ZHENHUAN ZHOU | 1st PLACE

@zzh_hiland

Zhenhuan Zhou, a photography enthusiast, calls Toronto, Canada his home. His connection to the camera began from a very young age. There were days when Zhenhuan would capture the world around him tirelessly, but adulthood and professional responsibili-ties meant his passion took a backseat.
However, 2013 marked a significant year for him. Upon relocating to Canada, Zhenhuan rediscovered the world of photography, al-beit initially during family trips. It wasn’t until 2019 that he embar-ked on a more structured journey into the realm of photography, diving deeply into post-processing techniques.
The COVID-19 pandemic, despite its many challenges, presen-ted Zhenhuan with a silver lining. The ample time at his disposal allowed for rigorous study and practice. Over these years, he fi-ne-tuned his skills and honed his craft.
Such dedication and perseverance bore fruit, and Zhenhuan found recognition in several renowned international photography com-petitions. His work has been acclaimed in a plethora of categories, spanning from motion to monochrome, and has clinched top spots in numerous contests. These accolades not only reaffirmed his be-lief in his passion but also propelled him forward with more deter-mination than ever.

ANDRÉ BOTO | 2nd PLACE

andreboto.com

André Boto, born in 1985, is a distinguished freelance photogra-pher from Portugal. Catering primarily to commercial, product, architecture, interiors, industrial photography, André also offers post-production services in Photoshop, in addition to his unique conceptual and creative projects.
With a profound interest in arts and design from a young age, An-dré often found himself drawing the world around him. Today, he thrives on the challenge of crafting and re-imagining stories throu-gh his images. Drawing inspiration from optical illusions, he’s dee-ply influenced by Surrealism and luminaries like M.C.Escher, Sal-vador Dalí, and René Magritte.
Throughout his career, André’s talent hasn’t gone unnoticed. He has been honored with numerous awards, including the presti-gious “Photographic Artist Prize 2023” from Australia’s “Australian Photographic & Videography Prize”. Additionally, his work has ear-ned top accolades in Austria’s Global Photo Awards, the European Professional Photographer of the Year award by FEP in Belgium, and the IIC 8th Annual International Photographer of The Year in Canada, among many others. His exceptional skills have also been recognized in countries such as Greece, Italy, France, and the USA, attesting to his global appeal and unmatched proficiency in the world of photography.

MICHAEL EUBANKS | 3rd PLACE

mikeephotography.com

Mike Eubanks is a fine art and portrait photographer based in Maryland. His work explores subjects that are overlooked, forgo-tten, or slowly disappearing, and often examines humanity’s rela-tionship with our natural environment, and how it changes with evolving cultural norms. Dealing with the passage of time from the old to the new, there is often a foreboding tension in Mike’s work that still allows irony and humor to poke through. Mike’s work has been featured in publications, exhibits, and galleries in the USA and abroad.

ALAIN SCHROEDER | HONORABLE MENTION

alainschroeder.myportfolio.com

Belgian photojournalist  Alain Schroeder (b. 1955) has been working in the industry for over four decades. First as a sports photographer in the 80s, then shooting book assignments and editorial pieces in art, culture and human stories.

In 2013, he uprooted his life, trading-in his shares in Reporters, to pursue life on the road with a camera. Schroeder now travels the world shooting stories focusing on social issues, people and their environment. «I am not a single shot photographer. I think in series,» he says adding, «I strive to tell a story in 10-15 pictures, capturing the essence of an instant with a sense of light and framing.»

He has won many international awards including Nikon Japan, Nikon Belgium, TPOTY, Istanbul Photo, Days Japan, Trieste Photo, PX3, IPA, MIFA, BIFA, PDN, the Fence, Dodho, LensCulture, Siena, POYI and World Press Photo.