The winners of the 2025 Flow Photo Contest, presented by Kodak, have been revealed—and the 15 award-winning photos are nothing short of breathtaking. This year’s competition drew over 16,000 entries from 109 countries, bringing together a powerful global showcase of creativity, emotion, and visual storytelling. The contest featured five diverse categories: Water, Human, Travel, Film, and Animal, with photographers competing for a share of $50,000 in prizes.
From serene underwater worlds to dynamic street moments, the winning images reflect a stunning variety of perspectives and styles. What makes the Flow Photo Contest particularly special is its inclusivity—photographers of all experience levels, from hobbyists to seasoned professionals, were encouraged to submit their work using any kind of camera. This openness resulted in a vibrant mix of fresh voices and seasoned talent.
The panel of expert judges, including NatGeo Explorer and underwater storyteller Shireen Rahimi, acclaimed visual artist Shawn Theodore, and commercial travel photographer Alex Stead, had the difficult task of selecting the best from thousands. The 15 selected images are not just visually striking—they each tell a compelling story that resonates deeply, capturing the beauty and complexity of our world with heart and originality.
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#1. Grand Prize Winner: Water – Érico Hiller
"Climbing up the stairs in this tank holding the gallon is an unimaginable operation that demands balance and strength. Some women do this over and over again, four or five times a day. After leaving the dump area wearing no shoes, the challenge is to avoid scorpions that accumulate around the hole that leads to the ladder one of them showed me a scorpion she had just killed. One small problem leads to another, and the entire chain of water-demand generates challenges these women face every day."
#2. Finalist: Water – Jorgito Rivera
"Surfer Kanoa Igarashi slices through the underwater silence with flawless control as a massive wave crashes above him. This shot reveals the raw power of the ocean and the calm precision it takes to master it. ‘Beneath the Lineup’ is a look into the heart of surfing."
#3. Finalist: Water – Mohammed Rimon
#4. Grand Prize Winner: Human – Saurabh Narang
"Ramnath Sharma feeds migratory birds at Yamuna Ghat in Delhi, India. Every year between October and March, thousands of seagulls migrate from Siberia to Delhi. Locals come to feed them, believing it is good karma."
#5. Finalist: Human – Zay Yar Lin
"Set in the highlands of Mù Cang Chải, this photograph captures a fleeting yet profound moment between a mother and daughter during the corn harvest. The warm shafts of sunlight filtering through rows of drying maize illuminate not only the space but also the joy and intimacy of rural life. This image is a tribute to the enduring strength of family, the quiet poetry of daily labor, and the cultural richness of the country’s ethnic communities. It invites the viewer to pause, reflect, and feel the gentle beauty woven into tradition."
#6. Finalist: Human – Pyae Phyo Thet Paing
#7. Grand Prize Winner: Travel – Evan Wang
"The greatest light show on Earth doesn’t usually dance this far south but when it did, we knew exactly how we were going to view it: by climbing under it. Nick Ayers is taking it all in over the Squamish townsite."
#8. Finalist: Travel – Luba Hristova
"Volcán de Fuego, Chimaltenango Department, Guatemala"
#9. Finalist: Travel – Aidan Doyle
#10. Grand Prize Winner: Film – Jacob Paley
"As the flames raged in January, residents of the Pacific Palisades community fled. Some went to the Santa Monica Pier to witness what would later be classified as the most destructive wildfire in the history of Los Angeles."
#11. Finalist: Film – Ben Dickson
#12. Finalist: Film – L.Chaussée
"The reflective surface of the windows creates a duality between the landscape and the built environment. And although the image suggests stillness and quiet, in reality, the site was crowded with visitors admiring the view."
#13. Grand Prize Winner: Animal – Michele du Plooy
"This photo was taken in Magdalena Bay during the annual Mexican sardine run. I went on a freediving expedition to see sea lions and marlin feeding on bait balls compact spheres of fish trying to protect themselves and I was absolutely shocked when, on day three, this Bryde’s whale showed up out of nowhere and started feeding on the bait fish right in front of me. Truly the most unexpected, once-in-a-lifetime moment that I will forever cherish and never forget."
#14. Finalist: Animal – Gabriel Jensen
"This doctorfish looks completely unbothered as a lizardfish does its best to have it for breakfast. Luckily, the doctorfish has spines in its fins that can prevent it from sliding down the lizardfish’s throat."
#15. Finalist: Animal – Bianca Lewallen
