Championing exquisite imagery from around the world, this is an award for all photographers
© Owen Harvey, GOLD Winner 2025 AOP Open Award
The AOP Open Award puts your work in front of the people who matter — without needing a huge following or years of experience. If you have a strong idea, a distinctive point of view, or work you believe in, this award is about talent, not titles.
Anyone can press a shutter. Real photography demands skill, intent and craft.
Are you up to the challenge?
A cornerstone of the Association of Photographers Awards programme, AOP OPEN champions exceptional imagery, powerful storytelling and creative skill.
Selected winners gain more than recognition — with promotion, access to industry experts, and 1:1 guidance to help develop or launch a professional career.
Whether you’re an established name or just starting out, AOP OPEN is your chance to have your work seen by leading commissioners, brands and industry figures – and to measure it alongside some of the best in the profession.
More than a photography competition, AOP OPEN continues a legacy established in 1968 – celebrating the value of great imagery and the human creativity behind it.
Joseph began his adult life sensibly enough by studying French and Italian at the University of Cambridge and the Ecole Normale Supérieure in Paris, then horrified his parents by moving to Paris to be a photographer.
His personal work has won him numerous awards (D&AD, Art Directors’ Club New York, AOP, Creative Review Annual, Applied Arts Annual) and has inspired films and campaigns for LVMH, Missoni, Lacoste and many others. He is regularly featured on Colossal, Fubiz, It’s Nice That, My Modern Met, Design Boom and other art/design blogs.
His clients include Adidas, Air Canada, American Express, Astrazeneca, Beachcomber Hotels, BNP Paribas, Caisse d’Epargne, Decathlon, Disney, Drinkaware, Hewlett Packard, Hennessy, Huawei, Lacoste, LEGO, Mastercard, Mazda, McDonalds, Missoni, Nescafé, O2, Pepe Jeans, Renault, Sanofi, SNCF, Visa, Vodafone.
His work concentrates on people and optical illusions. It is held in various private collections and in the permanent collection of the Hamburg Art and Design Museum and the Musée d’Art Urbain & Street Art in France, and has been exhibited as part of numerous festivals, including the Rencontres de la Photographie d’Arles, Zürich Aufsehen festival, Andorra Land Art Biennale, Trieste Photo Days, Lishui Photography Festival, China.
Joseph is based in the UK.
Carolyn Mendelsohn is an Artist, Portrait Photographer and film-maker based in the UK.
In the process of creating work, whether film or photography, her work is crafted through a process of social research and collection of material. It follows a visual narrative and is rooted in the lives and story of people and place.
Carolyn is recognised internationally for her portraits, including her portrait series and book Being Inbetween published by Bluecoat Press, and is the founder of Through Our Lens – a workshop and mentoring programme that enables people to tell their stories through the medium of photography.
Alongside this she works on personal projects, portraitcommissions, commercial briefs,
Carolyn is a Nikon Europe Ambassador, and the first Royal Photographic Society Ambassador.
Artist in Residence for Born In Bradford
Freelancer Bloomberg News
Member of Women Photograph
Member of Association of Photographers
Violeta Sofia is an award winning artist, photographer and activist whose journey is as rich and diverse as her artistic portfolio. Born in Cameroon and raised in Spain from a young age, Violeta’s multicultural upbringing deeply influences her work, which often explores themes of identity, diversity, and human connection.
Violeta’s artistic approach is marked by its simplicity and elegance, capturing the intimate essence of her subjects. Her work is further enriched by her use of vibrant colours, and she draws inspiration from the lighting styles of the old masters, adding depth and richness to her compositions.
As a fine artist and portrait photographer, Violeta has made significant strides in the art world. Her work has been exhibited at prestigious institutions such as the National Portrait Gallery and Christie’s, showcasing her ability to blend creativity with a powerful narrative. Additionally, she has graced the covers of renowned publications like Elle Italia, Deadline Hollywood, and The Telegraph, cementing her status as a prominent figure in the industry.
In addition to her artistic pursuits, Violeta is also a passionate activist, advocating for female inclusivity and representation in the arts. Through her photography, she seeks to challenge stereotypes and highlight the diverse experiences of women, particularly those of colour.
Today, Violeta’s work transcends mere portraiture; it serves as a powerful tool for storytelling and self-expression. Through her lens, she seeks to bridge divides and celebrate the beauty of human diversity. Whether she’s capturing the vulnerability of a celebrity or the authenticity in her fine art photography, Violeta Sofia continues to inspire and challenge perceptions through her art and activism.
I founded DAWN Productions after many years working across advertising, fashion and editorial as a producer, art buyer & stylist. Drawing on that experience, DAWN Productions was established as a full-service production company, delivering photography and film campaigns for brands and agencies around the world. I work closely with agencies, brands, creatives and production partners to bring ideas to life with clarity, care, and commercial understanding. I have a genuine love for the craft and a deep respect for the people behind it, always striving to support strong creative work while keeping the production process calm, collaborative, and considered. With a background that spans both the creative and production sides, I bring a practical, considered approach to complex briefs—protecting the work, the people making it, and the places we operate in at every stage.
Julian has extensive leadership experience in photography education, having held senior roles at the London College of Printing, London College of Communication, Falmouth University, and Kingston School of Art. He also served as Dean of Media at the University of the Arts London.
Beyond academia, he has played a significant role in the wider photographic sector. He chaired the Deutsche Bank Photography Prize for eight years, served as Chair of Photoworks, Brighton, and co-curated Shot in Soho at The Photographers’ Gallery. He is currently Co-Chair of Impressions Gallery, Bradford, and a nominator for the Prix Pictet Photography Prize.
For Full Image Specifications please see points 7 & 8 in the 2026 AOP Open Awards Terms and Conditions
* NOTE: This only applies to winners who are not already AOP Accredited Photographers who receive more benefits
In addition, CAPTURE ONE are offering – 1-year Capture One All in One subscription for Gold winners in Single, Series and Moving format worth £274.00. For the Best in Show winner – 1-year Capture One Studio subscription, worth £499.00.
For the Best In Show Winner, FUJIFILM UK are offering – – Fujifilm X Series kit to the value of £1500.
In addition, FUJIFILM UK will host a public facing exhibition of selected finalists and winners work at the Fujifilm House of Photography in early 2027.
x1 Maxima Rapida – to the value of £1,035 ex VAT. [Body including a carry on back, neoprene power cable & Profoto head on which to mount Profoto accessories.]
AOP Members receive discounted entry.
Gold and Silver winners, along with finalists, may also appear in a final Awards showcase event and also feature in the 41st AOP Photography Awards book.
© Jerome Maas. WE ARE ONE – Silver 2025
© Paul Winter, Ruth, Seaford Mermaids
About Capture One
CONNECTING PEOPLE THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography is more than just images — it’s about connection. For us, it reflects the relationships and collaboration at the core of creativity. Find out how this belief shapes our work every day and guides the way we build our software.
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Driven by a deep passion for photography, we equip creatives with the tools to craft extraordinary images. Through inspiration, empowerment, and collaboration, we help turn your vision into reality.
250,000+ users around the world
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OUR STORY
We started in 1994 as a RAW converter for Phase One cameras — and today, we bring over 30 years of expertise in photography and color science to creatives everywhere.
Whether you’re working from your desktop or on the go with our mobile app, Capture One is built to help you work less and create more. With fast tethered shooting, precision editing tools, automated features, and seamless collaboration, you’re free to focus on what matters: your vision.
And with support for nearly 600 cameras and over 700 lenses, you’ll get stunning color and image quality — no matter what gear you use.
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Working together is when the magic really happens. Teamwork lets us turn our vision into reality for our photo community.
EMPOWER PHOTOGRAPHERS
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Whether you’re a data nerd, photographer, painter, rock climber – everyone is welcome and should get the same chance to shine. With over 25 different nationalities working together, we love the diversity of perspectives we get to share.
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About Fujifilm UK
About Maxima
This is your chance to be seen by leading commissioners and names withing the photographic industry and see how your work stands amongst renowned professionals and industry names.
Become an AOP Member
AOP members enjoy discounted entry to the AOP Awards and Open Projects programme, if you would like to become an AOP member, please click here.
2025 AOP OPEN Award – GOLD WINNER
Championing exquisite imagery.
Congratulations to Owen Harvey – GOLD winner of the 2025 AOP OPEN Award
Sponsored by Fujifilm UK
Escaramuza Girls of Jurupa Valley
Escaramuza is translated to ‘skirmish’ in English. Soldadas (female soldiers), would ride with the men acting as decoys on the battlefield, performing intricate skills on horseback. In 1953, women were officially allowed to compete in Charreria (Mexican Rodeos), which was also the year that women gained the right to vote in Mexico. The roots between the charreada and rodeo run deep; equally deep are the symbolic roots that tie modern-day escaramuza charra to the soldiers of the Mexican Revolution, those women who assisted in the revolt against oppressive Mexican government forces.
– Escaramuzas take a break during a rehearsal session for a competition in Mexico.
– Aliandra sits on her horse during rehearsals
– Amelie sits in the stands of the practice school.
– Before training the escaramuza girls take time to have fun, doing dance routines and spinning in their tradition dresses. Jurupa Vallery, California. 2024.
– Julissa sits on her horse at the end of rehearsals, silhouetted by the evening sun. Jurupa Vallery. 2024.
About
Human connection is central to Owen’s photographic work, whether he’s capturing candid, natural moments or bold, striking portraits.
His natural, bright, colourful, and clean visual aesthetic vividly brings to life the stories of the individuals and communities he collaborates with.
From mods to lowriders, classical dancers to skinheads, and matadors to seaside dwellers, Owen uses his camera for collaboration and exploration, revealing how people find their sense of belonging.
@ojharv
© Owen Havey
2025 AOP Open Award – SILVER Winner
Championing exquisite imagery.
Congratulations to Jerome Maas, SILVER winner in this year’s OPEN Award
Sponsored by Fujifilm UK
WE ARE ONE
A series exploring the human body and its connection to nature – specifically around our relative insignificance in both size of physical being and, metaphorically, the ego. Depicting otherwise famous models in an anonymous yet dramatic natural setting, takes the focus away from the individual and more to their state of being within the landscapes. Their connection to nature creating a sense of wonder whilst also challenging our perception of importance, status, connection and reason for being. Who is the real model in these photos? The person or the landscape? And how does that make you think about your own sense of self and your connection and role within nature and its increasingly important need to be seen and protected? Who is more fragile – human or nature?
About
Global campaigns, for those who travel. Jerome Maas is a Photographer and Director shooting travel focused commercial, lifestyle and interior projects between bases in London, Lisbon and Cape Town. Inspired by all things natural world and with a background deeply rooted in art and design, his significant experience running international productions for some of the worlds biggest brands, make him an experienced, knowledgable and valuable creative partner. This is his first time entering any award for his photographic work.
@jeromemaas
© Jerome Maas
The Descendants of Black Civil War combatants.
A four year long project working with the Black history unit of genealogy organisation Wikitree to identify original photographs of Black American civil war Combatants and tracing their descendants and bringing them together from all over the USA and recreating the portraits with the descendants in a northlight studio utilising a 5×7 inch TinType camera from the 1800’s.
Many original period props were used and the costumes were specially by a team of artisan costumiers.
Evie
Evie photographed in traditional Brownie uniform in an original Comprehensive school gym.
“I discovered this nostalgic gym on an unrelated shoot. It reminded me of my old Scouts hall. I photographed Evie in a traditional Brownies uniform I found on Ebay, fittingly belonging to a mother who used to attend a Brownie’s group a few miles away”
Congratulations to Alex Macro – GOLD winner in the 2023 AOP Open Award
Camargue camouflage.
The ancient white horses of the Camargue are as wild as their surroundings. Catching one, literally and photographically, can be challenging. This one very graciously and coyly paused in the reeds for a second while I caught this shot.
© Alex Macro
@alexmacrophotographer
Congratulations to Owen Harvey – SILVER winner of the 2023 AOP Open Award
The Matadors.
Bullfighting is a huge part of the Spanish identity and history, with origins as early as 711 AD.
With growing division in the opinion of whether the killing of an animal should continue for entertainment, I went to Spain in search of the next generation of young hopeful matadors.
I found young men who felt they’d learnt respect, courage and discipline from the teachings of bullfighting. Some were from generations of bullfighters and the culture around this performance of strength, movement and machoism was their life in and outside of the arena.
© Owen Harvey
@ojharv
Event Images: © Gurdev Singh
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© Christopher Lindhorst, Chloe Watkins, Sound Support
The AOP Photography Awards are known as the ‘Oscars’ of the photography world. They celebrate excellence in the creative photography and image-making industry.
This is your chance to be seen by leading commissioners and names within the photographic industry.
Check out our 39th AOP Awards FINALISTS and WINNERS
