Human Impact Awards 2025
Photography is more than an art form; it is a way of understanding and engaging with our world. The work recognised this year moves beyond the headlines to reveal the human reality of displacement, resilience, and the enduring search for connection. These images invite us to slow down, to look again, and to consider experiences far beyond our own.
Aria Shahrokshahi – Professional Winner
Documenting the final days of the Calais “Jungle”, this work captures a moment of profound uncertainty, where lives, homes, and hopes were dismantled in real time. Through intimate, unflinching imagery, Aria moves beyond headlines to reveal the human reality of displacement; resilience, loss, and the enduring search for safety.
Follow on Instagram: @ariamark
David J Shaw – Professional Runner-Up
Focusing on a community often reduced to headlines, “Jaywick Sands Happy Club” offers a more honest and human perspective on life in Jaywick. Working closely with residents, David captures a culture of care, resilience, and connection that exists beyond the labels. A thoughtful and necessary body of work that reframes how we see place, identity, and representation.
Follow on Instagram: @davidjshawphoto
Dan McKenzie-Cossou – Professional Runner-Up
Dan captured the explosive energy of Tultepec, Mexico’s pyrotechnic capital, during the annual Quema de Toros festival. Through intimate moments with local families and the spectacular evening ignitions, the series immerses viewers in a tradition alive with colour, fire, and community spirit. A visually striking project that brings culture, celebration, and chaos to life. Follow on
Instagram: @danmckc
Emily Shade – Student Winner
Through the lens of rave culture, Emily captures how young people create spaces of belonging, expression, and community. Her photographs reveal vulnerability, unity, and the power of shared moments - showing how connection and collective joy can help us navigate the world. A thoughtful, human-centred project that celebrates resilience and togetherness. Follow on
Instagram: @emilyshadephotography
Toby Sinkinson – Student Runner-Up
Exploring our relationship with darkness in a world full of artificial light, Toby’s work captures the beauty and mystery of the night skies in south-west England. This project invites us to reflect on how we’ve lost touch with natural darkness - and how reconnecting with it can change the way we see the world. A thoughtful and visually striking series that illuminates what is often overlooked.
Follow on Instagram: @sinkifoto
Hannah Mittelstaedt – Student Runner-Up
Through intimate portraits in the UK and Canada, Hannah’s work highlights the lives of trans and gender-diverse people, showing identity, resilience, and the human right to be seen and accepted. Her series captures a pivotal moment in time, using photography to foster understanding, empathy, and social change. It is a powerful, human-centred project that celebrates bravery and authenticity.
Follow on Instagram: @hmittelstaedtphotography
Meet the Human Impact Awards Judges
Professional Award:
1st prize: £5,000
2nd prize: £3,000
3rd prize: £1,000
"Since the full-scale war in Ukraine began in February 2022, Ukrainian Firefighters have been working tirelessly and risking their lives under shelling to protect both people and Ukrainian land from fire.
I have documented their work by following donated equipment from international fire partners and recording its use to encourage more support."
Edward Matthews - Professional Winner 2024
The Phil Smith Student Award:
1st prize: Sony A7R IV +
Sony FE 24-70mm f2.8 G Master II
2nd prize: Sony ZV-E1 +
Sony FE 24-70mm f2.8 G Master
3rd prize: Sony A7C
The late Phil Smith was a much-loved member of the Wex Business Team. In honour of his life, his dedication to Wex, and his passion for the arts, our student award is named after him, with prizes going to the most exceptional submissions.
View last year's winners here!
FAQs
- Who can enter the competition?
The competition is open to all UK residents aged 18 or over as of 1st May 2025. Employees of Wex Photo Video or any associated partners are not eligible to enter. - Do I need to make a purchase to enter?
No – entry is completely free, and no purchase is necessary. - When is the deadline?
The competition closes at 11:59 pm on 30th January 2026. - What are the entry requirements?
You must submit a series of 5–10 images that respond to the competition brief. All images should be in JPEG format. - Can I enter with mobile phone images?
Yes – entries are welcome from any device, including mobile phones. However, AI-generated imagery is not accepted. - Who judges my images?
All entries will be reviewed by a panel of award-winning judges from across the photography industry. - How do I enter as a student?
You’ll need to provide a valid school/university email address, your course details, and a personal email address. - Can I submit AI-generated images or use stock photos?
No. All images must be your own original work, taken by you. AI imagery or work belonging to others will result in disqualification. - Do I keep the copyright to my images?
Yes – you retain full copyright. However, by entering, you give Wex Photo Video permission to use your images for promotional purposes, including social media. - What if I'm selected as a winner?
Winners will be contacted via email. If we can’t reach you within 28 days of the competition closing, we reserve the right to offer the prize to a runner-up. - What happens if I break the rules?
Any breach of the terms may result in disqualification. Wex Photo Video reserves the right to remove entries that do not comply with the competition guidelines. - How will my data be used?
Your personal data will be processed in accordance with GDPR and our Privacy Policy. We will not share your information with third parties unless required to fulfil a service or prize.
Terms and Conditions
- The Promoter is Wex Photo Video. Wex Photo Video is a trading name of Calumet Photographic Limited (Company Registration no. 00425579) and Warehouse Express Limited (Company Registration no. 03366976). Registered office: 13 Frensham Road, Norwich. NR3 2BT.
- The competition is open to all UK residents aged 18 years or over as of June 1st 2025, except employees of Wex Photo Video, the companies or organisations with whom the competition is being run, their agents, or anyone directly connected with the competition.
- No purchase is necessary to win or enter.
- Participants must submit between 5 - 10 images to enter either category.
- Entries must adhere to the brief provided.
- Images submitted to the competition must be in JPEG format.
- Images can be submitted anytime during the active competition, until 11:59 pm on January 30th 2026.
- The winners of the Wex Human Impact Awards will be awarded the following prizes: 1st prize: £5,000, 2nd prize: £3,000, 3rd prize: £1,000. The winner will be contacted via email.
- The winners of the Wex Human Impact Awards (student category) will be awarded the following prizes: 1st prize: Sony A7R IV and Sony FE 24-70mm f2.8 G Master II, 2nd prize: Sony ZV-E1 and Sony FE 24-70mm f2.8 G Master, and 3rd prize: Sony A7C. The winners will be contacted via email.
- Student entries must be accompanied by a valid school or university email address, course details and personal email address.
- Images must be captured by the individual using a camera of any kind. AI imagery will not be accepted, and the participant will be disqualified. Entries from a mobile phone will be accepted. Nudity is not allowed within this competition.
- By submitting images to the competition, you confirm that you are the copyright holder and that it is your original work. Wex Photo Video reserves the right to ask entrants to supply a high-resolution and/or RAW version of any submission (with metadata embedded) to verify any images it suspects may not be the person’s own work. Anyone found to be entering images belonging to others will be immediately disqualified.
- Entrants retain all copyright over any images submitted, although by entering you agree for your images to be used by Wex Photo Video competition promotions, including sharing across our social platforms and displayed at a physical exhibition.
- The judges’ decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
- Reasonable efforts will be made to contact the winner. If the winner cannot be contacted within 28 days of the competition closing, Wex Photo Video reserves the right to offer the prize to the runner-up.
- All entrants to the competition are deemed to have accepted these rules and agree to cooperate in any future publicity that may arise. The winner’s announcement may be made across Wex Photo Video’s platforms, including but not limited to Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and the Wex website.
- Wex Photo Video reserves the right to disqualify entrants found to be breaking any of these conditions. Those found to be breaking these conditions will be notified of their disqualification.
- Any personal data required for the sending of prizes or acquiring images is collected and processed under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (EU) 2016/679. We do not disclose data to any third parties unless disclosure is necessary for the fulfilment of a service or prize; you have specifically given consent for a particular service; or we have a legitimate interest in disclosing data. For more information about the kind of personal data we collect, read our full Privacy and Personal Data Policy.
- It is the entrant’s responsibility to ensure that any image/video submitted is law-abiding and does not breach the General Data Protection Regulation.
- The competition is subject to the general terms and conditions found here.
- Wex Photo Video reserves the right to modify these terms and conditions at any time.