1ST PRIZE: KUNAL KOHLI

This work radiates authenticity and creative intent. With patience and technical skill, the photographer captures a fleeting moment—the infinity symbol traced in sand and dirt by hands in motion, paired with a kneeling stance that speaks volumes. It becomes a visual language of pleading, of justice sought and forgiveness yearned for. The slight blur in the figure adds to its realism, grounding the image in truth rather than illusion. Nothing feels forced or overly edited. Accompanying the image, a heartfelt caption reveals the artist’s deep passion for the project – ALISON MORLEY

With a thoughtfully constructed composition and a powerful message, this shot is intended to impact the viewer at a deeper level and make them ask the hard questions. The photograph is fluid and harmonious, with color palette, textures, and shapes all artistically used to match the background story. Clearly, this is a project close to the photographer’s heart. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – The series, Absolution, explores the profound journey of releasing ourselves from the weight of a past that no longer serves us. It reflects the universal struggle to confront, accept, and ultimately let go of the identities and memories that once defined us but now hold us back. True transformation, it suggests, is only possible when we make peace with our past, allowing us to step into a space of personal freedom and renewal. In Absolution, I aim to capture the emotional spectrum we encounter on this path, the turbulence of unresolved pain, the quiet resistance to letting go, and finally, the liberation that acceptance brings. This series offers a visual meditation on the act of release, embodying what it feels like to reach genuine inner peace and the emotions while going through our struggles.

2ND PRIZE: HAMZAH LIM

Viewing the tri-level architecture of the train through a child’s perspective is captivating—it invites curiosity and encourages a deeper look into the many intriguing elements within the frame. This image doesn’t just ask to be seen; it demands a pause, a second glance, urging the viewer to explore every corner. I love how it engages both the mind and the senses, making us truly think, observe, and feel. – ALISON MORLEY

By composing the frame in layers, the photographer guides the viewer not only through a two-dimensional image but through an entire journey. The use of available light, reflective surfaces, and transparencies is outstanding, especially because this is a candid shot with no possibilities for the photographer to arrange the scene. An image that sparks curiosity, this shot proves that a good photographer always keeps a camera close. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – The train ride.

LIAM MAN

A stunning shot, unearthly quiet and still but not at all empty. The majestic scene seems taken from a fairytale or mystic legend, and the viewer can feel the presence of the inexplicable. By choosing a minimalist, golden rule composition, an aerial perspective, and a shallow depth of field, the photographer added depth and enhanced the dramatism. It’s a good combination of an impressive subject matter and a well-balanced composition that suits it perfectly. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Shore Bound. According to Icelandic folklore, the Reynisdrangar Trolls [sea stacks] were created when two trolls were attempting to drag a three-masted ship to shore. In their haste they did not notice that the sun was rising. As the rays of daylight hit them, they (and the ship) were instantly turned to stone. Illuminated during a -20 degree celcius night in the dead of winter, this image seeks to capture one night of their story. A moment frozen in time, in a petrified landscape.

MARIA EHRLICH

Using the surroundings as a natural framing for the two characters was an inspired idea. The photograph has depth and a three-dimensional look that makes both subjects stand out. I also appreciate the subtle contrast between poses and attitudes that enhances the story and makes the viewer interested in finding out more about the two protagonists. This photograph is all about them. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – “Nuerki” (girl with traditional hairstyle is sitting in front of a door in Nima, Accra, Ghana.

VEDAT SENTURK

What an interesting candid shot with so many layers and beautiful lighting! The fact that the sun-drenched cat is the main focal point amidst the endless human silhouettes vouches for the photographer’s storytelling skills. It takes presence, calm, and genuine connectedness to spot serenity in a busy street. And it takes a lot of patience and skill to overlay shapes, lines, and light so majestically to create such a tridimensional-looking shot. – LIFE FRAMER

SÉBASTIEN DURAND

This photograph is a very good example of a moment well caught. Although much of the frame is filled with the blurred effect that conveys the fast pace of our lives, what remains speaks volumes about the photographer’s ability to react under pressure, spot stories where few else see them, and put together a playful and meaningful composition. The billboard character shows the life we are conditioned to desire, while the real character shows the life we live and should appreciate. Put together, it’s what makes us humans: dreams and resilience. – LIFE FRAMER

C E MORSE

Like art, photography has many faces, and one can only be grateful for getting to see so many of them. This abstract photographic work of art is proof that sometimes the photographer is not a silent observer but an active participant in the creation of the scene. Harmonious tones, intriguing textures, and mesmerizing contrasts keep the viewer clued to this image. It’s up to us to immerse ourselves in its meaning and explore our emotions. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Farrago #7 – an improbable fusion of abstract details from disparate found objects.

ZHAOYANG CHEN

Humankind is proud of its achievements, but we often forgets about the price paid for them. This photograph is a reminder of the invasive methods we use to sustain our civilization and the impact we have on the environment. By using a symmetrical composition and a bleak, artificial color palette, the photographer emphasizes the message and offers us a glimpse into what the future would look like if we aren’t careful: a lifeless, industrial site. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – China’s new urban planning policies are rapidly taking effect, with urban expansion crashing upon the landscape like waves.

OLIVIER LAVENAC

A subject who looks directly at the camera is challenging because, in a way, they turn the lens on the photographer. The picture becomes a dialogue, and the photographer has to show up, engage, and be vulnerable. It’s the case of this photograph, which features a powerful character who makes a statement and communicates a complex mix of attitudes, beliefs, and feelings. A simple composition and a shallow depth of field are the right choices here. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Nawal was one of my students for several years. As her art teacher, I had the privilege of guiding her and her classmates through an intense theatrical journey as part of a class project. At the end of the school year — just as they were about to leave middle school and move on — I photographed them to preserve the memory of those meaningful moments.

Nawal was born in Sudan, spent part of her childhood in Egypt, and arrived in Vénissieux, France during middle school. I watched her flourish in the UPE2A program, which supports non-native French-speaking students, and especially through her deep engagement with drama.

I see this series as a natural continuation of Heirs, a project I began in 2023. That earlier work focused on adolescence — its fragility, its intensity, and the way emotions are experienced with raw, unfiltered urgency. I’ve always felt that adolescent sensitivity has something in common with artistic sensibility: everything is lived at 200%, as the Quebecois playwright David Paquet captures so powerfully in his work for young audiences.

I’ve long admired the photography of Dawoud Bey, Gregory Halpern, and Bryan Schutmaat — particularly for the emotional depth and intensity they bring to their portraits. I’m deeply fascinated by what youth reveals about our time: how it reflects the present while simultaneously projecting us into the future.

There is something radically silent in a photograph, even in documentary work. Perhaps that’s what draws me to photography — it shows without ever speaking, leaving the mystery of each person’s inner life intact, preserved, protected by an image that only ever reveals the surface.

SARA STRECH

Fine-art photography can capture anything, from still life to dreams, from everyday activities to abstract concepts. The photographer turns the lens on love, on its powerful infatuation, endless dreams, and forever dance. No one can escape this feeling, and no one wants to. The image reveals just enough to make the viewer curious, nostalgic, and engaged. It captures just enough movement to make us feel the energy. And the bright background brings hope and joy. Well done! – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – “Lovers Dreamin’.” “Do I even have to explain?” Inevitable and the most never ending vibration that haunt us through our whole lives wherever we are, behind or in front of the veil. Haunting us and keeping us alive.

LAIMUTE KURIENE

Photography is best at capturing unique, unrepeatable moments that fill our lives with thrilling experiences. This intriguing shot is a good example in this regard. It’s dynamic, dramatic, and impressive, engaging the viewer and raising endless questions. At the same time, it is a technically good image, sharp and clear, with a harmonious balance between light and darkness. – LIFE FRAMER

MEG MOSLEY

The image looks like a scene from a ‘60s TV drama, bringing history to life and highlighting the endless freedom of expression photography provides. The photographer’s creativity, attention to detail, and research are to be commended. Not a single detail is left to chance; from lighting to color palette to the model’s immobility, everything comes together perfectly. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Semi-detached (2024). This series is a sensitive exploration of the female experience through the lens of domestic life in a recently vacated 1960s semi-detached home. My commitment to research allows me to infuse every image with nuanced authenticity, redesigning existing spaces and adding objects I have sourced to reflect the era. My carefully staged domestic “still lifes,” capture the lingering traces of domestic life, inviting viewers to contemplate the subtle narratives embedded in the home.

DAVID BRAULT

The photographer uses the medium in a very creative fashion to produce a bizarre reality, the ultimate still-life world. There is so much happening in this frame. However, it is still a well-balanced and appealing composition. The orderly chaos, flooded in warm colors and symbols, is an artistic but accurate representation of our real world. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – “La Cene”. My work evokes childhood, art history, and invokes the imagination in a play of diverting figures and objects. I create small-scale staging in the banal space of my kitchen, according to the protocol I have imposed on myself. These are toys, figurines, and even sacred statues that I place in a makeshift setting, sometimes on the verge of collapse. Materials and textures are a bit like in an improvised culinary recipe. They are ingredients, overturned, diverted, recycled. There is no question of photomontage. The atmosphere is thus recreated with the help of a smoke machine. The skies are often painted, the floors dusted and soaked…The scale is disrupted and access to this miniature world is facilitated for us.

In turn, photography freezes this pseudo-reality and becomes the main source of ambiguity. From this new world, it brings us closer while distancing us from reality. The illusions are partial and we are never completely fooled. However, we are always invited to participate in the game of interpreting the images and symbols they convey. From collisions to collusions, photographic staging refers to classical painting, advertising imagery, pop art, kitsch…They abolish the boundaries that separate the profane from the sacred, learned art from popular culture.

MARI SAXON

Composed in the style of Dutch Golden Age painters with a touch of modern materials, the photograph is whimsical, entertaining, and fun to look at. However, this playful double portrait reveals much more than its two characters. It shows a powerful bond between the adult and the child, who found a way to leverage their ages into a game of costumes. Therefore, it is emotional and reaches deeper levels than one might think. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Part time Duchesses.

DOMINIQUE AGIUS

Everything blends so smoothly and artistically in this fine-art portrait, from the model’s pose and attitude to details of clothing and color palette. The background and lighting are well-chosen and contribute to the story. In the absence of leading lines, the photographer cleverly used texture to guide the viewer’s gaze and invite them to spend more time with the image. A masterclass in constructing a story. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Work on light and contrast. A moody portrait of an albino model.

ARGUS PAUL ESTABROOK

An unusual take on a unique subject, the photograph captures passion, movement, and energy. By giving up color, the photographer emphasizes the dramatism of the scene, textures, play of light and shadow, and mix of cultures. Still, the image has a strong focal point, powerful leading lines, and a well-balanced composition. An inspired shot, for sure. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – As a Korean American gyopo, my work blends documentary and fine art approaches to explore Korean culture from the perspective of both insider and outsider.

A photo of Pro Wrestling Society Korea during Block Party 2024. PWS is an incredible group of athletes whose passion is to bring indie wrestling to audiences in Korea. They typically hold events at PWS STUDIO in Pyeongtaek-si, but also do many outreach events in smaller venues throughout the country. Their high-energy shows have gained them a loyal and rapidly growing following. Simply put, they are incredible.

MARTINA HOLMBERG

This touching portrait highlights the photographer’s openness to understand the subject, their ability to tell the stories as they are without interfering. It also showcases the photographer’s ability to create a simple yet meaningful composition, using just negative space and natural lighting. Furthermore, the contrast between light and shadows complements the subject’s journey, which only increases the value of the photograph. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – When 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. Mel’s sister died but Mel survived with severe burns. Throughout her life, she has lived with the aftermath of the accident and a deviant appearance. Today she has made peace with herself and her scars. It is a part of who she is. Mel has lived her dreams and graduated as a lawyer. She wants to encourage others with a visible difference to follow their dreams.

JAIME ALVAREZ

Scenes of life. The space around us that seems so familiar and comfortable hides endless stories of all the people who passed by. Our surroundings are nothing but layers of stories. It takes a keen eye and a kind soul to take time to notice, connect, and fill a frame with what for some may seem forgotten, unimportant, or even confronting. Again and again, photography proves to be the perfect way to document our reality. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – I’m a Puerto Rican Photographer living and working in Philadelphia. I have a daily ritual of walking around and documenting spaces around me with my camera. This image is from a series called Ritual – photographs about the space and light where I felt a sense of spirituality.

Pay Beauty, Philadelphia, PA 2025.

ELENA DONSKAYA

Resembling a painting in the smallest details, the photograph is testimony to the photographer’s technical skills and art knowledge. It’s impressive how well the outfit blends into the background and how well the lighting recreates the skin tone one would see in a painting. This is a complex work of art that takes lots of time and dedication. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Madonna.

DAVIDE BASTIANELLI

It’s a candid and playful composition that highlights the photographer’s ability to engage with the subject and go with the flow of the events. A sky full of kites can make a child stop in awe, but it takes an attentive photographer to find the best angle to capture this moment for us. The low angle and the blurred foreground do the trick. It’s a game of proportions and perspective that plays to our favor. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Alone with the immensity, Festa dell’Aquilone 2024. A traditional festival in Urbino, Italy, where people fly kites and try to make them soar as far as possible. At the heart of this celebration are the children, who gaze at the sky and dream.