The winners of the 40th AOP Photography Awards, celebrating excellence in the creative photography and image-making industry, have been announced. As the voice for photographers since 1968, the AOP Awards programme recognises and promotes professional excellence, technical ability and talent at all stages of a photographer’s career. 2025 marks the Awards’ 40th anniversary reflecting the AOP’s commitment to celebrating every facet of the photography industry.
Isabelle Doran, CEO of the Association of Photographers, says of the 40th AOP Awards, “With enormous thanks to our distinguished judges this year who had the impossible task of choosing our 40th AOP Photography Awards winners for such an auspicious occasion. Their selection has brought together an electrifying and provocative mix of still and moving imagery that illustrates such a uniquely personal perspective and how our photographers see the world around them. It’s even more poignant in the digital age of AI we find ourselves in. I’m thrilled to see that such strong visual storytelling lives on.”
Image Makers
The gold and silver winners of all 10 broad ranging categories, plus Best in Commissioned Work, Best in Personal Work, Best in Moving Image, and the AOP Discovery Award presented exclusively to AOP Assistant Members, are announced alongside the 2025 AOP Open Award (sponsored by Fujifilm), where professionals and amateurs compete on equal terms; the AOP’s Emerging Talent Awards (sponsored by WEX Photo Video), celebrating the very best in the new wave of photographers and image makers, who have been practising their craft for less than three years; the AOP Discovery Award presented exclusively to AOP Assistant Members; and the 2025 Martin Evening Excellence in Digital Retouching Award.
This year the AOP introduces two new Industry Awards – the AOP Production Award, and AOP Green Award (sponsored by MPB). The AOP’s diverse awards showcase the very best in original human-authored photography, and as the voice of photographers and image-makers since 1968, the AOP champions the rights of visual artists and campaigns tirelessly on issues of copyright, best practice, and professionalism.
Excellence
This year the AOP celebrates 40 years of photography awards, which has long been recognised for its strength in portraying professional excellence and influencing visual styles and shifting trends. From advertising to publishing, fashion, brands and broadcast, our members have captured the zeitgeist of the past four decades influencing visual commercial culture and society.
The many awards presented by the AOP in its calendar reflect the organisation’s focus on human creativity and professional practice and are an unmissable opportunity to be seen by leading commissioners and names in photography. The AOP looks forward to many decades of continuing to protect, promote and inspire creative human endeavour.
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