Australia has once again demonstrated its prowess on the global photography stage, securing an impressive 4th place overall at the 2025 World Photographic Cup (WPC). The results were announced this morning in Ecuador, where 50 nations competed for the prestigious title in what is often referred to as the 'Olympics of Photography.'
The WPC brings together the world’s best professional photographers, celebrating excellence across multiple categories. This year, Australian photographers delivered outstanding performances, earning multiple medals and securing numerous top 10 placements, further cementing the nation’s reputation as a photography powerhouse.
Final 2025 World Photographic Cup Standings
1st Place – United States
2nd Place – Portugal
3rd Place – Spain
4th Place – Australia
Best of Nation – Scott Portelli
Among Australia’s impressive entries, Scott Portelli was named Best of Nation, an honour awarded to the highest-ranked Australian photographer in the competition. His exceptional work stood out among the country's finest, further solidifying Australia's status in global photography.
Australian Photographers Shine on the Global Stage
In addition to the team's fourth-place finish, six Australian photographers won medals, and several others achieved top ten placements, reinforcing the nation’s reputation for excellence in professional photography.
- Silver – Nature/Landscape | Mieke Boynton – gallery@alpinelight.com.au
- Silver – Nature/Wildlife | Scott Portelli – scott.portelli@gmail.com
- Silver – Wedding Open | Mauro Cantelmi – info@dezinebymauro.com
- Bronze – Reportage/Photojournalism | Ruth Woodrow – ruth@angrybluecat.com
- 4th – Commercial | Daniel Bredberg – www.damienbredberg.com.au
- 5th – Portrait Illustrative | Forough Yavari – www.foroughyavari.com
- 9th – Nature/Landscape | Scott McCook – www.instagram.com/scottjonphotography
- 10th – Illustration/Digital Art | Daniel Bredberg – www.damienbredberg.com.au
- 8th – Sport | Matt Palmer – www.mattpalmer.co
How the Competition Works
- National Teams:
- Each participating country forms a national team of professional photographers, typically selected through national photography organisations or associations.
- The team submits images across multiple categories, representing their country.
- Competition Categories:
- The WPC includes several photography genres, which may include:
- Commercial
- Illustration/Digital Art
- Nature/Landscape
- Nature/Wildlife
- Portrait Illustrative
- Portrait Natural
- Reportage/Photojournalism
- Sport
- Wedding Open
- The WPC includes several photography genres, which may include:
- Judging Process:
- A panel of international judges from different countries evaluates the images.
- Judging is done anonymously to ensure fairness.
- Scores are based on technical excellence, creativity, impact, and storytelling.
- Scoring and Awards:
- Individual Awards: Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals are awarded in each category.
- Best of Nation: The highest-scoring photographer from each country receives this title.
- Team Standings: The scores from all team members contribute to the country’s overall ranking, determining the World Photographic Cup Champion.
What This Means for Australian Photography
The World Photographic Cup is not just a celebration of artistic excellence – it strengthens Australia's reputation as a powerhouse in the global photography scene. The competition provides unprecedented international exposure for the winning photographers, opening doors to new creative and commercial opportunities.
To celebrate these achievements, Team Australia’s winning images will be showcased in a special exhibition tour, bringing this international success story back to Australian audiences. This recognition further cements Australia’s legacy in the world of professional photography, inspiring the next generation of visual storytellers.
Key Highlights from Team Australia’s 2025 Success:
- 4th Place Overall in the World Photographic Cup
- Three Silver Medals in the categories of Nature/Landscape, Nature/Wildlife, and Wedding Open
- One Bronze Medal in Reportage/Photojournalism
- Multiple Top 10 Finalists across key categories
This remarkable achievement adds to Australia’s strong history at the competition. The nation has previously claimed victory in 2019 and 2021, along with multiple podium finishes over the years. The continued success of Australian photographers on the world stage is a testament to their exceptional talent, creativity, and dedication to their craft.
As the global photography community celebrates this year’s winners, Team Australia’s outstanding performance serves as an inspiration for aspiring photographers and a reminder of the country’s significant presence in the world of professional photography.
You can see more about the World Photographic Cup on their website.
Or see the World Photographic Cup Australian website here.
