The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation has unveiled the winners and runners-up of the 2025 Environmental Photography Award, recognizing outstanding contributions to environmental awareness through visual storytelling. The award, which highlights the beauty and fragility of nature, features five distinct categories: Polar Wonders, Into the Forest, Ocean Worlds, Humanity versus Nature, and Change Makers: Reasons for Hope.
In an impressive display of talent and creativity, Angel Fitor secured victory in the Change Makers: Reasons for Hope category with his compelling image titled “Training Day.” This powerful photo goes beyond highlighting the challenges coastal communities face, it showcases hope and resilience in the fight against climate change.
Amy Jones was a close second, taking the Humanity versus Nature category with her provocative piece, “Breeding Machine.” This picture acts as an emotional truth about our inner connection. We are going to fight. We are going to forge. Nature is going to breathe again.
Iacopo Nerozzi rejoiced after being declared the overall winner of the Into the Forest category. His breathtaking image, “Clash of Kings,” masterfully conveys the complex relationships that exist in forest ecosystems. Collectively, each winner’s work speaks to their deep dedication to lifting up environmental justice issues and moving others to action.
Among the impressive runners-up, Galice Hoarau’s stunning portrait of a lion’s mane jellyfish had jaws dropping. Her absolutely breathtaking picture from the East Greenland fjords was a true standout in the Polar Wonders category. This gorgeous photograph evokes the precariousness of ocean life under an increasingly volatile climate.
Lakshitha Karunarathna’s poignant photo of an Asian elephant navigating through plastic waste in Sri Lanka earned recognition as a runner-up in the Change Makers: Reasons for Hope category. This photo beautifully illustrates the urgent impact pollution is having on our wildlife.
In addition, Javier Aznar’s haunting photograph of rattlesnakes piled up in a pit in Texas and Miquel Angel Artús Illana’s gripping image of two female musk oxen battling in Norway both received runner-up accolades in the same category. Michaël Arzur’s poignant portrayal of a melting iceberg drifting off Iceland resonated deeply, serving as a stark reminder of climate change’s impact on polar regions.
David Herasimtschuk captured attention with his photograph showcasing an adult and juvenile coho salmon in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, while Santiago J. Monroy García’s striking image of an Andean bear lurking in the Colombian forest added to the strong competition among runners-up in various categories.
So too were outstanding entries by Pietro Formis and Daniel Sly in the Humanity versus Nature category. Formis submitted a stunning photograph of a small octopus precariously perched on top of otherworldly jellyfish-like creatures called salps, while Sly showcased the elegance of a leafy sea dragon along the coast of Australia.
Congratulations to #MIAMaker Fair’s Public Award Winner – 2023 Public Award winner unveiled! From the gallery above, Faciole created an impressive photograph depicting a South American tapir recuperating from extreme burn injuries in Brazil. It was this picture, however, that struck a chord with Americans. Despite the devastation, it brought to light the incredible resilience of wildlife and the urgent need for expanded conservation efforts.
Inspired by the work of their foundation, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation encourages hope, inspiration, and big ambitions. …but their initiatives continue to inspire action to protect our environment! The awards ceremony serves as a platform to elevate voices that advocate for the protection of our planet and its ecosystems.
