Winners Announced for the 40th Annual Photography Competition by the Professional Photographers Association
The 40th Annual AOP Photography Awards Honor Outstanding Visual Storytelling
The 40th annual AOP Photography Awards have announced their winners, recognizing the height of professional skill, technical mastery, and creative ingenuity in photography. The Association of Photographers (AOP) offers a platform for both amateur and professional photographers, highlighting exceptional work across diverse categories.
This year’s accolades were awarded to Tom Parker, who received Best in Show (Personal/Non-Commissioned) for his stunning photograph, “Shape Shifting the Steppes,” which features a Mongolian contortionist performing in a diner. James Day was awarded Best in Show (Commissioned) for his depiction of a museum guard, showcasing a clean and refined aesthetic.
In addition to these premier honors, the competition acknowledged ten category winners, each demonstrating their prowess across various photography styles. Among the notable winners, Jack Currie took home the Emerging Talent Award for “Gangster Granny,” while Ruben Davies won the AOP Discovery Award with “Liturgy of the Unseen.” In the fashion category, Hugh Fox’s “Entering the Fall” was victorious, and Owen Harvey’s “Miles Ahead” shone in Lifestyle photography.
The awards also recognized excellence in specialized fields. Yuki Suguira’s “Japanese Knife Forfes” excelled in Spaces, and Kai Bastard was granted the Martin Evening Excellence in Digital Retouching Award for “Rock Paper Scissors.” Todd Antony excelled in the Portrait category with “Buzkashi Abdulqadir,” while David Clerihew was honored in Sport for “Sébastein Foucan,” and again in the Project category for “Capturing America’s Gun Paradox Through a Lens.”
In the Environment category, Sean Breithaupt’s “Patterns in a Floodzone” took the top spot, and Lewis Khan’s “Shrovetide” was recognized as Best in Moving. Each photograph offers a distinct viewpoint, illustrating how talent and vision converge to create impactful visual stories.
AOP CEO Isabelle Doran expressed appreciation to the judges for their insightful selections, underscoring the diverse and meaningful narratives conveyed through the captured images. As the digital landscape evolves, exhibitions like the AOP Awards celebrate the timeless art of photography and its capacity to tell engaging stories.
For a closer look at the winning entries and other outstanding finalists, visit the AOP website. The award gallery provides an extensive overview of the innovative images honored at this year’s prestigious event.