The Kingdom Photography Award is back for its third edition, and it’s becoming a driving force behind the growing photography scene in Saudi Arabia. Organized by the Visual Arts Commission, this year’s award presents two major exhibitions at Hayy Jameel in Jeddah, “Hay Ainek – In a New Light” and “When the Fog Whispers.”
With more than 1,300 participants and over 6,000 photos submitted, the 2025 edition of the Kingdom Photography Award highlights the depth of talent and the evolving visual identity of the Kingdom.
Celebrating the Power of Saudi Photography
The Kingdom Photography Award aims to support and showcase Saudi photographers by providing a platform for both new and experienced creatives. This year’s selected works show how photography can tell compelling stories about heritage, modernity, and personal experience.
The main exhibition, “Hay Ainek – In a New Light,” includes 30 winning entries that reframe Saudi culture in original ways.
Standout Artists and Themes
- Huda Ali Al Neb uses bold color to reinterpret traditional Najdi architecture, adding a fresh lens to familiar buildings.
- Mohammed Aljuraybi focuses on heritage by documenting a potter at work, showing how traditional crafts pass through generations.
- Kawthar Ali Ibrahim captures a man in an empty airport lounge, expressing a powerful sense of stillness and reflection.
- Hayat Osamah presents calming black-and-white landscapes that contrast with the fast pace of city life.
- Sawsan Abdullah, overcoming physical challenges, uses grayscale photography to explore layered, emotional stories.
All of these artists demonstrate the central mission of the Kingdom Photography Award: to elevate visual stories rooted in Saudi life and culture.
A Deeper Look: “When the Fog Whispers
The second exhibition, “When the Fog Whispers,” focuses on the Asir highlands and includes commissioned work from five photographers:
- Abdulmajeed Al Roudhan
- Elham Al Dawsari
- Lina Geoushy
- Mohamed Mahdy
- Hicham Gardaf
These works reflect personal impressions of the region’s natural and cultural identity, extending the reach of the Kingdom Photography Award beyond urban narratives to include remote and poetic landscapes.
Judging Panel Brings Regional and Global Insight
This year’s Kingdom Photography Award was judged by a diverse panel of experts:
- Kholood Saleh Al-Bakr
- Sara Al-Mutlaq
- Rola Khayyat (Qatar/USA)
- Roi Saade (Lebanon)
- Shannon Ghannam (Australia)
The judges looked for strong technique paired with meaningful themes, helping ensure that the selected images represent the best of Saudi photography today.
Engaging the Public Through Education and Interaction
Alongside the exhibitions, the Visual Arts Commission launched a full public program that supports the educational side of the Kingdom Photography Award. The program includes:
- Workshops for beginners and professionals
- Artist talks and creative sessions
- Community events that encourage artistic participation
These activities help photographers grow their skills and connect with others in the creative field.
Vision and Future Growth
Dina Amin, CEO of the Visual Arts Commission, explained the broader vision behind the Kingdom Photography Award:
“What started as a simple way to support local talent has become a symbol of Saudi Arabia’s growing visual arts scene. We’re building a space where photographers can tell our stories with clarity and confidence.”
The Kingdom Photography Award is not just about competition, it’s about shaping a cultural movement and giving artists the opportunity to contribute to how Saudi Arabia is seen and understood, both locally and globally.
With high participation, strong artistic quality, and active community engagement, the Kingdom Photography Awardhas become a vital platform in Saudi Arabia’s cultural development. It shows how photography can document history, challenge ideas, and inspire new conversations.
As the creative landscape continues to grow, the Kingdom Photography Award will remain a key part of telling Saudi Arabia’s evolving story, one image at a time.
What’s new?
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