Who will win the 'Oscar' of photography? The AOP Awards finalists are in – and they're here to impress

A person in a striped outfit performs a leg extension while holding food and drinks at a table in a casual eatery

(Image credit: Tom Parker. Courtesy AOP)

The AOP Photography Awards turn 40 – and what better way to celebrate than with a lineup of extraordinary images. Often called the 'Oscars' of the photography world, the AOP Awards, this year sponsored by MPB, have stood strong for decades – not by following trends, but by celebrating work that challenges, moves, and inspires. And this year's finalists are no exception.

From intimate portraits and thought-provoking documentaries to wild landscapes and everything in between – the 2025 shortlist spans across ten categories: Documentary, Environment, Fashion & Beauty, Food & Drink, Lifestyle, Portrait, Spaces, Sport, Still Life & Object, and Project.

On top of that, three standout honors will be awarded across the board: Best Commissioned, Best Non-Commissioned, and Best Moving Image – spotlighting the most compelling work of the year.

Isabelle Doran, CEO of the Association of Photographers, puts it best: "Given the plethora of photography awards across our industry today, it's even more special that the AOP Photography Awards has stood the test of time, celebrating 40 years of professional practice, in which we have seen many photographic styles and trends come and go over four decades.

"It's both positive and rewarding to see the continuation of visual rigour from this year's finalists' entries, from profound realism to highly conceptual imagery, each sharing a multitude of facets spanning the lives humans lead, whether captured in the format of stills or moving images."

The Gold and Silver winners will be announced live at the AOP Annual Showcase on October 9. Alongside the big reveal, the Showcase will also host a special exhibition of selected finalist work. Until then, let's explore the finalists. To discover the full gallery, visit the AOP Awards website. You can also see a teaser reel of the works here.

2025 Finalists

A small house surrounded by trees, nestled between two large cooling towers and power lines against a cloudy sky — Ratcliffe on Soar (Image credit: Greg Funnell. Courtesy AOP)

A rider on a gray horse stands by the beach, with gentle waves and a clear blue sky in the background, showcasing a serene coastal scene — El Jadida - City of the Horse (Image credit: Nick David. Courtesy AOP)

Young person with light hair in patterned shirt stands against a textured wall. Shadows from leaves fall across both. The mood is serene and contemplative — In Her Own Time (Image credit: Hugh Fox. Courtesy AOP)

A broken plate holds crispy fish fingers, baked beans, and crinkle fries drizzled with ketchup against a bright orange background — Fish fingers, crinkle chips and beans on a broken plate (Image credit: Richard Pullar. Courtesy AOP)

A solitary surfer with a yellow board walks along a misty beach, with soft waves lapping at the shore — Surfer, Venice Beach (Image credit: Henrik Knudsen. Courtesy AOP)

A crowded scene of horse riders in traditional attire, surrounded by dust, with majestic mountains in the background — Buzkashi, meaning "goat pulling" in Persian, is the wild, brutal sport of Tajikistan and its neighboring 'Stans.' Think polo - but with a headless, eviscerated goat standing in as a ball, hundreds of riders, and no form (Image credit: Todd Antony. Courtesy AOP)

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Kim is a photographer, editor and writer with work published internationally. She holds a Master's degree in Photography and Media and was formerly Technique Editor at Digital Photographer, focusing on the art and science of photography. Blending technical expertise with visual insight, Kim explores photography's time-honored yet ever-evolving role in culture. Through her features, tutorials, and gear reviews, she aims to encourage readers to explore the medium more deeply and embrace its full creative potential.

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