Check out the winning shots and get the deets on our FREE London showcase!
Check out the winning shots and get the deets on our FREE London showcase!
Hochschule Fresenius onlineplus, Germany
“As a judge, I’m drawn to this striking image that captivates my thoughts even before knowing its story, with its vibrant street-style colours and dynamic composition. The way the children play and picnic on raw asphalt, framed by parking lines and zebra crossings, creates a compelling contrast that I love.
The photographer’s story reveals the tender power of this scene, where kids reclaim a piece of childhood in an unlikely concrete setting. The unposed, honest moment, where shared play transcends skin colour, origin, and poverty, transforms scarcity into a vibrant community spirit, adding deep emotional resonance for me.”
Plymouth College of Art
“Tinside Lido has been the ideal location for me to escape to and embrace the beautiful location I get to study in. Taken in my 2nd year of my Bachelor's, the iconic landmark has always been somewhere I return to when I need to relax. Seeing the solitary worker slowly paint the lines onto the base of the pool never fails to satisfy me - it's as if they're slowly filling in a blank canvas until a work of art is completed.
Most documentation of the Lido is when it's full of people and in the hot months of June and July. I was inspired by the beauty of the incomplete and was keen to commentate that something unfinished can't be any less striking aesthetically than something that is in operation.”
“As a judge, I’m drawn to this captivating aerial view of a solitary worker painting bold blue and white stripes on the Tinside Lido pool deck in Plymouth. The central fountain anchors the composition with symmetry and colour, while the vibrant hues, clean lines, and thoughtful perspective pull me into the frame. There’s a simplicity here that stops me in my tracks; it captures attention without trying too hard.The photographer’s personal story adds depth, sharing their connection to the lido as a place of calm during university life. Inspired by the beauty of the unfinished, this image speaks to preparation, anticipation, and quiet transformation in Britain’s Ocean City. A striking and elegant entry.”
Falmouth University
“This photo was a part of my portfolio for my second-year underwater module and shows the coastline that is almost never seen in Cornwall.
Almost every day, I am in the ocean. It is my office, my studio, my home. And every time I am there it changes, I never see the same thing twice. Â
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While swimming through the kelp, I noticed this impressive snakelocks anemone standing proud at the top of a rock along the ocean floor, bathing in the sun’s light. I took about half an hour ducking in and out of the water, trying to see all the angles to photograph this opportunistic setting, when a school of pollock started to swim in the far distance. I placed the anemone centre frame, with a small kelp forest along the far left and the school of pollock on the right and CLICK. Freezing one moment that will never be seen again forever.”
“I love this underwater scene featuring a snakelocks anemone. Its bright orange tentacles pop in the frame, while dramatic sunrays pierce the surface, casting an ethereal glow that lifts the entire image. The centred composition, with a subtle hint of fish in the distance, feels both balanced and alive. It beautifully captures the hidden magic of the ocean floor, making for a strong contest entry.”
Liverpool John Moores University
“Balcony of Becoming is a portrait of freedom, friendship, and feminine power, a still moment pulsing with the spirit of student life abroad. Taken during my year studying in Barcelona, this image captures more than just a view; it holds the emotional weight of a transformative chapter in my life.
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This image belongs to my final major project Moments of Becoming, which explores joy, youth, identity, and connection. Through photography, I aimed to document the beauty in ordinary moments, the ones that change us quietly but completely. Balcony of Becoming is just one of those moments. A fleeting second where everything made sense, where the city, the friendship, and the girl I was becoming all aligned.
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And that, to me, is the real heartbeat of student life.”
“This evocative shot of two women on a Barcelona balcony stands out for its mood and composition. Their black dresses and confident poses create a striking silhouette against the soft cityscape, while candlelight and wine glasses add an air of intimacy and reflection. The photographer’s story of personal transformation during her study year brings deeper meaning, framing this as a Balcony of Becoming. It beautifully captures the essence of friendship, independence, and the quiet power of youth and identity.”
59 Greek Street, Soho, London, W1D 3DZ | 5 August | 2pm onwards
Join us for a showcase of the shortlist and winning pics, with good vibes (hello, DJ + free cocktails) and photography workshops:
Chasing Light: Photography’s Secret Ingredient
Shoot With Soul: Storytelling With Your Phone
Matt Porteous and Tamsin Raine from Ocean Culture Life will be there to meet the winners and celebrate, with a general talk and Q&A with Matt during the day.
See you there!
From entrants all around the world, the super-talented Student Photographer of the Year 2025 has won:
A once-in-a-lifetime, career-boosting photography experience! Assist on an all-expenses-paid, on-location shoot with royal family and ocean conservation photographer, Matt Porteous
6 months of tailored mentorship
A top-of-the-range Nikon Z9 worth over ÂŁ5k
A 12-month Adobe Creative Cloud license
Each of our three category winners is getting their hands on:
A Nikon Z50II + 16-50mm VR Kit worth ÂŁ999
A limited-edition Ocean Culture Life swag bag
A 3-month Adobe Creative Cloud license
An NFL merch haul worth over ÂŁ300
UNiDAYS Student Photographer of the Year 2025 is supported by
What Christian says:
“What makes this picture special is the contradiction between the setting and the content. The environment is not idyllic, just concrete paving. And yet, there is something soft and endearing about it. Children playing, picnicking, living between the parking bays, zebra crossing, and concrete. They reclaim a piece of childhood in a place that isn’t set up for them to enjoy.
This quiet power is how they make the grey colourful. Nothing is staged, nothing is perfect, and that's exactly what makes it so honest. Skin colour, origin, poverty - none of it matters when there is a shared sense of play. The children make the best of the little they have, transforming scarcity into community.”