bundles with ease, while a beautifully adorned horse stands calmly, almost as if part of the landscape itself. The distant mist softens the horizon, creating a dreamlike scene where tradition, resilience, and serenity intertwine — a timeless glimpse into the soul of India.
www.markseymourphotography.co.uk
@markseymourphotography
All about Mark Seymour


Tianhu Yuan (China)

Luo He is a Lolita handcraftwomen. In the process of commercialization of the Lolita subculture community, a variety of creative industry occupations have arisen, and one of them is the handcraftwomen. They emphasize their subcultural identity by making handmade accessories to enrich their Lolita-style outfit. The hat and the mirror are both of her own design.
It is from series Lolita Dreams, which is about the Lolita fashion subculture community in China. As a foreign subculture, Lolita fashion has inevitably had its ups and downs with the government-led mainstream culture and public opinion in the course of its development. Through interviews and portraits with various Lolita participants, I investigate the phenomenon of de-Westerncentrism in the localization process of the Lolita subculture and the influence of Lolita fashion on their individuality, identity perception, lifestyle choices and consumption habits.
www.talesyuan.com
@talesyuan
All about Tianhu Yuan


Pedro Jarque Krebs (Peru)

A young wallaby struggles to settle into the warm shelter of its mother's pouch, but its growing size makes the task increasingly difficult. Its long legs seem to tangle as it patiently and persistently searches for a comfortable position. After several attempts, it finally manages to fold itself completely inside the pouch.
www.pedrojarque.com
@pjarquek
All about Pedro Jarque Krebs


Holger Goehler (Germany)

In the mountains of Romania's densely forested Maramures region, there are villages where time seems to pass more slowly than usual. Life here is almost self-subsistent and extremely simple. Families have their own piece of land, a farm and a few animals. The people hold tight to almost forgotten traditions, practicing crafts and customs that have disappeared elsewhere. I visited one of these villages repeatedly over several years and documented it with my camera. On my first visit, I felt like I was in a movie from a bygone era, generations long past.
The photo is taken from my series “Maramures People - Portrait of a Village”. It shows a woman living alone and fending for herself. A life full of hardship is written all over her face. She is standing in front of her ageing house. Typical for the region, it is built entirely of wood and the roof is covered with countless, hand-sized, carved wooden shingles.
1x.com/holgergoehler
@holgergoehlerphotography
All about Holger Goehler


Michael Sela (Israel)

This photograph was taken at Mt. Ōtaki in Mima, Japan. In this image, Yuuki is taking a deep breath — inhaling all the light around him, absorbing the shadows, and merging them into himself. The title of the photograph, Shinkokyū (深呼吸), means deep breath in Japanese, reflecting this moment of unity between light, shadow, and self.
www.trusthecontrast.com
@trust_the_contrast
All about Michael Sela


Andrea Bettancini (Italy)

The Maidan of Kolkata is a vast urban park located in the heart of the city, often referred to as the green lung of Kolkata. The presence of horses in the Maidan is historically linked to the Kolkata Mounted Police, one of the oldest divisions in the country, established in 1840. This unit plays a crucial role in patrolling the Maidan and managing crowds during major sporting events. The Maidan and Fort William represent the beating heart of Kolkata, blending history, culture, and daily life into a shared space. The presence of horses in the park not only enriches the urban landscape but also reflects the evolution of the city's traditions and needs over time.
@andreabettancini
All about Andrea Bettancini


Buck Holzemer (United States)

“Three Palms» An image made while on a desert road trip in the American Southwest. After calling it a day and not having captured anything compelling, I headed back to my hotel for the night. That’s when this lovely gift caught the corner of my eye. Light was fading quickly, I set my tripod, mounted the camera and shot 2 sheets of 4x5 film. It was the fading light and this peculiar combination of the power lines, the palm trees. and the empiness of the space around the scene that drew me in. This intersection between man-made structure and nature and how that relationship evolves will determine our fate. In this image (as on the entire planet) nature appears to be struggling. The image, at the same time, reminds us that beauty can be found in the most unlikely places. Each road we travel has its own story, filled with twists and turns, and its own unique charms.
www.trusthecontrast.com
@buck4.9
All about Buck Holzemer


Donell Gumiran (Philippines)

l Sila, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates — An Emirati girl stands beside her Arabian horse, a portrait of strength, tradition, and grace.
Their bond echoes resilience and the spirit of heritage. Her pride and passion reflect a deep cultural legacy, carrying tradition forward with honor and hope.
@donell_gumiran_photography
All about Donell Gumiran


Alain Schroeder (Belgium)

Of all the Great Apes, chimpanzees are categorized as our closest living relatives, sharing over 98% of our DNA. Given this genetic bond, chimps have been used for biomedical and behavioral research for decades with little regard for their welfare. The rationale was that it was unethical to test the toxicity of chemicals, effects of gravity and extreme physical or mental trauma, infectious diseases, etc., on humans. Attitudes began to change in the 1960s as scientists and activists worldwide demonstrated the social and emotional capabilities of chimpanzees. Since then, laws, technical advancements and public outrage have greatly reduced invasive laboratory testing.
In 1997, Primatologist, Carole Noon and Great Ape Activist, Jon Stryker, established Save the Chimps, the largest privately funded chimpanzee sanctuary in the world. Its mission is to provide a safe haven to captive chimps that have been exploited by humans for research, testing and entertainment in the United States.
The 150-acre state-of-the-art facility in Florida is home to over 220 rescued chimpanzees living with dignity and comfort thanks to a team of passionate veterinarians, caregivers and volunteers who provide personalized care, and nutritious individual feeding and enrichment plans, in a spacious island habitat. Groups of +/- 20 chimps live on 3-acre open-air islands that include climbing structures, shaded areas to play and socialize, as well as comfortable indoor spaces to nest and relax, all at their own discretion. Like the chimps, all sanctuary staff are on a first name basis, giving the entire operation a devoted family feel.
The sanctuary relies on private donations, foundation grants and the passion and generosity of its staff and a large volunteer workforce. While the majority of research chimps in the US have been released to sanctuaries, there are still hundreds waiting to be rescued; some who have never seen daylight. Save the Chimps is working tirelessly to welcome all remaining captive chimpanzees across the United States who need refuge and expert loving care for the rest of their lives.
alainschroeder.myportfolio.com
@alainschroeder
All about Alain Schroeder


Álvaro Vegazo (Spain)

In Spain, it is customary to withdraw pension money from the bank at the end of each month. Older people prefer to have the money in cash. In addition to the color combination, I liked the symbolism of the red and white construction tape, not only because it visually guides you to the person, but also because it could symbolize how money goes from more to less and eventually runs out, causing difficulties in making ends meet financially.
www.alvarovegazo.com
@amvegazo
All about Alvaro Vegazo


Pedro Luis Ajuriaguerra (Spain)

You can see the athletes of the Bilbao triathlon, the triathletes completing a 2,000-meter round trip in the Bilbao Estuary before returning to the Ramón de la Sota´s dock and transitioning from swimming to cycling. The image was taken from the Deusto Bridge as they passed beneath the swimmers; it resembles a group of splashing fish.
pedroluisajuriaguerra.wordpress.com
@pedro_ajuriaguerra
All about Pedro Luis Ajuriaguerra


Leslie Gleim (United States)

Photographed during a flight over the 2018 eruption on Hawai‘i Island, this image is part of my series The Earth Cries Fiercely. It captures a moment of rupture — where fire, earth, and memory converge. It is part of the larger body of work Life of the Land, the series explores the emotional imprint of geologic transformation and what it means to witness the Earth in a state of becoming. It reflects not just the drama of eruption, but the quiet resilience of land in flux. This image, like others in the series, serves as both testimony and invitation — to listen, to feel, and to remember.
lesliegleim.com
@lesliegleim_aerialphotography
All about Leslie Gleim


Natalie Arber (Australia)

The beginning stages of metamorphosis as I let go of what was and what I thought was meant to be. Today I accept that my life and my dreams are suspended like a chrysalis while my tears wash down the drain. Every bone in my body is riddled with grief but I am holding on to hope that my wings will grow bigger and brighter than before. One day I will know who I am and where I am meant to be but today I am meant to be here, crying in the shower.
nataliearber.com
@natalie_arber_photography


Syed Mahabubul Kader (Bangladesh)

This photograph shows people surrounding the remains of a car previously engulfed in flames in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
@syedmahabubulkader


Martina Holmberg (Sweden)

When Melanie (Mel) was two years old, she stayed in the car with her older sister while her mother went to buy something small at the convenience store. When the mother returned, the car was on fire. Her sister died tragically but Mel survived with severe burns. Throughout her life, she has lived with the aftermath of the accident and a deviant appearance. Despite difficulties in life, Mel has lived her dreams and graduated as a lawyer. She wants to encourage others with a visible difference to follow their dreams. Mel participate in my project The Outside of the Inside where I highlight people whose appearances deviate from conventional norms and who have faced prejudice as a result.
www.martinaholmberg.com
@martina.holmberg.92