Incredible Professional Winners From the 2020 International Photography Awards

Ice in Antarctica

“ANTARCTICA: The Waking Giant” by Sebastian Copeland (Germany). First Place – Book Photographer Of the Year, Professional Book, Nature.

The prestigious International Photography Awards (IPA) has looked over 13,000 entries and determined the best of the best. The expert jury has put forth the winners and a look at the top selections in the professional competition show just how talented this year's field of photographers is. Now the winners of the 13 categories will go on to compete for the title of Photographer of the Year.

From sleek advertising photography to haunting editorial images, IPA's categories allow the world's top photographers to put their best images up for judgment—and the results do not disappoint. In the Nature category, Australian photographer Ari Rex took home the win for his dynamic photo of a lightning storm over Canberra. As lightning bolts settle over the Black Mountain, the twinkling lights of the city glimmer in the foreground.

Touching human moments were also rewarded, like Yo-Wei Chen's moving photo of a father tightly hugging his daughter during her wedding. Likewise, Sandro Miller's portraits of children who are part of an after school program to keep them off the dangerous streets of their Chicago neighborhood have a strong visual and emotional impact. Across the board, the winners put on a powerful display of artistic and technical skill.

As we wait for word of the grand prize winner, who will be awarded at a special online ceremony, scroll down and look at some of the top entries from this year's competition.

Check out some of the top professional photos from the 2020 International Photography Awards.

Snake Eating a Frog

“Blue Insularis 7” by Chin Leong Teo (Singapore). First Place – Professional Nature, Other.

Father Hugging His Daughter at a Wedding

“拜別時刻” by Yo-Wei Chen (Taiwan). First Place – Professional Event, Wedding.

Interior of an Old Theater

“From the stage” by Jesús M.Chamizo (Spain). Architecture Photographer Of the Year, First Place – Professional Architecture, Interior

Lightning Storm over a Town

“Black Mountain” by Ari Rex (Australia). Nature Photographer Of the Year, First Place – Professional Nature, Seasons.

Man with Face Mask Looking Out the Window

“Looking out from Within, 2020” by Julia Fullerton-Batten (United Kingdom). Fine Art Photographer Of the Year, First Place – Professional Fine Art, Other

Portrait of a Beautiful Woman

“Phoenix” by Marie Simonova (Russian Federation). First Place – Professional Advertising, Beauty.

Black and White Photo of a Boy Playing the Violin

“City Soleil : a Melody of Hope” by Urim Hong (United States). First Place – Professional Editorial / Press, Other.

Rock Climber Dangling Off the Face of a Rock

“The Man Who Sold the World” by Adam Gearing (Australia). First Place – Professional Sports, Extreme sports.

Panorama of a Hiker on a Mountain

“Extreme Panoramic Landscapes” by Alessandro Cantarelli (Italy). First Place – Professional Nature, Landscape.

Young Boy with a Handmade Soccer Ball

“Odilo Lawiny – Handmade soccer balls” by Brian Hodges (Australia). People Photographer Of the Year, First Place – Professional People , Children.

Two Dogs Simultaneously Jumping Over a Log

“Best friends” by Claudio Piccoli (Italy). First Place – Professional Nature, Animals / Pets.

The contest received 13,000 entries from photographers in 120 countries.

Two Women Emerging from Water

“time” by Titus Poplawski (Poland). First Place – Professional Analog / Film, Portrait.

Protestors in Hong Kong

“Pro Democracy Demonstrations, Hong Kong: The Revolution of Our Time” by Kiran Ridley (France). Editorial / Press Photographer Of the Year, First Place – Professional Editorial / Press, General News.

High Fashion Editorial

“Crossing The Line” by Elena Paraskeva (Cyprus). Second Place – Professional Advertising, Fashion.

Close Up Photo of a Peony

“Peony Study” by Saori Kurioka (United States). Second Place – Professional Nature, Flowers.

Bubble coral shrimp in the bubbles

“In the bubble” by Atsushi Adachi (Japan). First Place – Professional Nature, Underwater.

Portrait of Two Children on the Beach Wrapped in an American Flag

“Coney Island – NYC's Summer Playground” by Aristide Economopoulos (United States). First Place – Professional People , Street Photography.

Young Girl Standing on the Side of the Road

“Exodus” by Nicolo Filippo Rosso (Colombia). Deeper Perspective Photographer Of the Year, First Place – Professional Deeper Perspective

Two Children Staring out the Window

“The journey to the land of dreams” by Iwona Podlasinska (Poland). Still in Motion / Video Photographer Of the Year, First Place – Professional Still in Motion / Video, Fine Art.

Aerial Landscape

“Healing Landscape: A Damaged World in Transition” by joSon (United States). First Place – Professional Nature, Aerial / Drone.

Hybrid Solar Eclipse and Maasai Warrior

“Hybrid Solar Eclipse and Maasai Warrior” by Eugen Kamenew (Germany). First Place – Professional Nature, Astrophotography.

Black and White Artistic Photo of a Building

“Extremest forms” by Ahmed Thabet (Egypt). First Place – Professional Architecture, Buildings.

Elephants in East Africa

“Colossal Shadows: Super Tuskers of East Africa” by Andrew Doggett (United States). First Place – Professional Nature, Wildlife.

Award-Winning Smartphone Photography

“Mirror” by Szymon Brodziak (Poland). First Place – Professional Special, Smartphone Photography.

Portrait of a Young Black Girl by Sandro Miller

“Off the Street Club” by Sandro Miller (United States). First Place – Professional Event, Social Cause.

Macro Photo of an Insect

“Insect Portraits” by Pedro Luis Ajuriaguerra Saiz (Spain). First Place – Professional Nature, Macro.

Overhead View of a Luxury Vehicle

“A sustainable future of exquisite luxury mobility” by Mike Dodd (United Kingdom). Advertising Photographer Of the Year, First Place – Professional Advertising, Automotive.

International Photography Awards: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by the International Photography Awards.

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Jessica Stewart

Jessica Stewart is a Contributing Writer and Digital Media Specialist for My Modern Met, as well as a curator and art historian. Since 2020, she is also one of the co-hosts of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. She earned her MA in Renaissance Studies from University College London and now lives in Rome, Italy. She cultivated expertise in street art which led to the purchase of her photographic archive by the Treccani Italian Encyclopedia in 2014. When she’s not spending time with her three dogs, she also manages the studio of a successful street artist. In 2013, she authored the book 'Street Art Stories Roma' and most recently contributed to 'Crossroads: A Glimpse Into the Life of Alice Pasquini'. You can follow her adventures online at @romephotoblog.
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