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Spotlight Magazine
Jeremy Baile
United Kingdom
Title: Martini Sunset
Location: RGB Digital Ltd Studios, London, UK
''Martini Sunset reimagines the classic Martini through the warmth and romance of a setting sun. The aim was to highlight the drink’s iconic elegance while bringing an unexpected sense of movement and drama. By freezing liquid in mid-air, the image reveals sculptural shapes that the human eye would never normally perceive, organic, fleeting forms suspended in time.''
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Spotlight Magazine
Connor Langford
United Kingdom
Title: Sharjah
Location: Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates
"This photograph was taken on a warm May morning in 2025, just after sunrise on the coast of Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates. Earlier, we had been photographing a group of teenage boys riding their Arabian horses at full speed along the beach, rearing, racing, and showing off their wild energy. Once the saddles came off, the boys led their horses into the sea to cool down.
In this frame, I captured a fleeting moment of play, one boy balancing on the back of his horse in the shallows, silhouetted against the rising sun.
Just after this shot, he front-flipped into the water. The combination of golden light, movement, and raw spontaneity gives the photograph a sense of freedom and timelessness, one of those rare moments I knew would be special the instant I pressed the shutter."
Connor Langford is represented by NM Productions.
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Spotlight Magazine
Leo Rohrsetzer
Germany
Title: Don't Look Up
Location: Shoaei Studio, Hamburg
“Don’t Look Up highlights what I love about beauty photography: real skin, strong expression, and the artistry of makeup without losing natural texture. The upward gaze feels unconventional, it avoids direct eye contact yet pulls the viewer in with force. The focus is on authenticity rather than heavy perfection, celebrating beauty that feels powerful, modern and human. For me, this portrait is about confidence and presence in simplicity.
I’m very grateful for this recognition and would like to thank the jury and my team for making this possible.''
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Spotlight Magazine
Delaney McQuown
USA
Title: The Tooth Fairy
Location: OMS Photo Cincinnati, Ohio
"This photograph depicts a close-up of the subject, Joey, holding a black Marvis toothbrush between her teeth. Both her upper teeth and the toothbrush are decorated with colorful rhinestones and star-shaped gems for a playful effect. Shot in studio with a beauty dish, the lighting is glowy and even, highlighting the sparkle of the gems as well as the metallic Marvis logo across the toothbrush handle.
The final image is colorful, fun, and a little surreal - taking something as ordinary as a toothbrush and transforming it into something whimsical.
Joey brought the tooth gems with her to the shoot, and I was instantly inspired by the idea that her teeth were so clean they sparkled like gems. We took turns applying them to her teeth and the toothbrush, which made the process highly collaborative. Much of the shoot was filled with laughter - especially since Joey had to keep her mouth open for long stretches or the gems would slip off. What I love about this image is how it mirrors what I admire in Marvis as a brand: taking something standard and elevating it into something unexpected and joyful."
Delaney McQuown is represented by OMS Photo.
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Spotlight Magazine
Dan Hack
United Kingdom
Title: Suspended In Youth
Location : Tulbagh, Western Cape, South Africa
''As most caught moments in life, that are generally unplanned, this was one of those. My partner and I took a trip to South Africa. My Motherland. This was New Year’s Day. We woke up early and went for a hike into the Mountains. We were alone for a good few hours swimming in these rock pools before about 10 local kids made their way there.
I had my camera, they had their joy for life. We all swam and hung out together, talking about the new year ahead. We froze their joyful moments forever. Fearless and content.
Always grateful for these moments in life. To connect with people and nature in ways you least expect.
This was a beautiful reminder to never forget to connect with the inner child. They're always ready to play.''
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Spotlight Magazine
Alex Wallace
New Zealand
Title: Geothermal Engineer
''It was a freezing cold morning which amplified the steam at the geothermal vents we were shooting. I grabbed hundred images of our engineer as she worked in the swirling mist, backlit by the winter sun.
Sometimes you have to go to the ends of the earth to capture the best imagery; intrepid journeys to remote work sites in harsh conditions. Sometimes you do. Sometimes you don't... It was 7:30 am on a cold, clear morning in sunny Lake Taupo, New Zealand. I had just been handed a flat white and a delicious looking almond croissant by our shoot producer, when Gabby, our geo-engineer appeared heroically through the swirling mist. She was beautifully backlit by the low sun, with clouds of steam aglow against the darkened backdrop. A perfect image revealed before me. This was to be one of life’s hard choices: grab the photo... or grab the croissant? As any true professional would, I grabbed both.''
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Spotlight Magazine
Todd Antony
United Kingdom
Title: Buzkashi Battle
Location: Tajikistan
''Buzkashi, meaning “goat pulling” in Persian, is the wild, brutal sport of Tajikistan and its neighboring countries. Think polo - but with a headless, eviscerated goat instead of a ball, hundreds of riders, and no formal teams. Rooted in the nomadic cultures of Central Asia and played for hundreds of years, riders, or chapandaz, battle for control of the goat while dodging rivals (and the occasional whip or elbow) in scenes reminiscent of a Napoleonic battle painting. The rule book is less of a book and closer to a couple of sentences, with the match often overflowing into the fleeing crowd (something I can testify to first hand) games can last for hours until one rider hauls the goat across a hay-marked goal line in the dirt. Once a pastime of the steppes, Buzkashi is now a beloved spectacle at festivals and major gatherings such as weddings.''
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Spotlight Magazine
Ella Sophie
California
Ella Sophie is a San Francisco Bay Area-based photographer and art director. Specialising in still life and product photography. Ella's expertise spans fine jewellery, beauty, wellness, and lifestyle brands.
Elevating each product through rich colors and dynamic compositions. Ella's style blends luxury, nature, and modern minimalism. Drawing on a foundation in fine art, Ella often provides art direction and styling for her projects. Through her lens, products are presented as icons, evoking desire, trust, and connection.
A core element of her approach is the use of natural elements. Often sourcing props from her garden and the nature around. From rustic stones and dried botanicals to lush leaves and moss. These organic props enhance the sensory appeal and tactile quality of each image — grounding luxury items in a framework that speaks to timeless elegance and authentic beauty.
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Spotlight Magazine
Sven-Anton Photography
New York
Born in Sweden and based in New York, Sven-Anton specialises in photography that captures the elegance and sophistication of luxury, fashion, cosmetics, and beauty brands. His work merges artistic vision with technical expertise to create images that not only highlight the unique qualities of each product but also build a meaningful emotional connection with the audience.
With over 20 years of experience, he has collaborated with a wide range of clients, from iconic luxury houses to emerging designers. Sven-Anton is committed to delivering results that align seamlessly with each client’s creative vision and business goals.
Known for his adaptability and meticulous attention to detail, he thrives in dynamic environments and excels at tailoring his approach to different styles, settings, and expectations. Whether capturing a bold campaign or a subtle product shot, he brings precision, enthusiasm, and a commitment to excellence.
Sven-Anton was recently recognised in the Spotlight Awards, winning in the Still Life category.
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Spotlight Magazine
Chris Howlett Photography
London
"We’ve been busy working on projects that highlight the beauty of detail and movement across different industries. For Fresh Direct, we created close-up macro food photography and slow-motion videography, capturing freshness and texture in striking detail. We also produced product packshots for Bulk’s new protein bars and refined still life fashion photography for Crew Clothing, showcasing the tactile qualities and lifestyle appeal of their collection.
Our team developed playful jewellery photography with new clients, emphasising craftsmanship and character in every piece. We collaborated with startup brand Naturobath to design clean, natural cosmetic visuals that reflect their identity. And for Savile Row tailor Anderson & Sheppard, we produced fashion video content blending style, heritage, and movement into a compelling visual story.
Each project reflects our passion for pushing visual boundaries — from freezing motion with high-speed flash to revealing hidden textures through cinematic slow-motion. Our goal is always to create imagery that is both visually captivating and true to each brand.
Planning a new campaign? We’d love to discuss how we can bring your ideas to life."