1ST PRIZE: THIBAULT GERBALDI

This photograph of the Dayak in Borneo is striking in its subject, its composition, its detail and its emotional intensity. It is also a testament to the power a captured fraction of a second can have to inform the viewer. It is clear the amount of time the photographer took to understand the Dayak culture was vast. – BRONWEN LATIMER

Nature has played a major role throughout the history of humanity, and it still does today, although we might often forget it. This cinematic shot has the difficult job of reminding us of our bond with nature through depicting traditional indigenous dances, and it does an incredibly good job of it. Artistically composed and sharply shot, using multiple layers to create depth, featuring a soft palette with sepia accents, and making excellent use of lighting and space, the frame is impactful and memorable. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Rituals of Borneo. The Dayak are the indigenous people of Borneo, known for their deep spiritual connection to the forest. Traditional dances, performed with elaborate feathered headdresses, body paint, and ritual ornaments, embody myths of origin, warrior pride, and respect for ancestral spirits.

2ND PRIZE: MARTINA HOLMBERG

The photograph of Hattie is striking, not only because Hattie looks serenely into the camera, but the photographer’s choice to frame her, and to use a similar background color, as the famous “Afghan Girl” photograph was created by Steve McCurry is magical in its subtext. Nearly 15% of the world’s population live with some form of disability and Hattie openly shares her experience on Instagram and in this photograph. “Perfection is something we all define differently,” she says. – BRONWEN LATIMER

Humanity is diverse and imperfectly beautiful. That’s the message behind this strong portrait. With a classic construction and an exquisite use of light, the image highlights the endless stories that define us, reminding us that humankind is not made of flesh and blood, but of stories. The photographer’s storytelling abilities shine through, as does their engagement with the subject and artistic sensitivity. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Hattie lives with an eye prosthesis. She shares her experiences on Instagram and inspires others to appreciate the beauty in what is unique. “Perfection is something we all define differently. What makes each of us special are the small details that tell our stories.”

MICHAEL LEMON

What beautiful colors and juxtaposition of elements! The complex composition reveals itself slowly, leading the viewer from one element to another, like Alice’s rabbit hole. The game of proportions makes the scene look natural and surreal at the same time, but the warm light transforms all these disparate elements into a harmonious unity. This candid shot is a compositional triumph and proof of the endless artistic opportunities found in street photography. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Midwest Summer. Through the medium of color photography, I aim to capture and elevate moments of everyday life that often go unnoticed.

DAN KLAUSNER

Such a picturesque perspective on human ambition, resilience, and diligence. The photographer made the right decisions in terms of composition, shooting angle, and color palette, making a rather small subject stand out and creating a depth that’s both touching and memorable. The stylistic choices invite the viewer into an inner world, one of wandering and exploration. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Two friends topping out the Lost Arrow Spire in Yosemite National Park, US.

HEIDI MARGOCSY

There is so much tenderness, warmth, and love in this picture and outside of it. The photographer felt it, too, one can tell. The energy reverberates in soft waves, filling the frame and the viewer’s heart. The entire composition, from the black and white aesthetic to framing, is built to convey emotion, and it does a very good job at it. It’s like a love song, bundling memories and nostalgia whenever one hears it. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Hold Onto Now.

DANIEL RAMOS

These glimpses into everyday life, street snapshots that don’t hide anything, are valuable documents for what humankind is like. Diversity – of cultures, lifestyles, faiths, and individuals – is the feature that stands out. This busy frame, chaotic and calm at the same time, takes the viewer on a journey of discovery. There is so much happening in every corner of the frame, so much movement, so many different characters, hidden details. It’s an entire novel on one page. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Carnival on the Outskirts.

GAVIN LIBOTTE

Taking street photography to a brand new level, the photographer transforms a candid shot into a fine art photograph. The unusual shooting angle makes the background meaningful and localizes the story. But the most impressive part remains the masterful way of working with light. The very essence of photography, painting with light, shines through this picture. – LIFE FRAMER

GIAN PIERO BARONCELLI

Our entire existence is made of moments like this. The snapshot captures the transient nature of human life, the lifestyle we built for ourselves, and the innate nature that follows us everywhere. Beyond technological advances, we are still children on a long journey, imagining games and getting bored sometimes. The frame is dynamic, the focal point exquisite. The blend of colors and the clash of textures enhance the story and add layer after layer of meaning. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – It’s a long journey, Nepal.

BRENT CLARK

How well the subject blends into the landscape, reminding us that we truly are part of the environment we inhabit! An outstanding environmental portrait, the photograph shows a deep understanding of composition and amazing storytelling skills. It also shows the photographer’s engagement with the subject, because one can feel the emotion on both sides of the lens. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Navajo Woman Dressed in Ceremonial Jingle dress Monument Valley, Utah. The Navajo (Dine) are the largest Native American tribe in the U.S., living primarily on the vast Navajo Nation reservation spanning parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, known for their rich culture, distinct language (Dine Bizaad), historical resilience, and famous crafts like weaving, shaped by traditions, adaptation from other cultures (Puebloans, Spanish), and events like the forced “Long Walk” to Fort Sumner in the 1860s. They are a sovereign nation with a sophisticated government and vibrant cultural sites like Monument Valley.

VICA ROSARIO BOGAERTS

Featuring an outstanding focal point, the image concentrates the viewer’s entire attention into the center of the frame. From here, the questions start to gather. One wants to know more about this mysterious figure walking in the rain, about the tumult she experiences, about everything that happens around her. The picture has a very good cinematic effect and could easily constitute the opening scene of a movie. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Until Dawn Comes, Hanoi, Vietnam.

MASOUD MIRZAEI

We celebrate human accomplishments more than we acknowledge our destructive power, the fact that we’ve changed the face of Earth for the worse and continue to do so. This picturesque photograph raises awareness of the impact humans have on their own habitat artfully, as photography is supposed to do. The black silhouettes over the disappearing water make an impactful view, raise questions, and engage the viewer. The shooting angle puts things in perspective, urging us to think about the future of humankind. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Lake Urmia, once the largest lake in the Middle East, has completely vanished, leaving behind a silent and barren landscape where water once stretched endlessly. Once celebrated for its beauty and vastness, it has now turned into a haunting reminder of loss, mismanagement, and the fragility of nature itself. The absence of its waters has reshaped not only the geography of the region but also the cultural memory and identity tied to it. For me, Lake Urmia is no longer just a geographical place, but a metaphor for disappearance, silence, and the traces of what humanity has failed to protect. This work is an attempt to capture the emptiness left behind, and the memory of what once was.

PIOTR SKUBISZ

Bringing to light the humanity of the photographer, this carefully curated portrait underlines both sides of the lens, family liaisons, and the universal truth best said by Alan Watts: “You are not separate from the universe – you are the universe in motion.” The frame is rich in visual elements and symbolism, its heaviness cleverly balanced by the choice of a minimalist composition and the black and white aesthetic. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – My parents in their garden while I appear as a reflection, held in my mother’s hand.

Reflected Presence. Family photo. This photograph holds personal meaning for me. After considering returning to photography about a year and a half ago, focusing this time more on independent work and personal projects rather than primarily commercial tasks as I used to, I had a strong realization: despite years behind the camera, I had never taken a proper portrait of my parents, both now 78. It felt like being a “cobbler without shoes” – taking photos of other people, documenting others’ lives but neglecting this essential image of my own family.

Taken during a recent Easter visit – perhaps also driven by the feeling that now was the right time, as none of us are getting younger – I wanted to be present with them on the photo somehow, a bit in a way like I’m now – not living with them, distant, maybe making photos somewhere else, but somehow present here, on this photo. The reflection in the mirror became my way of joining the frame; simultaneously the photographer and a son within our family portrait. My mother holding the mirror carries particular weight for me. Her gesture mirrors the situation of me being rarely home, especially knowing she often calls me nightly out of missing me.

There were also curious coincidences that my sister recently pointed out: I was 46 when I took the photo, my parents were both born in ’46 (making them 78), and I was born in ’78. While I don’t believe in numerology or horoscopes, preferring observation and reason and so on… So what could I do with these numbers? The last few days when I was still 46 years old before my next birthday. I took a picture. Maybe these numbers add another layer to the moment. Not sure…

The backdrop, which I painted myself, is another personal touch in this image. So, finally, this picture exists, and in it, we are together in a way.

BENIZI SANTAMARIA

Something is mesmerizing about this shot and makes the viewer feel energized and eager to run. The separation of movement and stillness is perfectly constructed, with a powerful leading line made of human bodies adding dynamism and rhythm. Although photography freezes motion, this image is fluid and three-dimensional, testimony to human determination and effort. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Life Guards – Bali, Indonesia.

RUDGER SMITS

It’s easy to notice and accept the humanity of others, but it’s much harder to acknowledge your own. This moving self-portrait shows a strong photographer and human being, able to accept their journey and share it. Dramatic and beautiful, with a powerful focal point and outstanding lighting design, the photograph transcends time, highlighting the very essence of being human. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Juliette – This is me now – Wet Plate Collodion.

LEWIS DENBY

Humans are alike in so many aspects and different in so many more, so we need photography to show us both sides of the story. This image is about sharing, and it’s easy to receive its message of kindness, acceptance, and belonging. The frame is beautifully composed, harmonious, and deep. Colors and contrasts are soft and warm like an embrace, adding to the narrative and building the atmosphere. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Locals and visitors from different cultures gather along the shoreline in Essaouira, Morocco, drawn to the same view of the Atlantic. The scene captures a moment of quiet coexistence, where varied lives share a common horizon.

JOZEF MACAK

The photographer captures the fascinating world of sports, a scene where everything can be won or lost, in a very realistic fashion. The framing not only does justice to the athletes but also reveals their goals (the heroes on the walls), struggles, and determination. It’s a complete portrait that resumes the effort put into this activity, which proves the photographer’s excellent storytelling abilities. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – The greasy business, Lahore, Pakistan.

SIMON MARTIN

Capturing the myriad emotions that surround youth, this portrait is true to its subject and provides a narrative rather than a description. The viewer is offered a glimpse into the subject’s world, a sample of colors and moods. Featuring beautiful lighting and a straightforward composition that places the subject in the center of the story (and the frame), the photograph is kind, emphatic, and touching. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Jacob, Gravesend Promenade, from a series of portraits of youth in and around the south of England.

MUHAMMAD AMDAD HOSSAIN

A wonderful composition featuring our shared humanity, the image surprises the viewer through geometry and texture. Despite the main subject being a crowd, the frame is airy and straightforward, showing the photographer’s capacity to work with negative space and create well-balanced compositions. The technique is even more commendable as this is a candid street shot and not a posed studio photograph. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Crowded Hope. Thousands of Muslim devotees climb aboard an overcrowded train after the final Akheri Munajat of Bishwa Ijtema in Tongi, Bangladesh. With no space inside, many cling dangerously to the train’s exterior — sitting atop roofs or hanging from handles. Their faces reflect exhaustion, relief, and the spiritual energy of the journey. The chaotic human mass in motion captures a rare kind of devotion-driven exodus.

TOBY BINDER

This environmental portrait is testimony to the times we are living in and does a very good job at proving one of photography’s many purposes: documenting. But it’s not a simple snapshot. Each visual element has a role in making the subject stand out and in building the plot for the viewer. From the subject’s stance to lighting design, from the choice of textures to different levels of blur, the photographer ensured the message was correctly conveyed. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Tyson, ‘the ghost of Beechmount’ from the series Youth of Belfast.

JUSTIN GONZAGA

What can be more human than intergenerational relationships, our primary way of acknowledging the passing of time? This intimate family scene conveys powerful emotions. It is honest, open, realistic, and compassionate. The frame is busy, the air crowded with memories. It shows that we remain human even when our bodies fail us, which is not a lightweight message to put in a photograph. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Nanay (Mother in Tagalog). I took this photo of my grandmother under the care of my father just two weeks before her 103rd birthday, and seven weeks before her passing. Even in her bedridden state in a chilly basement, her smile brightened up the room, inviting the sun to illuminate her, and told me with her eyes, “You better get a good one of me.” She lived her life vibrantly with conviction and strength as the matriarch of our family. Under the care of her three children, their families, and four generations of lineage, she lived a long life that continues to live on in each of us.