‘HIPA Photographer of the Year’ Category Recognised by Industry Experts as a Landmark in Global Visual Storytelling

DUBAI – The Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) is inviting photographers from around the world to submit their best work to the 14th season of its prestigious annual competition, themed “Power”. With a total prize pool of USD $1 million, the competition offers both emerging and established talent the opportunity to showcase compelling visual narratives, push creative boundaries, receive financial support and gain international recognition.

This year’s competition features five categories:

·       Power (Main Theme)

·       Sports Photography

·       Drone (Video)

·       Portfolio (Story-Telling)

·       General (Colour and Black & White)

Highlights of the 2025 edition include a USD $200,000 Grand Prize, and a dedicated USD $80,000 award for ‘HIPA Photographer of the Year’, designed to honour an exceptional visual storyteller whose work over 12 months captures both artistic excellence and social relevance.

Participation is free and open to all photographers aged 18 and over, with submissions accepted until May 31, 2025, at www.hipa.ae.

HIPA Secretary General Ali Khalifa Bin Thalith explained:

“HIPA is about more than individual images - it’s about empowering photographers to tell stories that resonate across borders and cultures.

We are especially excited to continue growing our ‘HIPA Photographer of the Year’ category, which honours sustained creative impact over time. This award is a call to photographers who are deeply invested in long-term, meaningful work - those whose lens captures not just beauty, but significance. We believe that through this platform, photography can serve as a powerful force for dialogue, understanding and change.”

Now in its second year, the ‘HIPA Photographer of the Year’ category has drawn praise from across the global photography community:

Tom Ang, renowned Australian photographer and author, says:

“This elevates the standing of HIPA internationally - it reinforces photography not just as art form, but as a tool for global understanding and historical memory. These images do more than document - they resist erasure, confront power and preserve the truth.”

Ken Geiger, American Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist, adds:

“This category shifts the focus from fleeting impact to sustained visual excellence and lasting contribution.”

Maggie Steber, acclaimed American documentary photographer, notes:

“It honours the artistic force behind a year-long vision – more than just a great image, it’s about meaningful work and commitment.”

Tareq Abdulrahman, Nikon Middle East General Manager - Customer Satisfaction, called the category:

“A powerful addition that expands HIPA’s global influence and celebrates creative achievements from all corners of the world.”

Jassim Al-Awadhi, Emirati photographer, states:

“The ‘HIPA Photographer of the Year’ award considers both the social and human impact of the photographer’s work, as well as the quality of the images. This inclusive approach ensures the winner reflects a complete and mature artistic vision”.

Samy Olabi, last year’s winner and a leading astrophotographer, described his win as:

 

“A dream come true, and recognition of years spent capturing the awe-inspiring beauty of our skies”.
His win highlighted the dedication behind his work - long nights, remote locations and a relentless pursuit of images that reveal the cosmos with both technical mastery and artistic vision.