Iranian Photographers Shine: 10 Stunning Images Triumph at the 2025 International Photography Awards
The International Photography Awards (IPA) 2025 has unveiled its winners, celebrating remarkable talent from around the globe, including ten stunning photographs by Iranian photographers. This prestigious competition showcases the creativity and skill of photographers across various categories, highlighting significant themes through their lens.
Renowned photography experts formed a stellar international jury to evaluate over 14,000 entries from 100 countries for the 2025 Photography Competition. The winners were announced in both professional and non-professional/student categories, with Iranian photographers achieving notable recognition.
Top Winners from Iran
Two talented Iranian photographers seized the coveted 1st Place prizes in their respective categories:
- Mehrdad Oskouei for “Amidst the Rubble of Disaster” in the Analog, Film, Photojournalism category. This poignant photograph captures a boy’s desperate search for his family and belongings in the aftermath of an earthquake in a village near Qazvin, Iran.
- Arlen Keshishian for “Perspective” in the Fine Art, Collage category. This artwork is a fine art photo montage that expresses the photographer’s unique viewpoint through artistic editing in his home studio.
Second Place Achievements
Seven Iranian photographers earned 2nd Place prizes across various categories, showcasing the depth of talent in the region:
- Ehsan Moradi won in the Editorial, Press, Environmental section for “Water is not the source of life.” This impactful image highlights the dire situation of drinking water in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, emphasizing contamination issues.
- Hadi Dehghanpour received recognition in the Event, Social Cause category for “Petition Writing,” depicting protesters advocating against war in the Middle East.
- Mehdi Parsaeian was awarded for “Peak of Light” in the Fine Art, Landscape category, capturing the ethereal beauty of the Caracal Desert in Yazd.
- Masoumeh Rahimi won for “The Commotion” in the People, Self-Portrait category, showcasing a self-portrait that reflects the artist’s inner thoughts through a series of mobile photography.
- Abolghasem Khoshro received both 2nd and 3rd Place prizes for “Niavaran Palace” in Fine Art, Architecture, and “Legend 1” in the Fine Art, Minimalism category.
- Majid Hojati (Maho) was recognized for “Eid morning day” in the People, Traditions, Culture category and “Nowruz, the ancient heritage of Iran” for another 3rd Place win in the same category.
Significance of Nowruz
The photo titled “Nowruz, the ancient heritage of Iran” depicts five young girls in colorful traditional dresses, symbolizing the joyous occasion of the New Year. Nowruz, which marks the first day of spring and the solar new year, is a celebration deeply rooted in Iranian culture, recognized by the United Nations as International Nowruz Day, promoting peace and coexistence.
About the International Photography Awards
The IPA conducts an annual competition that attracts professional, amateur, and student photographers from around the world. It is recognized as one of the most comprehensive photography competitions globally, with a mission to:
- Honor the achievements of the world’s finest photographers.
- Discover new and emerging talent.
- Promote the appreciation of photography.
Winners in both professional and amateur categories will compete for prestigious titles at the annual IPA Awards Gala. The main prize for the International Photographer of the Year is awarded to one of the 11 professional category winners, along with a cash prize of $10,000. The title of Discovery of the Year will be awarded to the best non-professional/student category winner, who will receive $5,000.
IPA is associated with the Lucie Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to honoring master photographers and fostering emerging talent while promoting photography appreciation globally. The annual programming of the Lucie Foundation is significantly funded by the International Photography Awards, including their flagship event, the Lucie Awards.
In conclusion, the International Photography Awards 2025 has not only recognized the excellence of Iranian photographers but has also highlighted the power of photography to tell compelling stories and address pressing issues. As these talented individuals continue to inspire through their art, the world eagerly anticipates the future contributions of photography in advocating for social change and cultural appreciation.
