The International Photography Awards (IPA) has announced the winners of its 22nd annual photography competition, with Palestinian photojournalist Abdelrahman Alkahlout taking the top honor as IPA Photographer of the Year 2025. His heartbreaking photo series documenting the devastating impact of the Gaza conflict on civilians captured the attention of judges and audiences worldwide.
Alkahlout's winning series, titled "Echoes of Genocide: Gaza's Civilian Suffering," presents a raw and unflinching look at the human cost of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The powerful collection features images of children who have lost limbs, mothers desperately fleeing bombardments while carrying their babies, and doctors treating wounded patients on hospital floors due to overcrowding and damaged medical facilities.
The photographer risked his own safety to document these stories, bringing global attention to the experiences of ordinary civilians caught in the crossfire of what he describes as a devastating attack that is threatening an entire population. His images serve as a stark reminder that behind the political rhetoric and international debates, real people are suffering and dying.
Competition judge Alex Ng acknowledged the challenging nature of judging such politically sensitive material, explaining that "as a competition judge, one must view these photographs with detachment—judging the image as an image." He noted that the Israel-Palestine conflict was one of the most significant global issues of the past year, with supporters on both sides of the dispute.
Ng praised Alkahlout's work for its emotional impact, stating that "the success of this entry lies in its ability to break the viewer's heart." He emphasized that tragedy is the most important element in news photography, and this series effectively captures the victims' perspectives through different visual approaches, showing injured children, grieving families who have lost loved ones, and displaced families forced from their homes.
In stark contrast to Alkahlout's documentary work, French fine art photographer Marie Sueur claimed the IPA Discovery of the Year 2025 award for her artistic series "Murmures de l'âme" (Whispers of the Soul). Judge Juan Curto described her work as "a poetical work with very strong imagery" that explores the unconscious mind as a realm where rational thought gives way to pure instinct.
Sueur's mysterious and shadowy photography creates an atmosphere of intrigue, drawing viewers into her artistic vision as they attempt to decode the narrative within each frame. Using creative filters and carefully crafted compositions, she transforms her subjects into ethereal, dreamlike images that speak to deeper psychological themes.
The dramatic difference between these two winning series highlights the diverse range of photographic excellence recognized by the IPA. While Alkahlout's work serves as urgent social documentation of a humanitarian crisis, Sueur's artistic exploration delves into the abstract realm of human consciousness and emotion.
Both photographers, along with other category winners previously announced by the competition, demonstrate the technical skill, creative vision, and personal dedication required to excel in the competitive field of professional photography. Their work represents the power of the medium to both document reality and explore artistic expression.
The International Photography Awards continues to serve as one of the most prestigious platforms for photographers worldwide to showcase their work across multiple categories. More information about all the winners and their work can be found on the official IPA website, where visitors can view complete portfolios and read detailed descriptions of the winning entries.
