The 2025 Pure Street Photography Awards has recognized outstanding candid photography from around the globe, with German photographer Stefanie Waiblinger claiming the overall winner title. Her photograph "Who is Next" perfectly captures the joyous moment when a bride tosses her bouquet, exemplifying the essence of being in the right place at the right time that defines exceptional street photography.
The competition, organized by a female-led platform dedicated to authentic street photography, received an impressive 1,160 submissions from photographers across 34 countries spanning five continents. This international scope demonstrates the universal appeal and accessibility of street photography as an artistic medium. The diverse range of entries showcased the genre's ability to capture spontaneous human moments and urban life in all its complexity.
All 147 winning and finalist photographs will be displayed at Mumbai's prestigious Jehangir Art Gallery, providing a significant showcase for excellence in contemporary street photography. The exhibition represents a major opportunity for these photographers to present their work in one of India's most respected art venues, bringing international street photography to Indian audiences.
"Street photography is the reminder that the world is worth looking at in all its layers and depth," explains Dimpy Bhalotia, co-founder of Pure Street Photography. "The Pure Street Photography Awards exist to keep that truth alive." This philosophy is evident throughout the winning selections, which demonstrate how skilled photographers can transform ordinary street scenes into compelling artistic statements.
The competition's top placings went to photographers from different continents, highlighting the global nature of street photography excellence. Tavs Cazerella from the United Kingdom secured first place with "Meeting in the Middle," while Chris Yan from China earned second place with "Mirror." Nicole Prum from Germany rounded out the top three with "Phantom of the Past," showcasing the international diversity of winning photographers.
The finalist selections reveal the breadth and creativity of contemporary street photography. Croatian photographer Marko Buntic's "Fooling Around" captures silhouetted figures diving, while South Korean artist Jaejoon Ha's "Hide and Seek" presents an aerial view of crosswalks that transforms ordinary urban infrastructure into geometric art. German photographer Gerd Bonse's "Benchresting" humorously depicts adults in French fries costumes, demonstrating street photography's ability to find the absurd in everyday life.
American photographers also featured prominently among the finalists, with Eric Davidove's "The Good, The Bad, The Ugly," Jelisa Peterson's "Rise and Shine," Danielle L. Goldstein's "Redemption," and Mariana Basurto's "A Twin Gaze at the Past" all earning recognition. These works showcase the diversity of American street photography, from urban scenes to intimate human moments.
International representation continued with notable entries from India, Italy, and Australia. Jepin Krishna's "The Sacred Collective" represents Indian street photography, while Italian photographers Marco Cajazzo contributed "Sicilian Kids" and Nicola Balestrazzi presented "Puebla." Australian photographer Gavin Libotte's "Desdemona" rounds out the international finalist selection.
The winning and finalist photographs demonstrate all the essential principles of exceptional street photography: incredible lighting, dynamic compositions, and keen observational skills that elevate candid moments into art. Whether capturing children playing in fountains, people diving off piers, or noticing symmetrical patterns in urban environments, these photographers show how attention to detail and timing can transform everyday scenes into compelling visual narratives.
For aspiring street photographers interested in participating in future competitions, the Pure Street Photography Awards has opened a waitlist for next year's contest on their official website. The success of this year's competition, with its impressive international participation and high-quality submissions, suggests that street photography continues to thrive as both an artistic medium and a means of documenting contemporary life across cultures and continents.
