Todd Antony (United Kingdom). Grand prize winner and Sport winner
The landscape of commercial photography is vast. Whether shooting elegant fashion spreads or finding creative ways to photograph a car, commercial photographers help shape the way we see the world. To honor their creative contributions, the 2025 Spotlight Awards recognized 15 photographers across a wide variety of categories.
Photographer Todd Antony won the Grand Prize, as well as the Sport category, for his fascinating look at Central Asia’s historic sport, buzkashi. “[It] is often compared to polo—but with hundreds of riders, no teams, and a headless goat instead of a ball,” Antony explains. “Fierce chapandaz battle for control in chaotic scenes that spill into the crowd, matches lasting for hours until one rider drags the goat across a dirt goal line. Once a nomadic pastime, it remains a dramatic highlight of festivals and weddings today.”
Antony’s is one of many incredible winners of this eighth edition of the photo contest. Judged by more than 50 judges, all of whom are industry experts and potential clients, a win in the photography contest is a true sign of respect from these photographers’ peers. Standouts include Delaney McQuown’s vibrant photo spotlighting Marvis toothpaste and Dámaso Ávila’s glossy black and white photo of Lisbon’s Oriente Station.
“When judging, I try to focus not only on technical or aesthetic quality but also on the image’s ability to move you or tell a story, which isn’t easy when you only have a single frame,” shares judge Consuelo Bolea, senior producer at Red Bull. “I also value the coherence between idea and execution, and the personality of the proposal, where you can see the author’s vision.’’
Scroll down to see more incredible winners from the 2025 Spotlight Awards and then head over to the official website to see all of the winners and finalists.
The Spotlight Awards, which highlight commercial photography, announced the winners of its 2025 contest.
Stefan Groepper (Germany). Fashion winner
Victor Boccard (France). Emerging Talent winner
Dan Hack (United Kingdom). People & Lifestyle winner
The competition was judged by more than 50 judges, all of whom are industry experts and potential clients.
Dámaso Avila (Spain). Architecture & Interiors winner
Hanna Kantor (Poland). Portraiture & Celebrity winner
Sven-Anton (United States). Still Life winner
Jeremy Baile (United Kingdom). Food & Drink winner
Delaney McQuown (United States). Advertising winner
Leo Rohrsetzer (Germany). Beauty winner
Vilka (Somm_Bird)
(Australia). AI Image Developing & Creating winner
Alex Wallace (New Zealand). Corporate & Industrial winner
Si Cox (United Kingdom). Kids winner
Connor Langford (United Kingdom). Travel, Documentary & Landscape winner
BAM (Germany). Cars winner