EDITORS’ PICK
United in Diversity
ANIMAL KINGDOM
ANIMAL KINGDOM EDITORS’ PICK
Following Randal Ford’s selection of winning images for our recent Animal Kingdom competition, this compilation of 20 images represents some of the other talented photographers whose work struck us and left a mark. Each a stunning image worthy of exposure and attention…
When selecting for editor’s picks we’re always searching for those striking photographs that make for an unforgettable single image, whether from a broader series or not. We enjoy the accompanying text some photographers submit with their images, and while not always necessary it can be relevant when understanding the work in full context.
These are intended to be a conversation starter… so feel free to join the discussion on our social networks.
BANNER IMAGE: GEORGI GEORGIEV
Simply beautiful! The soft color palette and contrast, the alternation of textures, and the very clear focal point transform this shot into a visual haiku. The frame is busy but harmonious, guiding the viewer from one element to another and creating an atmosphere that is serene and inviting. It’s a scene one wants to explore fully, and that’s a powerful statement for a photograph. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Harvestmen. The last sun rays after a heavy spring rain. I took this photo in Strandzha Nature Park, Bulgaria.
ALEXANDRA ANTHÉA GODEFROY
There is something so intimate and caring about the way this photograph captures its subjects. The silhouettes are easily recognizable and create a strong focal point without the photographer interfering or disturbing the animals in any way. Simple and efficient, the composition builds the narrative by using the branches as natural leading lines, denoting the photographer’s engagement and eye for detail. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Koalas’ family, Australia.
JORDI ORIOL SERRA
What an ambitious choice of aesthetic and framing! The subject stands out beautifully in this abstract composition. There’s excellent use of space and geometry to construct leading lines and guide the viewer’s gaze throughout the frame. Although a minimalist frame in black and white, the photographer manages to intrigue, raise questions, and reveal a much more elaborate story that meets the eye. – LIFE FRAMER
MANUELA FEDERL
This documentary picture focuses on the animals we’ve made part of our family. We share our lives with them, good and bad, relying on them for support and unconditional love. It’s nice to notice that, in this image, the dog is situated in the center of the community, a symbol of our shared love for animals. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – In the Roma settlement, Slovakia.
PAUL HÖRNER
In many cases, the relationship between humans and animals is controversial. This photograph reminds us of our good nature and efforts to protect and care for wildlife. The strong contrast adds drama, while the game of proportions puts things in perspective and creates a much more complicated story than meets the eye. But what stays with you is the elephant’s gaze, so telling and emotional. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Keep them safe, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
BENIZI SANTAMARIA
To survive, the animal kingdom adapts. Although many animals cohabit in our urban environment, we rarely befriend them or even notice them. It takes a sensitive photographer to show us how much joy they bring to our lives when we put in the time and effort to gain their trust. The unusual camera angle puts things in perspective, inviting us to look more inward rather than outward. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – My Neighbours Upstairs – A flock of Sulphur Crested Cockatoos trust the generosity of a city dweller.
MARINA DEGO
Closer to fine art photography than to animal photography, this black and white photograph denotes a very creative and committed photographer. To catch such a beautiful reflection of a moving animal in a candid shot is impressive. It shows outstanding technical skills and a high level of involvement and dedication. The frame is perfectly curated, encompassing only the visual elements that feed the story. Well done! – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Animal Ghost, Brazil.
KEVIN BLACKWELL
Macro photography takes us closer to those tiny beings we don’t really get to see and appreciate. The photographer chose the framing and background mindfully, the only purpose being to show off the incredible subject. It’s a sensible approach because the model is perfectly capable of capturing the viewer’s attention and delivering an appealing pose. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Cuckoo Wasp. Perched on a narrow stem, this cuckoo wasp glows with metallic color that feels almost unreal. The intense reds and greens highlight its armored body and fine surface detail, drawing attention to a species that is often overlooked because of its size.
LOREA HAUSHEER
A magical moment indeed, this scene seems taken from a fairytale. The empty landscape, the lack of color, and the graceful pose of the horse create a serene moment, an expectation, a suspense. The strong vertical leading lines and the diffuse background expand the space in all directions, like a dream that never ends. A mesmerizing shot! – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Quiet magical morning with Zaphira at the lake, Switzerland.
JOHN COMISKY
What a magnificent animal! The photographer did everything in their power to highlight the animal’s amazing features. The game of light and shadow complements the fur pattern, the colors flatter the eyes, and the branches provide hiding and a natural frame. The composition is harmonious and artful, well-balanced, and picturesque. It’s a photo that catches your attention and doesn’t let go for a long time. Well done! – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Sunbeamed Leopard – A resting leopard in a thorn forest in South Africa, highlighted by the early morning sun after eating a full meal.
EVELIEN GELDENS
When someone truly loves animals, it’s shown. Love should be the starting point for every animal photographer because only love can create connection and meaning. This beautiful portrait emphasizes the animal’s features and personality, makes it stand out, and tells a story. Lighting and composition work together to deliver the message and connect the viewer with the subject on a deeper level. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – The GOAT, A saying we all know. Someone being the GOAT is a compliment, however, when does the world actually truly look at these animals in a way that shows their true grace and character. Often only seen as comedians, I wanted to capture their strength and grace, almost making them a high fashion model in that sense.
KAROLIINA KASE
A picture that speaks a thousand words, this cinematic shot encompasses a dramatic story in a small but very moving focal point. It’s impossible to look away. It’s impossible not to feel, not to be moved by the soft gaze, the hope brought by the warm golden light. The beautiful bokeh effect in the background increases the artistic value and offers us a glimpse into the future, a future we all hope to be better. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Kangaroo With Head Injury, from the series A Refuge for the Sacred Ones. In 2020, the world watched Australian wildlife suffer during the bushfires. Since then, many rescued kangaroos have been killed by commercial shooters, and animals continue to die from cars, fences, disease, and invasive species. Wildlife carers face overwhelming loss alongside rare successes, made harder by strict regulations and a controlling wildlife organization.
For three months, I volunteered and photographed at a sanctuary where every animal is given a second chance. By sharing their stories, I hope to inspire concern and compassion for all species.
Gili, the kangaroo in the photograph, survived a motor vehicle accident. She has a permanent head tilt and a slightly unique facial appearance. Gili moves a little slower than most and doesn’t hop like other kangaroos, but otherwise, she is healthy and thriving.
She will remain a permanent resident at the sanctuary, as she cannot be released into the wild. Gili was incredibly lucky to find a home here, as most carers wouldn’t be able to meet her special needs. Despite her limitations, she has continued to flourish and has even welcomed another joey, visible safely in her pouch.
LIEVEN ENGELEN
Although this story may have a happy ending, the trauma is still present. The healing is not yet done. The human-made item that fills the frame is impactful and heartbreaking. The camera angle and the central position of the main subject are very well-chosen and make the viewer feel the entire spectrum of sadness, anger, and remorse. We need photographers to show us the animal world as it is, as we made it. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Former Dancing Monkey before being released by the Jakarta Animal Aid Network into the jungle on an uninhabited island that has become a safe haven and sanctuary for traumatized and abused monkeys. East Java, Indonesia.
SAMANTHA SPODZIEJA
Playing on depth and contrast, the photographer delivers an artistic environmental animal portrait that speaks volumes about resilience and interconnectedness. What is for humans a hostile environment is home for animals. A subtle encouragement to respect their lifestyle and protect their natural habitat, this image puts the fate of the animal kingdom in focus. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Billy goats gruff, Jasper, Alberta.
JESSICA WELLS
It’s lovely to see photographers connecting with their subjects and letting them be, especially when the subject matter is animals. By clearing the frame of everything else except the subject, the photographer gave it space and a voice. The composition is simple and efficient, flattering the subject, and explanatory for the viewer, a play debut that makes the spectator eager to know more. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – I have always loved watching animals in their natural habitat. Whether its wildlife or just watching my dogs in the backyard. I could watch them all day just doing their thing. I did a wildlife photography workshop and this photo of the Flying Fox was taken on that trip. I learnt so much, I went home and have gone out into the bush to keep taking photos
PRISCILLA UREN
Many people believe animals have no personality, no expression, and how wrong they can be… This touching portrait captures the capacity to experience and express emotions, a myriad of facial features that converge into what we ultimately wrongly believe to be exclusively human: a feeling. The photographer’s openness and ability to connect are to be appreciated, as storytelling always starts behind the lens, not in front of it. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Human expressions, animal faces – we are all one.
ANGELIKA JAKOB
These old pastoral traditions prove once again how much we rely on animals. The photograph is picturesque and evocative and features a certain fluidity that takes the viewer on an ancestral journey. The foreground and background are very well-constructed and add a sense of depth whilst putting the subject in perspective: we are allowed here, not the ones in control. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – In autumn, the cows and calves are brought down from the alpine pastures to the valley. They are ceremoniously transported across Lake Konigssee on a wooden platform. The dairymen accompany the journey with accordion music and traditional dancing. The cows and calves’ home farm is on the other side of the lake. Cattle drive in Berchtesgaden, Bavaria, Germany.
MUHAMMAD AMDAD HOSSAIN
An intriguing aerial shot that raises more questions than it provides answers, the photo shines a light on the controversial relationship between humans and animals. The lush green that fills the frame comes from a place of abundance. Yet, the focal point, the fire, brings fear and destruction. Are humans the friend or the enemy? – LIFE FRAMER
MURAT HARMANLIKLI
The candid photograph captures shared joy, freedom, and love for movement. It’s a photo taken with love, too, undisturbed by artistic goals and the hunt for a good photo. All that matters is the joy, the blissful moment of sharing a laugh with the birds. We should learn from children and animals to live in the moment and enjoy this wonderful gift that is life. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Wings and Remembrance.
“It was a time of pure bliss–an enchanting moment filled with a myriad of wings. I was running straight into the heart of the pigeons, and they all burst into the sky. I couldn’t catch a single one, but I could feel the wind from their wings; their feathers almost brushed against my face. My parents were photographing me with an old analog camera. They were so young–young like a summer’s dawn. It was a moment of happiness, carried by a symphony of motion.”
Marcel Proust’s In Search of Lost Time begins with the narrator dipping a madeleine into a cup of linden tea–a small, ordinary gesture that suddenly unlocks the gates of memory. It’s a powerful reminder of how unexpectedly the past can surface. For me, if there is one place in Istanbul that evokes such a feeling, it is the square in front of the New Mosque (Yeni Cami).
Many years ago, when I was just a small child, my parents took a photograph of me there. Every time I return to that spot–whether to take photographs or during the workshops and photowalks I’ve led in Istanbul–that image comes vividly to mind. In the midst of the crowd, beneath the flight of pigeons and the echo of footsteps, I find myself stepping back into that moment. Just like the narrator in Proust’s novel who begins his journey of remembrance with the taste of a madeleine, this place stirs a similar process of memory within me. And this photograph, taken right there in that square, now belongs to Wings and Remembrance–the opening chapter of my current book project, Istanbul, in the Flux of an All-Embracing Moment.
Inspired by Proust, I, too, want my book to begin with a moment of recollection, where personal and collective memory intertwine. Although nothing is final yet, this image may even become the cover of the book–because it is more than just a photograph. It is one of the most powerful visual links I have to my own past.
KENNETH FOX
It’s an artful, magical photograph in which each detail is carefully enhanced. Everything falls into place beautifully, from the close angle to the texture of the fur to its limited color palette. Whimsical, curious, and very much cute, the subject needs nothing else to shine and take up the scene. This “it’s all about me” shot matches its attitude very well. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Arctic Hare: The Watchful Guardian from my series Arctic Encounters: Beauty that Thrives in the Extreme.
