Announcing the Winners of the 2025 500px Global Photography Awards

The 500px Global Photography Awards celebrate the photographers whose creativity, technical mastery, and storytelling defined the year. After reviewing thousands of powerful submissions from around the world, we are proud to present the winners of the 2025 Awards, a remarkable group of artists whose work stood out for impact, originality, and excellence.

This year’s Awards were judged across five categories: Architecture, Animal, Landscape, Portrait, and Real Stories with two winners recognized in each category: Judges’ Choice and People’s Choice. These winners represent the strongest individual images across the competition.

From within this extraordinary group, two creators earned the highest honors of the entire Awards: 500px Photographer of the Year and Popular Photographer of the Year, selected for overall excellence and for exceptional community resonance.

Read on to explore every winning image and discover who earned the top titles of 2025.

Judges’ Choice Category Winners

Architecture

Winner: Louis-Philippe Provost

Judge: Branden May

Street and architecture photographer with a dramatic, contrast-driven style

“This image commands attention through sculptural geometry, masterful tonal control, and a perfectly balanced perspective that transforms raw concrete into a strikingly poetic architectural composition.”

Animal

Winner: Lukas Trixl

Judge: Ryo Utsunomiya

500px Ambassador blending wildlife and conceptual narrative

“This photograph demonstrates a keen understanding of light. Side lighting outlines the fur seal and the surrounding rocks beautifully. A calm, dignified moment captured with impressive balance and natural elegance.”

Landscape

Winner: Nathan Wirth

Judge: Agnieszka Wieczorek

Travel photographer and mentor known for vibrant cultural storytelling

“Minimal in composition yet emotionally strong. The image relies on contrast, atmosphere, and restraint to convey tension and mood within the landscape.”

Portrait

Winner: GZ Miimaa

Judge: Natascia Mercurio

Portrait photographer exploring emotional nuance and human expression

“A dominant, unforgettable portrait. Meticulously composed and rich in mood, whose quiet authority sets the benchmark for the entire series.”

Real Stories

Winner: Roberto Pazzi

Judge: Krid Karnsomdee

500px Ambassador known for minimalist, geometric imagery

“I love this photo because it depicts a lifestyle that is hard to come by today. Shot in South Sudan, the backlighting is excellent, the subject is clear enough to reveal the textures of the mud and dirt. The environment tells a deeper story about responsibility and resilience.”

Click here to view all finalists who reached the final round of judging.

People’s Choice Winners

Selected by our global community on PULSEpx, these images captured the hearts of photographers and viewers alike.

Architecture: lukasz_de_83

Animal: uggetheexplorer

Landscape: hannahmarlenephoto

Portrait: zamira

Real Stories: flavio_souza_cruz

Across all categories and thousands of votes, two photographers captured the highest recognition of the entire competition.

500px Photographer of the Year

GZ Miimaa

GZ Miimaa’s portfolio showcases an exceptional command of portraiture and cultural storytelling. His work highlights the quiet power of human connection, rendered with striking mood, clarity, and control. This refined, emotionally rich body of work earned him the title of 500px Photographer of the Year, a well-deserved recognition of his artistic excellence.

View GZ Miimaa profile on 500px

Popular Photographer of the Year

uggetheexplorer

Earning the highest number of votes across the entire competition, uggetheexplorer has been named Popular Photographer of the Year. Their wildlife imagery captivated the global community on PULSEpx, resonating with viewers for its atmosphere, emotion, and immersive storytelling. This title reflects the strong connection their work built with photographers and fans around the world.

View uggetheexplorer profile on PULSEpx

Awards & Prizes

This year’s winners received prizes sponsored by vivo, including the flagship vivo X300 Pro, the vivo Professional Photography Kit, and 500px Pro and Awesome Memberships.

Our two top titles were awarded additional cash prizes from 500px:

• $1,500 USD for the Judges’ Choice Photographer of the Year
• $1,000 USD for the People’s Choice Popular Photographer of the Year

These prizes are designed to support photographers as they continue to explore, create, and innovate.

A special thank you to vivo, the Exclusive Sponsor of the 2025 500px Global Photography Awards, for supporting photographers and powering this year’s celebration of creativity.

Thank You to the 500px Community

To everyone who participated by submitting, judging, or voting, thank you for making this year’s Awards extraordinary. Your creativity fuels this global community, and we are honored to celebrate your work.

Stay tuned for more creative opportunities and upcoming announcements on 500px.

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Guiding the Eye: Mastering Leading Lines in Composition

Leading lines are one of photography’s most powerful compositional tools. Whether subtle or striking, these visual pathways help guide the viewer’s eye through the image and emphasize the story you want to tell. By mastering leading lines in composition, you can elevate your photography from snapshot to storytelling.

Let’s explore how to identify, use, and enhance leading lines with purpose and creativity.

What Are Leading Lines in Composition?

Leading lines in composition refer to natural or man-made elements in a photo that create a visual path. These lines draw the viewer’s attention to key subjects or guide their gaze through the image.

Some common types of leading lines include:

• Roads, paths, or trails
• Fences, bridges, or railings
• Rivers or shorelines
• Shadows or beams of light
• Architectural lines like hallways or windows

Pro Tip: Strong leading lines lead somewhere, ideally to your subject or focal point.

Why Use Leading Lines in Photography?

Leading lines do more than add structure; they create flow. This sense of direction helps control how your image is consumed, making your storytelling more deliberate.

Leading lines in composition also:

• Create a sense of depth or perspective
• Add dynamic energy to still scenes
• Strengthen your visual hierarchy
• Encourage emotional or symbolic interpretation

 

How to Use Leading Lines Effectively

Here’s how to make the most of leading lines in your photography:

1. Frame with Intention

Position your lines so they start near the edge of the frame and move inward toward your subject. Diagonal lines can add drama, while curved lines suggest calmness.

2. Use Wide Angles for Impact

Wide-angle lenses exaggerate the effect of perspective, making leading lines more prominent and dramatic, especially in landscape or architecture photography.

3. Layer for Depth

Combine multiple lines or intersecting elements to add visual layers. For example, a winding path leading to a tree framed by a bridge arch adds complexity and narrative depth.

Genre Applications of Leading Lines

Landscape Photography: Use trails, rivers, or rock formations to draw attention to natural focal points.
Street Photography: Capture crosswalks, shadows, or railings that pull the eye toward your subject.
Portraiture: Employ fences, hallways, or light beams to emphasize your subject subtly and creatively.

Pro Tip: Practice spotting leading lines everywhere, in architecture, nature, even reflections. With training, you’ll see opportunities everywhere.

Editing for Stronger Composition

Don’t be afraid to crop or adjust angles in post-production to improve how your leading lines function. Subtle tweaks in rotation or exposure can enhance the direction and flow without changing the image’s core essence.

Let the Lines Lead the Story

When used thoughtfully, leading lines in composition give your photos energy, structure, and intention. They’re not just about aesthetic appeal; they’re about storytelling and guiding the viewer’s emotional journey.

So next time you’re composing a shot, ask yourself: Where do I want the viewer’s eye to go?

Then let the lines do the talking.

Extended reading: Harnessing the power of the rule of thirds

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Framing with Purpose: Using the Rule of Thirds in Photography

The rule of thirds is one of the most well-known and widely used compositional techniques in photography. But when applied with intention, it becomes more than a guideline; it becomes a tool for purposeful storytelling and emotional impact.

Let’s explore how you can use the rule of thirds in photography to frame with purpose and elevate your shots from good to unforgettable.

What Is the Rule of Thirds in Photography?

The rule of thirds in photography is a simple compositional technique that divides your frame into nine equal parts using two horizontal and two vertical lines. The idea is to place your subject or key elements along these lines or at their intersections.

Why does this matter?
Because our eyes naturally gravitate toward these points, creating balance and tension that feels both natural and dynamic.

Why Framing with Purpose Matters

Pro Tip: Use the rule of thirds to guide the viewer’s eye, not just to follow a rule

When you frame with purpose, you’re making conscious decisions about:

• What the focal point is
• How you want the viewer to feel
• Where you want their attention to go

The rule of thirds in photography helps you compose scenes that are visually engaging while reinforcing the story you’re telling.

 

Applying the Rule of Thirds in Different Photography Styles

Here are ways you can apply the rule of thirds across genres:

1. Portraits

Instead of centering your subject, try placing their eyes along the top third line or aligning their face at an intersection point. This adds balance while allowing room for context or leading lines.

2. Landscapes

Place the horizon along the top or bottom third, depending on what you want to emphasize; sky or land. This instantly creates more depth and interest.

3. Street or Candid Photography

Use intersections to align people within busy scenes, letting the rest of the image support their story.

When to Break the Rule

Yes, you can break the rule of thirds. But when you do, do it with intention.

For example:

• Centering your subject can create symmetry and power.
• Off-balance framing might evoke tension or unease.

Pro Tip: Master the rule of thirds in photography first, then learn when it’s worth breaking

Knowing when to follow and when to bend the rule gives you more creative control and visual impact.

Practice Makes Purposeful

To start using the rule of thirds in photography with greater impact:

• Turn on your camera’s grid overlay
• Experiment with different focal points and placements
• Review your favorite photos and notice how they’re composed
• Crop intentionally during editing to reinforce visual flow

Framing isn’t just about what’s in the photo, it’s about why you’re placing it there.

Conclusion: Frame to Tell, Not Just to Show

The rule of thirds in photography is more than a formula, it’s a doorway into thoughtful, expressive composition. When you use it to frame with purpose, you invite your audience to see and feel what you saw in that moment.

So next time you raise your camera, pause. Ask yourself: Where does the story live in this frame?

Then place it with purpose.

Extended reading: 14 photography composition tips that aren’t the rule of thirds 

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Start a Photo Project That Reflects Your Style and Story

Starting a photo project is one of the most powerful ways to deepen your voice as a photographer. Rather than capturing random images, a project gives your work focus, continuity, and personal meaning. When your photography reflects your style and story, it connects more deeply with your audience and with yourself.

Here’s how to begin a photo project that’s true to who you are.

Why Start a Personal Photo Project?

Photo projects do more than build a body of work; they help you:

• Develop a consistent visual style
• Explore a subject or theme in depth
• Share a meaningful perspective or experience
• Stay motivated through creative structure

A project can be as simple as a 30-day photo challenge or as elaborate as a long-term documentary series. What matters most is that it reflects your story.

Define What You Want to Say

Pro Tip: Start with your personal experiences or recurring curiosities

Ask yourself:

• What stories do I want to tell?
• What emotions or memories do I want to capture?
• What subjects am I naturally drawn to?

Whether it’s the quiet rhythm of your neighborhood, a cultural tradition, or your own journey of growth, your project should resonate with something personal.

Choose a Format That Fits Your Style

Depending on how you shoot and what you want to express, your photo project could take the form of:

• A weekly photo journal
• A visual series on one theme (e.g., solitude, color, community)
• A before-and-after exploration (e.g., seasons, aging, urban change)
• An experimental technique study (e.g., long exposures, silhouettes)

The format should support your creative voice and help showcase your style.

 

Set a Structure That Keeps You Accountable

Consistency matters more than perfection. Set small, clear commitments, like:

• “One photo every day for 30 days”
• “A new portrait series every weekend”
• “Monthly posts tracking a single subject’s change over time”

This builds momentum and gives you a trackable way to see your growth over time.

Edit and Curate With Intention

Not every photo you take will make the final cut and that’s okay. Editing and curation are part of the storytelling process.

Pro Tip: Review your images with your project’s message in mind

Look for:

• Visual consistency (color, light, framing)
• Emotional tone
• Narrative clarity

What do your best images say together that a single image can’t say alone?

Share Your Story with Confidence

Once you’ve built a collection, decide how you want to share it:

• A printed zine or photo book
• A dedicated gallery or Instagram series
• A blog post with reflections
• A submission to an exhibition or photography platform

Let your audience into your process. Tell them why this story matters to you and why it should matter to them, too.

Your Style. Your Story. Your Project.

The most impactful photo projects come from a place of honesty. When you follow your instincts, trust your eye, and stay close to what matters to you, your photography will speak louder than ever.

Now is the perfect time to begin.

Extended reading: Nine tips for building your photography portfolio

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How to Set Skill-Based Goals and Track Your Progress in Photography

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned photographer, setting skill-based goals can help you stay motivated, focused, and continually growing. It’s easy to fall into the habit of shooting without intention, but when you define clear goals and track your progress, you create a roadmap for personal and creative development.

In this guide, we’ll explore how to set meaningful photography goals, break them into achievable steps, and measure your improvement over time.

Why Set Skill-Based Goals in Photography?

Setting skill-based goals gives your photography practice structure and purpose. Rather than simply aiming to “take better photos,” you can target specific areas like:

• Mastering manual settings
• Improving composition
• Learning new editing techniques
• Developing a cohesive style
• Building confidence in portrait sessions

When your goals are tied to skills, you get clearer feedback on your growth and have more control over your learning path.\

Step 1: Choose a Focus Area

Pro Tip: Define one primary skill to focus on per month

Instead of overwhelming yourself with multiple goals, choose a single skill that excites you. For example:

• January: Master depth of field
• February: Practice low light photography
• March: Learn to direct subjects for natural portraits

This builds momentum and allows for deeper learning.

Step 2: Set SMART Photography Goals

Use the SMART framework to structure your goals:

• Specific – “Learn how to shoot in manual mode”
• Measurable – “Shoot 3 sessions entirely in manual this month”
• Achievable – Align with your current gear and time constraints
• Relevant – Make sure it matches your photography style or interests
• Time-bound – “Complete by the end of the month”

This clarity helps keep you accountable and focused.

 

Step 3: Create a System for Tracking Progress

Pro Tip: Keep a simple photo journal or spreadsheet

Document what you’re working on each week, what worked, and what didn’t. You can include:

• Before-and-after edits
• Notes on settings used
• Challenges faced
• Lessons learned

Over time, this becomes a visual record of your growth and a powerful source of encouragement.

Step 4: Get Feedback and Reflect

Feedback accelerates growth. Share your work on photography forums, in critique groups, or with a mentor. Ask specific questions like:

• “How can I improve the lighting here?”
• “Does this composition feel balanced?”
• “Is the color grading effective?”

Also, take time to reflect on your own progress monthly. What new skills came naturally? What still challenges you?

Step 5: Celebrate Milestones and Adjust Goals

Growth in photography isn’t linear, and that’s okay. Celebrate small wins like nailing your first long exposure shot or getting a compliment from a peer. And be willing to adjust goals if they no longer serve your creative direction.

Tracking your progress will show you just how far you’ve come, even when it doesn’t always feel like it.

Build the Photographer You Want to Be

Photography is a lifelong journey of learning. By setting skill-based goals and tracking your progress consistently, you’ll not only improve your technical abilities, but you’ll also discover more joy, confidence, and intention in your creative practice.

So grab your camera, choose your first goal, and let your next chapter begin.

Extended reading: 9 Ways to Learn Photography

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Streamline Your Workflow: Tools and Techniques for the Year Ahead

A new year is the perfect time to reflect, reset, and refine how you work behind the scenes. As photographers, it’s easy to get caught up in the creative rush and overlook the systems that support your creativity. But when your workflow is smooth, efficient, and well-organized, you free up more time and headspace to focus on the moments that matter most.

Here’s how to streamline your workflow with tools and techniques that will elevate your photography game in the year ahead.

Assess Your Current Photography Workflow

Before you can improve, you need to understand what’s slowing you down.

Ask yourself:

• Where do I waste the most time: shooting, editing, organizing, or exporting?
• Are my files easy to find and back up?
• Do I enjoy my current process, or does it feel chaotic?

Identify one or two bottlenecks. That’s where you’ll get the biggest return from streamlining.

1. Use Consistent File Naming and Folder Structures

Pro Tip: Create a master folder system

Use consistent folder names by date, client name, or project type:

• 2026_01_StudioPortraits
• 2026_02_Travel_Iceland

This habit alone can save hours when organizing or retrieving files later.

2. Automate Routine Tasks

Let your tools work for you. Automate where possible:

• Use Lightroom presets for common editing styles
• Apply import metadata templates for copyright info
• Create Photoshop actions to batch-process common steps

Automation reduces repetitive work and speeds up your editing dramatically.

 

3. Master Your Editing Software

Whether you use Lightroom, Capture One, or another tool, learning it deeply pays off.

Watch tutorials, use keyboard shortcuts, and experiment with features like:

• Smart collections
• Virtual copies
• Sync editing

You’ll not only work faster, but also produce more consistent, polished results.

4. Back Up Smarter, Not Harder

Don’t let lost files haunt you. Use the 3-2-1 method:

• 3 copies of your work
• 2 local (external hard drive + working computer)
• 1 cloud-based solution (like Backblaze or Dropbox)

Schedule weekly automatic backups so you never have to think about it again.

5. Explore Tools That Fit Your Workflow

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. But here are some favorites to consider:

• Photo Mechanic – lightning-fast image culling
• Narrative Select – AI-assisted selection for portrait sessions
• Pixieset / Pic-Time – seamless client galleries
• Trello / Notion – project and content planning
• JPEGmini – compresses images without losing quality for web delivery

Make 2025 Your Most Organized Year Yet

Streamlining your workflow doesn’t mean losing creativity, it means making space for it. By identifying inefficiencies, adopting helpful tools, and creating better systems, you can save time, reduce stress, and focus more on what you love: capturing great images.

Take time this January to fine-tune your photography workflow and set yourself up for success in the year ahead.

Extended reading: How to tell a story through your pictures (with photo essay examples)

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Designing a Photography Routine That Fuels Growth

Whether you’re just beginning your photography journey or have years of experience, one thing remains true: growth doesn’t happen by accident. It requires consistency, intention, and practice. Designing a photography routine that fuels growth helps you stay motivated, improve your technical skills, and find creative flow.

Let’s explore how to build a photography routine that works for your life and inspires ongoing progress.

Why a Photography Routine Matters

Many photographers wait for inspiration to strike but the most meaningful work often comes from showing up regularly. A consistent photography routine:

• Builds muscle memory with your gear and settings
• Encourages experimentation and creative risks
• Helps track your progress over time
• Turns photography into a habit instead of a one-off effort

In short, the more you shoot, the more you learn.

1. Define Your Photography Goals

Before creating a routine, identify what growth looks like for you.

• Do you want to improve your portrait lighting?
• Are you trying to master manual mode?
• Maybe you want to build a body of work for a portfolio or social media?

Write down 2–3 specific photography goals. These will guide your focus and ensure your routine supports meaningful progress.

2. Choose a Realistic Schedule

Consistency matters more than intensity. If you can’t shoot daily, that’s okay. Start with:

• One dedicated photo session per week
• One editing session per week
• 15 minutes of photo study or inspiration every few days

Small, regular actions lead to long-term growth. Don’t overwhelm yourself, build a routine you can stick to.

 

3. Mix Practice with Play

Balance technical practice with creative exploration. Some days, focus on:

• Technique: e.g., long exposure, color grading, composition
• Creativity: e.g., self-portraits, abstract themes, storytelling

A healthy mix of structure and play keeps your routine both productive and enjoyable.

4. Review and Reflect Monthly

Growth isn’t just about creating, it’s also about evaluating.

At the end of each month:

• Choose 3–5 of your favorite images
• Note what worked and what didn’t
• Compare with previous months to see improvement

This reflection phase is key to learning and motivation.

5. Stay Inspired with Prompts and Challenges

Incorporate fresh ideas into your routine with photography prompts, seasonal projects, or online challenges. This keeps your creativity sharp and your mind open.

Building Habits for Long-Term Progress

Designing a photography routine that fuels growth isn’t about perfection, it’s about showing up with purpose. When you carve out time for regular practice, reflection, and inspiration, your skills naturally evolve. Your voice as a photographer becomes clearer, and your portfolio becomes richer.

Start small, stay consistent, and remember: growth comes with every frame you capture.

Read more: Creating a Visual Year in Review: A Personal Photo Essay

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