Ready to see some seriously stunning portraits? The Artist Gallery Awards 2025 Portrait Photography Contest winners are here, and this collection of 25 powerful portrait winning photos is truly next level.
The Artist Gallery was born to give both professional and amateur photographers a shot at the big time, and the global talent they uncovered this year is straight-up inspiring. This contest proved once again that great photography isn’t about fancy gear—it’s about vision, timing, and that all-important emotional punch.
Portrait photography is about capturing the soul behind the eyes, the quiet strength, and the untold stories that make a person unique. This year’s top 25 honorees—picked from an international pool of talent—showcased exactly that. From gritty, soulful black-and-white images to vivid color compositions that blur the line between reality and art, these winning shots are everything.
You’ll find a mix of powerful documentary portraits that put you right in the middle of a subject’s life, creative fine art concepts that showcase pure imagination, and striking street photography that captures fleeting, authentic moments. Whether they were shooting in natural light, a studio setup, or on the fly, these artists revealed the depth and true personality of their subjects.
The Artist Gallery runs different photography competitions every month—from architectural contest themes to portrait photography and street photography—ensuring amateur and pro photographers always have an opportunity to demonstrate their skills behind the lens and be recognized.
Don’t just take our word for it. Dive into the gallery and let these award-winning portraits move you. This collection is a must-see for anyone interested in the power of contemporary photography. If these shots fire up your creative engine, consider submitting your own work to one of The Artist Gallery’s upcoming international photography contests!
Scroll down and inspire yourself. You can check their website for more information.
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#1. 1st Place: "Eyes that Speak" by Abdelrahman Alkahlout, Turkey
"A young Palestinian girl wounded in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza gazes straight into the camera. Her eyes, filled with both fear and defiance, pierce through the lens a haunting portrait of a childhood forced to witness war far too soon."
#2. 2nd Place: "The Survivors" by Ana Palacios, Spain
"“The Survivors” speak out about 21st-century child slavery and their path to freedom. Noir (name changed to protect the child’s identity) has been living for several months at the Foyer Immaculée in Kara (Togo) a center that supports children accused of witchcraft, abandoned, or trafficked."
#3. 3rd Place: "Haunting" by Jelisa Peterson, USA
"Behind a picket fence, a young girl gazes at the lens while passing by."
Honorable Mentions
#4. "A Mother’s First Day!" by Bill Wilkins, USA.
"This beautiful photo of my wife celebrating the birth of our first born on the first day of being a new mother!"
#5. "The Legend of Blank" by Piter Benzv, The Netherlands
"The blank expression of creation, a portrait that, even though I can see his eyes, I can’t catch a glimpse of his soul, almost like he’s blank. Totally abstract from expression. What a legend."
#6. "Savitri" by Richard O’Farrell, Australia
"In Mumbai, India, at the ‘School for the Blind,’ the Headmistress granted me three days to photograph. My entry features a blind albino girl I named Savitri ‘The Goddess of Light.’"
#7. "Some Like it Hot, Others Seek the Shade" by John Hall, Ireland
"An elderly lady seeks shade from the blazing sun at a vintage car rally in high summer."
#8. "Hold Me" by Fernando Senior, Chile
"A testament to our deepest desires for human connections, one that transcends cultures, regions of the world, gender, and social norms."
#9. "Autoportrait" by Ezio Gianni Murzi, Italy
#10. "Mundari Face Portrait" by Svetlin Yosifov, Bulgaria
"As in 2021, when I first visited Mundari, this year, Mundari children are still working from a very early age. They and adults don’t know when they were born or how old they are. In appearance, the youngest workers are between 6-8 years old."
#11. "Key Man" by Kay Erickson, USA
"A key maker sits in front of his shop in Manhattan, New York."
#12. "Genetically Bound" by Piter Benzv, The Netherlands
"My dad and my two sons after he met them for the first time."
#13. "Earth" by Daniel Kellenberger, Switzerland
"The subject of this portrait is captured in a contemplative pose, leaning on a worn, textured wooden table. The warm, earthy tones of brown and red, combined with the play of light and shadow, highlight the subject’s thoughtful expression. This image evokes a sense of groundedness and simplicity."
#14. "Apatani Elder" by Carl Nehore, South Africa
"The women of the Apatani tribe of are known for their distinctive nose piercings (wood or stone) and facial tattoos. This practice was believed to enhance the beauty of a woman but has not persisted into modern times; only a 100 or so elderly woman remain with these distinctive features. Assam, India."
#15. "Mollie McGuinness" by Drew Forysth, United Kingdom
"Mollie McGuinness, shot in 2023 in Manchester."
#16. "Kim" by Jack Lawson, United Kingdom
"Portrait of Kim"
#17. "Come with me" by Giorgio Girgenti, Italy
"You don’t know where, just trust her. It could be a happy place or a doomed faith. Choose is yours…"
#18. "Comfort" by Derry Lubell, Canada
"An anxious young boy seeking solace from his cat."
#19. "Good Luck" by Jack Lawson, United Kingdom
"Goodluck" Obieze, Captain of the Nigerian Amputee Football Team, known as "the Special Eagles" on the beach outside Lagos.
#20. "Impermanence" by Ton Schless, USA
#21. "Time Between Us" by Mariia Sokor, Ukraine
"This portrait captures a quiet, profound moment between an elderly man and a young child, embodying the passage of time and the tender fragility of life. The grandfather’s weathered hands gently hold the child, his face leaning in with a soft, protective presence."
#22. "Varanasi Woman" by Héctor Ruiz Golobart, Spain
"Half-veiled in saffron fabric, her eyes emerge with profound stillness and quiet defiance. This intimate portrait reveals a world of unspoken stories drawn into every wrinkle and glance. Varanasi, India 2025."
#23. "Girl of Ponta Figo" by Trevor Cole, Ireland
"A young girl peering out from her window in Sao Tome."
#24. "Martijn" by Susanne Middelberg, The Netherlands
#25. "Mary" by Ian Pettigrew, Canada
"Studio portrait capturing Mary’s distinct style."
