The MUSE Photography Awards celebrates the creative ethos and underlying afternotes of what makes a photograph so influential. We want to see the ever-thriving visuals arts community grow from the view of their camera lens and share stories that will live on for decades to come.
From promoting the work of photography professionals to aspiring visual arts extraordinaires, our mission is to provide one of the best competitive platforms to display your work to the world.
Like the mythological Muses themselves, your ideas, expertise and creative vision will redefine who you are as a photographer. This is your time to share your vision to the world.
The MUSE Photography Awards aims to redefine and push the boundaries of photography, where every aspect of a still image is carefully taken to reach international standards. Whether you are a professional or amateur photographer, your creativity will shine through the camera lens.
MUSE Photographer of the Year (Professional)
Receive the 2027 MUSE Awards statuette and a $3,000 cash prize
MUSE Photographer of the Year (Amateur/Student)
Receive the 2027 MUSE Awards statuette and a $2,000 cash prize
MUSE Category Winners (Professional & Amateur/Students)
$100 cash prize* each
Professional (12 Categories) & Amateur / Student (12 Categories)
MUSE Platinum, Gold & Silver Winners
Printable MUSE e-Certificate
Be interviewed and featured on Muse.World, our third-party media partner website
Dedicated winner’s page and social media posts
The MUSE Photography Awards categories consist of Architecture Photography, Commercial Photography, Editorial Photography, Event Photography, Fine Art Photography, Nature Photography, People Photography, Mobile Photography, Black & White Photography, Minimalist Photography, Fashion Photography, Film Photography, Advertising Photography and other special categories, such as Comedy Photography, Mobile Photography, etc.
2026 MUSE Photographers of the Year: Trevor Cole (Professional), Philipp Schmieja (Amateur/Student Category).
2026 Category Winners of the Year: Derry Ainsworth, Daniel Ceng, Philipp Schmieja, Kelly William Wright, Melissa N. Robertson, Russell Trozera, Trevor Cole, Philipp Schmieja.
Photographer / Company
Trevor Cole
Category
Editorial Photography - Travel
Country / Region
Ireland
Photographer / Company
Philipp Schmieja
Category
Editorial Photography - Personality
Country / Region
Germany
Photographer / Company
Derry Ainsworth
Category
Architectural Photography - Drone
Country / Region
Hong Kong SAR
Photographer / Company
Philipp Schmieja
Category
Editorial Photography - Documentary
Country / Region
Germany
Photographer / Company
Daniel Ceng
Category
Editorial Photography - Environmental
Country / Region
Turkey
Photographer / Company
Kelly William Wright
Category
Fine Art Photography - Nudes
Country / Region
United States
Photographer / Company
Russell Trozera
Category
Nature Photography - Astrophotography
Country / Region
United States
Photographer / Company
Melissa N. Robertson
Category
Nature Photography - Weather
Country / Region
United States
Photographer / Company
Philipp Schmieja
Category
People Photography - Culture
Country / Region
Germany
Photographer / Company
Trevor Cole
Category
People Photography - Religious
Country / Region
Ireland
Photographer / Company
Shang Yao Yuan
Category
Editorial Photography - Feature Story
Country / Region
Taiwan
Photographer / Company
Allan Andersen
Category
Nature Photography - Astrophotography
Country / Region
Denmark
Experience the Surrealism Photography
This digital display immerses you in a curated exhibition, showcasing 100 critically-acclaimed images from the 2025 MUSE Photography Awards gallery. Browse through this exhibition at your personal leisure, feast your eyes upon each breathtaking photograph, and be absorbed in each detailed accompanying caption.
Throughout this exhibition, you'll discover the awe-inspiring Photographers of Year, Category Winners of the Year, as well as Platinum Winners, from the Professional and Amateur/Student divisions.
*Clicking on an image will bring you closer to said image and clicking on the little “i“ icon, at the top right of the screen, will allow you to learn more about that amazing piece.
Take Your Exclusive Seat on the MUSE Photography Awards Panel
MUSE Photography Awards has made special efforts to find a suitable panel of judges whose works exemplify the qualities of a Muse. The jury panel comprises of experienced professionals in their fields and industries, including creative and art directors from international agencies, established photographers, photo editors, art collectors, educators or business owners. All judges are selected based on experience, availability and credibility to their respective industry.
Czech Republic
Qualified European Photographer, Tomáš Neuwirth Photography
Tomáš Neuwirth, an internationally acclaimed photographer, excels in drone photography. The emergence of drones later opened new vistas for his photography, allowing him to capture stunning aerial shots with commercial drones. Today, he is deeply involved in both professional drone and traditional photography, elevating the art form by choosing unique locations and enhancing images through post-production. His work transcends from mere landscape to the realm of fine art. Notably, he is the first Czech photographer to be a finalist in multiple awards and his work has been showcased in numerous countries. His work has been frequently chosen by the Paris online gallery Singulart. Notably, he was nominated for the Personality of Czech Photography in 2019 and was part of the Czech team for the 2022 World Photographic Cup (WPC). He holds the Qualified European Photographer (QEP) title in the Drone category.
Japan
Photographer & Artist, RYO UTSUNOMIYA
Ryo Utsunomiya is a photographer and artist who specializes in wildlife imagery, creating exhibitions that integrate spatial design to craft immersive, sensory-rich experiences. He is also deeply engaged in creative work that promotes international exchange, curating exhibitions that bring together internationally active artists and foster cross-cultural dialogue. Alongside exhibiting his work in museums and galleries, he remains active across a wide range of fields, including serving as a lecturer for Liberal Arts Museum Seminars, collaborating with the outdoor brand ARC’TERYX on creative and experiential projects, and contributing as an artistic director for music festivals, where he shapes visual identity and audience experience. He was named Photographer of the Year for his transcendent work, recognized for its technical mastery, artistic sensitivity, and ability to capture the emotional depth of the natural world. He also serves as a judge for numerous international competitions and is the Head Curator at 1x and a 500px Ambassador, where he applies his discerning eye and professional expertise to elevate global photography standards.
France
Photographer and Cameraman, Rémi Masson Plongeur Photographe
Even before embarking on his journey as a photographer, Rémi Masson has been drawn to the untamed and enigmatic aspects of nature, especially the allure of the unseen world beneath the surface. His exceptional skill in freediving has been a crucial factor in allowing him to seamlessly integrate photography into his underwater adventures, effectively capturing and sharing the nuanced emotions he encounters while immersing himself in the distinct and captivating fresh water environments. Masson's expertise lies in his unique ability to blend the art of photography with the skill of freediving, capturing the elusive beauty of underwater worlds. His deep understanding of the aquatic environment allows him to frame each shot with a perspective that speaks to the mysteries beneath the surface. His numerous international accolades stand as a testament to his mastery in creating images that are not only visually stunning but also rich in storytelling and emotional depth.
Italy
Professional Photographer, Visual Artist, Printmaking Expert, alessandraminottigraphic.com
Alessandra Minotti is a renowned photographer, visual artist, and expert in printing and development. After completing her studies in art and photography, she began her professional career in 1994 by founding a photography lab in Rome.
Minotti has excelled in a variety of photography genres, including weddings, still-life, interiors, and fashion, all while honing her skills in analog development and printing. Her work often involves multiple exposures and sophisticated photo manipulation, creating surreal and thought-provoking imagery.
Alessandra Minotti’s art explores deep and complex themes such as identity, violence against women, psychophysical well-being, healthy eating, and environmental concerns, frequently drawing on her own life experiences. Her work has been featured in solo and group exhibitions across Italy, Spain, and internationally. She has authored both a monograph and an eBook, and her artwork has been recognized in prestigious art publications and showcased on the Saatchi Gallery London screen for six consecutive years as a Saatchi Art Artist.
The International Awards Associate (IAA) is a group of industry innovators, creators, designers and communications professionals whose commitment are to move the industry forward through discovery and recognition of new and existing talent.
Media Partners
