Check out all of the winning shots now!
Check out all of the winning shots now!
Hochschule Fresenius onlineplus, Germany
āAs a judge, Iām 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 photographerās 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.ā
West Virginia University
āāāOur men's basketball team at West Virginia was coming off one of the worst seasons in program history. We had a new coach and an entirely new roster for the 2024-2025 season. The team picked up a few big wins on the road early on in the season, but the win over #2 ranked Iowa State at home was the biggest of the year. As the clock ran down and the realization that we would win set in, the students began prepping to storm the court. As soon as the clock hit zero, I went straight to our starting center, who played his best game of the season, positioned myself in front, and captured him screaming with the students celebrating all around him.ā
āThis image is pure adrenaline. The emotion is raw, the energy contagious. The photographer nailed the moment, centred, direct, and alive with celebration. The raised hands, the screams, the chaos of joy all around make this more than a sports photo. Itās a visual punch of victory. A powerful, unforgettable frame. A standout fave for me.ā
The Pennsylvania State University
āI took this photo while on a study abroad to the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya in December/January. I was so lucky to be able to capture photos of this leopard, named Faulu, while I was there. I wanted to capture the natural beauty of Faulu with the morning skyline in this image.
To me, this photo shows how closely connected the Masaai people are with the animals in the National Reserve and how intertwined humanity is with nature in the modern age. I wanted to capture a photo that really showcased Faulu in the front while also capturing the beauty in the background of the plains, the sky, and the balloon way off in the distance. This photograph did all of that while framing the combination of nature and human influence in an aesthetically pleasing photograph.ā
āThereās something quietly powerful about this image. The leopardās gaze, steady and still, draws you in. Set against the soft hues of morning light and the distant rise of a hot air balloon, it captures a rare harmony between wildlife and human presence. The composition is beautifully balanced. Faulu perched in sharp focus while the background fades gently into the atmosphere creates a sense of depth and calm. This image feels both intimate and expansive. A thoughtful, well-timed frame that speaks to the connection between nature and our place within it.ā
University of Wisconsin-Madison
āThis photo sums up what I believe to be the peak of what a social event should be: A spontaneous game of limbo that appeared during a night of singing and dancing with friends. There isnāt a phone in sight and my peers dancing, singing, and having so much fun. This photo was taken at a social for The Vault, a fashion business club at my school that has allowed me to find even more love for photography than I already had. This club has provided an opportunity for me to express myself and push my artistic capabilities.
This specific event had the theme of āCampā, fitting both with the aesthetic, exaggerated and exuberant, and with the summer activity, which for me was always the epitome of joy and togetherness. All in all, seeing this photo brings me back to exactly the feeling I experienced while taking it, pure joy!ā
āI love the energy in this image. It has a timeless, almost filmic feel, like a party scene pulled from a past era yet full of present joy. The direct flash works perfectly here, freezing motion while preserving the rawness and spontaneity.
What makes it stand out is how much is happening in the frame, yet nothing feels staged. Itās pure, unfiltered connection, fun, movement, and joy. A brilliant capture of youth, community, and the kind of night you donāt want to end.ā
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 $5k
A 12-month Adobe Creative Cloud license
Each of our three category winners is getting their hands on:
A 60-minute virtual session with ocean photographer and marine scientist, Dr Shireen Rahimi (@dr.shireenrahimi)
A Nikon Z50II + 16-50mm VR Kit
A limited-edition Ocean Culture Life merch collection
A 3-month Adobe Creative Cloud license
UNiDAYS Student Photographer of the Year 2025 is supported by
What Christian says:
āWhat 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 isnāt 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.ā