7 prominent international judges evaluated more than 87,000 images from 50,000 photographers.

HIPA highlights the growing legal awareness among photography communities

• Bin Thalith: Each year over 20 photographers experience their very first career win through HIPA and we are honoured to be considered a photography reference point.
• Bin Thalith: HIPA is a trusted hub for visual creativity and a platform dedicated to modern education in the art of photography.
• Bin Thalith: We are pleased to see a rise in photographers’ awareness of intellectual property rights and a decrease in incomplete submissions.
• Jury member, Aida Muluneh: Collaborating with HIPA is a great honour. It is a platform that amplifies the voices of photographers from all around the world.
• Jury member, Armand Sarlangue: I am very happy with this experience. HIPA is a dynamic platform that celebrates photography in its most inspiring and diverse forms.

The Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA), has announced the conclusion of its judging process for the 14^th season ‘Power’, which began on July 1st. In a statement, His Excellency Ali Khalifa bin Thalith, Secretary General of HIPA said, “At HIPA, we uphold confidentiality and the principle of fair opportunities, which is why we only reveal the names of jury members after judging is complete. This year, more than 87,000 photographs were evaluated, submitted by over 50,000 photographers. Everyone now eagerly awaits the winner announcements in November.”

Bin Thalith: Encouraging Legal Awareness and Protecting Intellectual Property

Bin Thalith, said: “We are delighted with the quality of results received from the judging panel and the reduced number of submissions rejected due to incomplete entries or intellectual property law reasonings. This increased level of awareness to our rules and regulations from the photography community showcases the positive impact of our ongoing efforts”.

His Excellency added: "We are proud of the caliber of our jury members, who come from diverse photographic schools and bring extensive experience from different fields. HIPA's Board of Trustees always ensures judges are well-matched to the award’s themes, with emphasis on continuous practice to guarantee depth, diversity, and comprehensive evaluation criteria.”

Ethiopian photographer and curator, Aida Muluneh, expressed her experience, saying: “It was a great honor for me to be part of the judging panel for the 14th season of HIPA. As this was my first experience, I was deeply impressed by its global reach and the way it celebrated photography as a powerful tool for communication and storytelling. The judging process was rigorous and inspiring, allowing us to reflect on the diversity of the submitted work. The quality of the entries was exceptional, from exquisitely crafted pieces to powerful narratives that reveal the resilience and creativity of photographers around the world.

She added: "What I value most about HIPA is its role in providing a platform where the voices of photographers from around the world are heard. I hope this organisation will continue to inspire young and emerging photographers to participate, share their visions and believe in the power of photography to shape dialogue and understanding across cultures."

French photographer and curator, Armand Sarlangue, said he was delighted to be a jury member at HIPA, describing the award as an effective platform that celebrates photography in its most inspiring and diverse forms. He added: “The judging process was both challenging and inspiring, as it pushed me to connect with the profound messages conveyed by the participating works. I was particularly impressed by the diversity of perspectives and the powerful narrative conveyed by the images. This experience has redefined photography as a universal language capable of connecting people and emotions across the world.”

Instagram Competition Winners: A Strong Message for Humanity

HIPA also unveiled a selection of inspiring images from the winning entries in the 2025 Instagram competitions: ‘Environmental’, ‘Human Connection’ and ‘Children’. As always, the award received thousands of entries from amateur and professional photography communities, with winners chosen from shortlists from each competition. The selected photographs from Instagram competitions showcase excellence in both composition and impact.

From the ‘Environment’ category: Bahraini photographer Zakariya Omran (@zakariya_omran) won with ‘Plastic Blindness’, showing a seagull blinded by a plastic bag wrapped around its head—a stark symbol of human neglect and the catastrophic effects of plastic pollution.

From ‘Human Touch’: Algerian photographer Akram Menari (@akrammenari) won with ‘The Hand That Never Leaves’, a moving portrait of his late grandfather caring for his wife during the COVID-19 pandemic, holding an IV bag with unwavering love and determination.

From ‘Children’: Saudi photographer Fawaz Al-Sharif (@fwz_photos1) won with ‘All the Feelings of the World’, taken at Soka El Fateh Children’s Hospital in Burkina Faso. We see the child crying, clinging to his mother’s arms before his scheduled surgery, as she consults with the medical team in charge of the operation.

All Instagram competition winners received HIPA’s commemorative medal, and their images were published on the official Instagram account @HIPAae.

Bin Thalith concluded his statement by saying: “We share with the public a collection of inspiring winning photographs that reflect the powerful impact and meaning of photography and its ability to spark human interaction and enhance international interest in global issues. Every year, HIPA brings around 20 photographers their very first taste of victory. Many consider us a trusted creative incubator and reference point for their future photography journey. From the beginning, HIPA has aimed to be a generous educational platform that shares knowledge and inspiration with photography communities.”

Looking Ahead
The winners of the ‘Power’ season will be announced in November, with high expectations for another set of moving, thought-provoking images that reflect the strength of visual storytelling.

Meet our Judges:

 

Aida Muluneh

Renowned photographer and curator, Aida Muluneh is bringing her sharp eye and global perspective to this year’s photo contest. Born in Addis Ababa and trained at Howard University, her work has graced the walls of MoMA and the Smithsonian, and she continues to shape the future of photography across Africa through education, festivals and advocacy.
A visionary and a trailblazer, Aida is not only judging but also reshaping how the world sees the continent.

Armand Sarlangue

A full-time nature photographer and visual storyteller, Armand Sarlangue brings over 16 years of experience behind the lens, continuing a legacy that began with his father. From award-winning aerial shots to deeply emotional landscapes, his work reflects a lifelong passion for the natural world and a mission to inspire conservation through beauty.
Nature is his language. Photography, his connection.

Dennis Schmelz

From the icy extremes of Antarctica to the bright lights of Times Square, Dennis Schmelz captures the world in ways few can. A celebrated photo and video artist, Dennis turns remote landscapes into visual poetry, with his passion for nature and storytelling driving every frame. His work has been honoured globally, most recently winning Best Travel Film at the Cannes World Film Festival, and his NFTs lit up Times Square in front of thousands.

Filip Hrebenda

Slovakian landscape photographer Filip Hrebenda doesn’t just take photos, he braves volcanic gases, polar winds and mountaintop storms to bring back perspectives few will ever witness. His passion for remote, untamed nature shines through every image, telling raw, emotional stories of Earth’s wildest corners.

Published by CNN, BBC and National Geographic and exhibited worldwide, Filip's work captures the fragile beauty of places most of us will never reach. With each frame, he invites us to see the world as he sees it - from the edge.

Jaime Rojo

Environmental storyteller Jaime Rojo uses his lens to inspire change. With a background in environmental sciences, Jaime’s award-winning work, including his Saving the Monarchs project featured on NatGeo’s January 2024 cover, highlights wildlife and wilderness conservation. Through his photography, Jaime doesn’t just show nature’s beauty - he urges us to protect it.

Muhammed Muheisen

Two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and acclaimed photojournalist Muhammed Muheisen brings over 20 years of experience documenting stories of resilience amidst conflict and displacement around the globe. Founder of the Everyday Refugees Foundation, Muhammed’s compassionate lens has shed light on refugee crises from Asia to Africa, earning him TIME’s Best Wire Photographer award and the National Geographic Wayfinder Award. His powerful journey is featured in Muhammed Muheisen: Finding the Light, streaming now on Disney+ and NatGeo.

Oscar J. Barroso

From the sun-soaked Andalusian coast to the roar of MotoGP and Formula 1 circuits, Oscar J. Barroso has captured the heart of sports and human stories for over a decade. Founder of AFP7 and Danto Press, Oscar’s award-winning photojournalism spans elite sports, social projects and powerful pandemic storytelling. His recent book, Fotoperiodismo Deportivo (2025), showcases his unique perspective on sports photography, while his poignant Covid-19: Más allá de los límites highlights the heroes behind the crisis.A seasoned judge and educator, Oscar brings a wealth of experience to our panel.