The Hamdan International Photography Award (HIPA) returns for its 14th edition with a major new accolade: the ‘HIPA Photographer of the Year Award’. Launched in 2024, the prestigious title comes with a US$80,000 prize and the opportunity for global recognition of exceptional visual storytelling.
“This award is for photographers deeply committed to meaningful, long-term projects—those whose lenses capture not just beauty, but significance,” said HIPA Secretary General Ali Khalifa Bin Thalith. He described the new award as a defining element of this year’s competition, honoring “a lasting creative impact” and highlighting a visual artist “whose work over a 12-month period demonstrates both artistic excellence and social relevance.”
Entries are open until May 31, with photographers of legal age eligible to apply online in one of five categories: Power (main theme), Sports Photography, Drone (Video), Portfolio (Story-Telling), and General (Color and Black and White). The new Photographer of the Year Award is one of three “Special Awards,” reinforcing HIPA’s commitment to storytelling beyond single images.
“This category emphasizes sustained visual excellence and long-term contribution, rather than short-term impact,” noted Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Ken Geiger. His views were echoed by acclaimed American documentary photographer Maggie Steber, who said the award “honors the artistic strength behind a vision developed over a year—it’s about meaningful, engaged work, not just a beautiful image.”
Last year’s award went to Samy Olabi, an Egyptian-Syrian astrophotographer celebrated for his dedication to capturing the night sky. The jury praised his commitment—countless nights spent in remote locations—and his ability to reveal the cosmos with both technical mastery and artistic vision. “This is a dream come true,” Olabi said. “It’s recognition of years spent chasing the inspiring beauty of our skies.”
Benjamin Rullier
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