Alexandra Vassiliades, Under Natures Guard (ANIMAL 2025)

Among the lush mountainsides of Arashiyama, Japanese macaques live by an unspoken rhythm of devotion and play. Mothers cradle their young with tender nurturing, embracing a silent promise of protection, while the watchful troop stands as steadfast guardians. Yet, within this harmony, juveniles ignite a spirit of mischief — swinging upside down, wrestling in playful defiance, and testing the patience of their elders. Through these moments of care and chaos, this series captures the raw essence of their world — where love, guidance, and mischief intertwine.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.