The finalists for the 2025 AOP Open Awards have been announced, showcasing an extraordinary collection of photography that includes work from a 12-year-old artist alongside seasoned professionals. The prestigious photo contest, organized by the Association of Photographers (AOP) and sponsored by Fujifilm UK, stands out for its unique format that allows professional and amateur photographers to compete side by side without any specific theme requirements.
Among the 15 finalists selected by expert judges, 12-year-old Delong Chen's inclusion demonstrates that creative vision and talent can emerge at any age. Chen's photograph "Vintage Modern" was captured during a tennis training break on a scorching afternoon, featuring a green toy car against the blazing red clay court. The young photographer, who lives with ADHD and autism, sees the world through contrast, texture, and timing, quietly finding spaces to plant his curiosity and creativity.
Isabelle Doran, CEO of the Association of Photographers, expressed enthusiasm about this year's diverse submissions. "This year's Open Award has attracted a wide and diverse range of entries from all ages, which is heartening to see," Doran stated. "While several finalists' entries pay close attention to the compositional aesthetic of the abstract, the role that faith, rituals, and belief play in cohesive societies as key themes comes through strongly amongst many of our finalists' submissions, reflecting a shared interest in communicating a visual narration of the human spirit."
The finalist collection spans a remarkable range of subjects and perspectives, from intimate portraits to cultural celebrations. Eliška Sky's "The Red String" series explores love and connection across diverse backgrounds in London, inspired by the Japanese legend of the Red String of Fate. Owen Harvey's "Escaramuza Girls of Jurupa Valley" documents the Mexican tradition where women perform intricate horseback skills, tracing its roots back to female soldiers of the Mexican Revolution.
Several entries capture unique cultural moments and traditions from around the world. Tom Farmer documented the infamous Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling event in Gloucestershire, describing it as "one of the hardest things I've ever tried to shoot" due to the steep terrain and unpredictability. Brendan Duffy's "Easter Sunday, Ibiza" depicts the Procession de Santa Semana in the town of Santa Eulalia, where local women wear lace headdresses in a centuries-old tradition.
The competition also highlights contemporary social issues through powerful imagery. Anita Clarke and Paul Wenham-Clarke's "Muscle and Milk" shows three young mothers in rugby kit breastfeeding their babies after a match, representing "a tableau of strength and nurture, muscle and milk, competition and care." Charlotte Hartley's "Green As Grass" project explores the UK's Western Riding culture, documenting a community that many people may not have known existed in Britain.
Other notable finalists include Markku Lähdesmäki's "Holy Joshua," which pairs spiritual sculptures at Desert Christ Park in Yucca Valley with Joshua trees as symbols of resilience and survival. Christopher Jeney's "Manolo: Embodied Devotion 2025" presents five monochromatic portraits exploring themes of healing and spiritual guidance. Megan Dickson's "The View from the Garden" captures the raw beauty of natural perfection, complete with insects, dirt, and cobwebs, while Rikki Ward's "Here Comes the Aeroplane" offers a nostalgic and humorous take on feeding toddlers.
The diverse range of entries reflects the contest's success in attracting photographers from various backgrounds and skill levels. From a cheese rolling contest in the UK to explorations of motherhood in sports, each image tells a unique story that will reach an even wider audience through the competition's platform.
All finalists will receive significant exposure when their work is displayed alongside the 40th AOP Photography Award Finalists at the official AOP Awards Showcase in London. Additionally, their photographs will be featured in the annual AOP Awards Book, providing lasting recognition for their artistic achievements. The contest continues to demonstrate that exceptional photography can come from anywhere and anyone, regardless of age or professional status, cementing the future of photography as bright and diverse.
