The International Photography Awards is widely recognized as one of the prestigious photography contests. Just recently, it unveiled incredible photos that won the annual professional competition, whittled down from over 13000 submissions. To change, evolve, move, and to feel are the elements IPA focused on, and indeed they’ve shown humans, machines, and animals in numerous states of motion. Photographers worldwide have captured life in motion via categories, including Street Photography, Technology/Machine, Fine Art, People, and Nature. 

Anne Mason-Hoerter Won Photography of the Year with her incredible photos of wild carrots, but we’ve compiled some outstanding from each category's winners. You are so much in for a treat, as these photos covering all aspects of natural life deserve your attention. Scroll down gently to check out the best photo nominees of 2020, and of course, do lighten up your weekend with them. Enjoy! 

More info: photoawards.com

The Plastic Crisis: Men On The Front Lines Took 1st Place In Professional Editorial/Press & Environment Category

Muntaka Chasant -Via

The low urban areas in Accra, Ghana, are at open risk of injury and drowning to swim in the Korle Lagoon. The heavily polluted water is filled with recyclable plastics sold for pennies, as many depend on it for sustenance. In a way, it makes an essential economic and environmental contribution as it helps reduce waste and even the costs of cleanups. 

Mirror Took 1st Place In Professional Special & Smartphone Photography Category

Szymon Brodziak -Via

Photographer Szymon Brodziak had had this concept for years before it came to reality. Traveling across Thailand, Brodziak managed to convince his wife about a jump from the edge of a swimming pool. His wife agreed, and with the help of a borrowed iPhone, he captured his vision in just one take.  

Divine Light Took 1st Place In Professional Nature & Trees Category

Kousuke Kitajima -Via

Photographer Kousuke Kitajima took the photo in Hokkaido, Japan. A divine light had shinned on the trees in the snowy field, and Kitajima, who felt it was unique, took the shot. 

The Black Mountain Took 1st Place In Professional Nature & Seasons Category

Ari Rex -Via

In the early months of 2019, Canberra experienced one of the most remarkable lightning storms. The storms moved through the city from West to East before heading over the black mountains. It had even reached the Brindabella Mountains. It turned out; Photographer Ari Rex couldn’t just resist.  

Beacons In Professional Fine Art And Minimal/Minimalism Category

Daragh Muldowney -Via

The largest source of freshwater on Planet Earth is Lake Baikal. It accounts for 23% of all freshwater, and it does freezes in the winter, creating a wonderland. Accordingly, it provides a vital road system connecting to communities from one side of the lake to the other.  

Time Of Departure In Professional Event/Wedding Category

Yo-Wei Chen -Via

Photographer Yo-Wei Chen captured this heart-melting photo. In the Asian people's eyes, a father is a vibrant figure, and it’s only a daughter’s wedding day, you can see a father express his love for his children. 

City Soleil: A Melody Of Hope In Professional Editorial/Press & Other Category

Urim Hong -Via

The UN left, and the police stations crumbled. Gangsters had declared war, and the people almost passed away amid relentless shoot-outs. The sound of gunfire became a cruel melody, but three years down the line, a tiny voice, which grew louder and wilder, brought forth the discussion about hope and a better tomorrow. It was, of course, a melody of hope. 

Last Eagle Hunters In Professional Special, Travel And Wanderlust Category

Zay Yar Lin -Via

Eagle Hunters have, over the years, used golden eagles for hunting prey amid bleak winter months. An estimated 250 eagle hunters are present in Bayan-Olgii, located in the Altai Mountains of Western Mongolian. The hunting golden eagles on horseback are still maintained, and they equally hunt for corsac foxes and red foxes.

Hands In Professional People & Newborn/Baby Category

Corneli Fleur -Via

Photographer Corneli Fleur took this remarkable photo of life. Here’s a father’s hand assisting, a mother’s hand protecting her newborn, a sister’s hand holding her brother’s hand, and a baby’s hand reaching for a new world.  

Enchantment In Professional Special & Panorama/Panoramic Category

Mark Gray -Via

This is an outstanding experience!  Photographer Mark Gray visited this Ice Cave situated below Vatnajokull Glacier in Iceland. It’s like a fairytale as the sunset for the day. Mark luckily found the cave alive and incredibly feel blessed to have visited.  

The Goddess Advent In Professional Special And Night Photography Category

Stanley Lin -Via

Magical aurora erupted in the most stunning fishing village in Norway at cloudless midnight. Photographer Stanley Lin watched this fantastic scenery, and his heart followed up with the visual impacts associated with the aurora expositions. 

Flying Over The Sea In Professional Special & Pets Category

Claudio Piccoli -Via

Photographer Claudio Piccoli enjoys representing dogs as a superhero in action shots. This pet and its owner were practicing disc dog in the water when he stumbled upon them. Both the dog and its owner's position is downright perfect as it’s a pose that can’t just instantly repeat itself again and again.  

Best Friends In Professional Nature & Animals/Pets Category

Claudio Piccoli -Via

Two Border Collies preaches how to be happy with things like running. In taking this photo, Claudio made his dogs run together, starting a different point. It’s one perfect shot that entails a lot of preparation. 

The Metallic Forest In Professional Architecture/Cityscapes Category

马玉晗 -Via

Over 7 million people reside in Hong Kong, on land slightly more massive than 400 square miles. Over 17000 people are also living per square mile. Bearing hefty housing prices, here’s the outside of Hong Kong housing and the other side behind the scenery.

The Blue Insularis 7 In Professional Nature & Other Category

Chin Leong Teo -Via

The Blue Insularis, according to Photographer Chin Leong Teo, is a venomous pit viper, a subspecies indigenous in Indonesia. This is a moment of two intertwined Blue Insularis, with one of them having a meal out of a frog.  

The Insect Portraits In Professional Nature & Macro Category

Pedro Luis Ajuriaguerra Saiz -Via

Photographer Pedro Luis Ajuriaguerra Saiz's Macro Photography allows you to view the incredible photo of these insects, wasps, horse flies, spiders, and even damselflies. 

Colossal Shadows: Super Tuskers Of East Africa In Professional Nature & Wildlife Category

Andrew Doggett -Via

There’s about 24 super tusk elephant on Planet Earth. Tusks weigh 100 pounds each, and indeed, elephants are one of the gigantic animals that can be found on Earth. In the animal universe, they are keepers of knowledge and essential for developing future generations of tuskers.  

The Hybrid Solar Eclipse And Maasai Warrior In Professional Nature & Astrophotography Category

Eugen Kamenew -Via

This photo is a tribute to Geoffrey Lowa. Lowa is Photographer Eugen Kamenuew's friend, but they’ve never met in person. Lowa had planned to be Eugen host, driver, and photo model for the hybrid solar eclipse, but sadly he was killed just one week before his arrival. Peter Nakua, Lowa’s friend who tried effortlessly to save his life, stood on a hill for 11 seconds of totality.

Phoenix In Professional Advertising & Beauty Category

Marie Simonova -Via

Karen Salmanshohn, like the Phoenix bird, is given birth to by arising from the ashes. Difficulties have surfaced the strongest souls, and giant characters are scorched with scars.

Odilo Lawiny: Handmade Soccer Balls In Professional People & Children Category

Brian Hodges -Via