Meet the Winners of the International Amateur Photographer of the Year Competition 2025

by Jessica Miller

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Shelf	Cameras & Lenses
Date in	Mar 05, 2026
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The International Amateur Photographer of the Year competition reveals its winners for 2025, showcasing exceptional talent and creativity in photography.

Meet the Winners of the International Amateur Photographer of the Year Competition 2025

The results are in for this year's International Amateur Photographer of the Year (IAPOY) competition, celebrating the creativity and skill of amateur photographers. With ten themed categories that spanned over the last year, the competition highlights the best talent in the field. The prestigious title of International Amateur Photographer of the Year was awarded to Bircan Harper from Truro, Cornwall, while the Young International Photographer of the Year title was jointly won by two remarkable photographers, Ben Hancock-Smith and Matteo Botta. Let's dive into their impressive works and stories.

International Amateur Photographer of the Year: Bircan Harper

Flying flock of birds in the foreground against the softness of the elephant in the background — A stunning and original photograph from Botswana gave Bircan seventh place in Round Eight, Movement. Image: Bircan Harper

Photo of a single penguin walking through a snow storm — Bircan came in eighth place in the Animal Kingdom round with this charming Gentoo penguin. Image: Bircan Harper

A boy holding a candle at Ethiopia’s Genna — Round Two, People and Portraits, saw Bircan achieve sixth place for her image of a young boy in Ethiopia during the celebration of Genna. Image: Bircan Harper

Sunset orange landscape with cheetah sat under a tree silhouette — This silhouette of a cheetah earned Bircan sixth place in the Landscapes category. Image: Bircan Harper

Currently pursuing an MA in Fine Art at Falmouth University, Bircan Harper has a diverse portfolio that reflects her creativity. Her workshop, which serves as both a ceramics studio and darkroom, embodies her artistic versatility as she draws inspiration from various disciplines, including life drawing and textiles. With a passion for wildlife photography, Bircan travels extensively to capture the world’s diverse cultures and natural spectacles, which she expresses through her evocative images.

Over her journey in the competition, Bircan secured 405 points, finishing in the top ten of seven rounds and earning a shortlist in an eighth, showcasing her consistency and dedication. As the reigning International Amateur Photographer of the Year, she takes home a £1,000 voucher for Camera Centre UK and a £100 voucher for Bob Books, solidifying her status in the photography community.

Runner-up: Azim Khan Ronnie

A textile worker in Narayanganj, Bangladesh, carefully arranging freshly dyed fabrics on wooden frames — Another first place in Round Two, People and Portraits, with this originally composed image. Image: Azim Khan Ronnie

Silhouette of person leaping between two walls — Azim was awarded first place in Round Eight, Movement, with this outstanding action shot. Image: Azim Khan Ronnie

Originally from Dhaka, Bangladesh, Azim Khan Ronnie currently resides in France. His deep-rooted passion for photography drives him to capture meaningful moments from everyday life, creating static memories that resonate emotionally. He received 350 points throughout the competition, taking first place in both the People and Portraits and Movement rounds, alongside securing top ten placements in two other categories. This breadth of achievement underscores Azim's commitment to refining his art and engaging with diverse subjects.

Young International Amateur Photographer of the Year: Joint Winners

This year’s Young International Amateur Photographer of the Year title was shared between Ben Hancock-Smith from Guildford, Surrey, and Matteo Botta from Lugano, Switzerland. Their joint win marks the continuation of a promising tradition since the competition began.

Ben Hancock-Smith

Close-up portrait of a puffin face and beak — Ben was awarded first place in Round Three, Close-ups and Details, for his tightly cropped portrait of a preening puffin. Image: Ben Hancock-Smith

Ben’s photography, especially his wildlife shots, drew the judges' attention for their creativity and adaptability to various categories. He excelled in the Close-ups and Details round, placing first, and achieved second in both the Night and Low Light and Movement rounds. His sustained performance across the competition indicates not just skill but a profound understanding of how to capture the essence of his subjects.

Matteo Botta

Rider on a horse amidst a crowd of people — Matteo was awarded first place in Round Eight, Movement, for this powerful image taken in Menorca during the Festes de Sant Joan. Image: Matteo Botta

Matteo’s portfolio features varying styles, including travel, documentary, and drone photography. With a keen eye for narrative, he secured the first place for his dynamic capture in the Movement round. He has ranked well in other rounds as well, proving he is a versatile photographer. Together, Ben and Matteo will share a £500 voucher for Camera Centre UK and a £100 voucher for Bob Books, recognizing their exceptional contributions to the competition.

Camera Club of the Year: Plymouth Camera Club

Plymouth Camera Club has clinched the title of Camera Club of the Year for a second consecutive year, amassing 430 points throughout the competition. Notably, this achievement was primarily due to their members consistently being shortlisted, demonstrating dedication and a strong collective effort.

Plymouth Camera Club’s Tim Burgess came fifth in the Landscapes category with this stunning scene, captured in the Italian Alps. Image: Tim Burgess

Paul Hopkins of Plymouth Camera Club captured this quiet moment in gorgeous light, which was shortlisted in the Urban Life category. Image: Paul Hopkins

Despite having only one top-ten placement, the club's consistency was key to their success, emphasizing that regular participation can yield significant rewards. They will be awarded a ViewSonic X2-4K projector worth £1,600, while the leading member contributing to their score will receive a ViewSonic ColorPro VP2786-4K monitor valued at £1,000.

As we look ahead, details for the International Amateur Photographer of the Year 2026 competition will soon be announced, promising another round of breathtaking photography from amateurs.

For continued updates, follow AP on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.

Source: Jessica Miller · amateurphotographer.com