National Pictures of the Year 2025 Nominees announced

Nominees announced for National Pictures of the Year 2025, Winners to be announced at AGM

Annual General Meeting

The NPAC/APPC annual general meeting and NPOY winners announcement has been set for June 25, 2026 at 5 p.m. Pacific / 8 p.m. Eastern.

The evening will open with the NPOY category awards, punctuated by the AGM, followed by the top titles of Photographer of the Year and Picture of the Year.

We look forward to once again showcasing the best photojournalism Canada has to offer in this exclusively photographic competition. More than ever, there is a need for real images telling unflinching truths, capturing beautiful moments, and everything in between.

There will be a renewed call for volunteer and leadership involvement to continue restoring the organization. It must be stressed that while the organization has been brought back to financial stability, NPAC needs leadership and volunteers in order to to fulfill its mandate of serving and elevating photojournalism in Canada.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you June 25,

News Photographer’s Association of Canada/
Association des photographes de presse du Canada

 

Nominees announced for National Pictures of the Year 2025

Listed in alphabetical order of last name.

Spot News:

Protester Removed – Eduardo Lima/The Canadian Press

RCMP officers remove a protester who interrupted the speech of Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles at her election headquarters, Toronto, February 27, 2025.

Delta Flight Wreckage – Arlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press

An Air Canada flight takes off in the background as cranes are positioned to remove the wreckage of Delta Flight 4819 from the runway at Toronto Pearson International Airport, in Mississauga, Ont., on February 19, 2025.

Toronto Pearson Shooting – Arlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press

Evidence is pictured at the scene of police-involved shooting at the departures area of terminal 1 at Toronto Pearson International Airport., in Mississauga, Ont., on Thursday, April 24, 2025.

HM: None awarded

Judges – Joshua Lott (Chicago Freelance); Josh Edelson (San Francisco Freelance); Rich Lam (Vancouver Freelance)

General News:

Longueuil Stormy Sky – Bernard Brault

A stormy sky is seen above Longueuil, Quebec. A suburb of Montreal. The rain caused flooding in many houses.

Elbows Up Canada Rally – Sammy Kogan/The Globe and Mail

Hundreds joined a “Elbows Up, Canada” rally in Toronto on March 22, 2025, celebrating Canadian pride as the country continues to respond to US tariffs.

Muzzle Fire – William Wilson

Montreal Police fire a muzzle munition at the heads of radpride demonstrators. August 9, 2025.

Family Flees Tear Gas – William Wilson

A family suffers the effects of tear gas shot by Montreal Police into a salsa dancing event in Downtown Montreal following a radpride demonstration. August 9, 2025.

Judges – Joshua Lott (Chicago Freelance); Josh Edelson (San Francisco Freelance); Rich Lam (Vancouver Freelance)

Feature:

Hadzabe Hunter – Bernard Brault

A portrait of a hunter who is breaking the neck of a bird. He is part of the Hadzabe are a traditional hunter-gatherer tribe in northern Tanzania, known for their ancient lifestyle, reliance on the environment, and egalitarian society. With approximately 1,300 members, they continue their ancestral practices of hunting with bows and arrows and foraging for plants, with a diet rich in tubers, berries, meat, and honey.
The man just killed a bird.

Cocatoo – Leah Hennel

Enrique Esteban and his cocatoo, Bandida
28 who he takes for walks every day in Calgary parks. Unclipped, the birds fly wherever they want before returning to Esteban. As he says: “Remember — don’t humanize your pets; rather, animalize yourself.” The are pictured on August 28, 2025.

Pool Selfie – Nick Lachance/The Toronto Star

Toronto, ON – July 28: A woman takes a selfie as she cools off with friends at Gus Ryder Pool by Sunnyside Beach. The City of Toronto has extended public pool hours until midnight as a scorching multi-day heat wave continues.

Indigenous Fancy Shawl Dancer – Lance McMillan/The Toronto Star

Nazarene Pope, an Indigenous fancy shawl dancer, performs shortly before of a prescribed fire consumes the area in High Park in Toronto, on April 17, 2025.
The aim of the prescribed burn was to protect and restore the black oak savannahs and woodlands ecosystem at High Park by reducing weedy plants and other species that compete with the prairie vegetation. These prescribed burns have been conducted by Toronto for over two decades, but has been used by Indigenous people for much longer to help promote the diversity of flora and fauna found in the landscapes.

Judges – Joshua Lott (Chicago Freelance); Josh Edelson (San Francisco Freelance); Rich Lam (Vancouver Freelance)

Social Issues:

Home Care for Dementia Patient – Leah Hennel/The Globe and Mail

Home-care aide Lovelee Valenzuela helps Joan Connor, 74, who has been living with dementia for over 10 years, change into a new outfit at the home Joan shares with her husband Alan Rae, 81 on July 13, 2025.

Overdose Reversal – Chris Young/The Canadian Press

Community Health Worker Noel Glover monitors a service user after an overdose reversal, as Riley, a fellow client Riley assist by bring a mat, at Moss Park Consumption and Treatment Service in Toronto on Friday, January 17, 2025.

Smoking Fentanyl – Chris Young/The Canadian Press

A person who is addicted smokes fentanyl in a Toronto alleyway, on Tuesday November 4, 2025

HM: None Awarded

Judges – Joshua Lott (Chicago Freelance); Josh Edelson (San Francisco Freelance); Rich Lam (Vancouver Freelance)

Sports Action:

Soccer Backflip – Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press

Vancouver Whitecaps’ Emmanuel Sabbi does a backflip as he celebrates his goal against Valour FC during the second half of a Canadian Championship quarterfinal soccer match, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.

Steeplechase Crash – Nick Iwanyshyn/Canadian Running Magazine

Canada’s Jean-Simon Desgagnes falls to the ground during the men’s 3000 metres steeplechase heats on day one of the World Athletics Championships at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, on September 13, 2025.

Baseball Reaction – Arlyn McAdorey/The Toronto Star

Addison Barger (47) of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts as Enrique Hernández (8), Mookie Betts (50), and Miguel Rojas (72) of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate a game-winning double play in World Series Game Six action between the Toronto Blue Jays, and Los Angeles Dodgers at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, October 31 2025.

Stick in the Face – Justin Tang/The Canadian Press

The stick of Ottawa Senators’ Drake Batherson (19) catches Toronto Maple Leafs’ Chris Tanev (8) in the face, leading to a double minor penalty, during overtime period NHL playoff action in Ottawa, on Saturday, April 26, 2025.

Judges – Joshua Lott (Chicago Freelance); Josh Edelson (San Francisco Freelance); Rich Lam (Vancouver Freelance)

Sports Feature:

Aerial Lift Line – Bernard Brault

An aerial view of a Group ok skiers waiting in line to take the chairlift at the Sommet Saint-Sauveur ski station.

U Sports Women’s Basketball Championship – Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press

University of Saskatchewan Huskies’ Maya Flindall, front, lies on the court under the championship banner and beside the trophy with teammate and Tea DeMong, back, after defeating the Carleton Ravens in the U Sports women’s national basketball championship final, in Vancouver, on Sunday, March 16, 2025.

Mens Doubles Luge Reaction – Jennifer Gauthier/Reuters

Hannes Orlamuender and Paul Constantin Gubitz of Germany celebrate with teammates as they cross the finish line in first place during the men’s doubles competition at the FIL (Luge) World Championships in Whistler, British Columbia, on February 6, 2025.

Leafs Fan Reaction – Steve Russell/The Toronto Star

TORONTO, ON- APRIL 24 – Toronto Maple Leafs fans gather to watch game three of the first round NHL Stanley Cup playoffs series against the Ottawa Senators in Maple Leafs Square at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. April 24, 2025.

Swimmer Spotlight – Steve Russell/The Toronto Star

MARKHAM, ON – FEBRUARY 22 – In the only spot of light, a swimmer waits for her heat to be called at The lifeguard skills competition in Markham. February 22, 2025.

Judges – Mike Blake (Reuters Southern California); Rich Lam (Vancouver Freelance); Patrick Fallon (AFP Los Angeles)

Portrait:

Olympic Fencer – Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press

Canadian Olympic fencer Eleanor Harvey poses for a photo in Richmond, B.C., on Sunday, April 20, 2025. Harvey made history when she won bronze in individual women’s foil, Canada’s first Olympic fencing medal, at the Paris Olympics. Since the 2024 Games, Harvey has medalled in four of the six tournaments she’s competed in, and captured Canada’s first World Cup gold in the process.

Ostrich Farmer – Aaron Joshua Hemens/The Globe and Mail

Karen Espersen, the co-owner of the Universal Ostrich Farms, shares a moment with her ostriches during feeding time at the farm in Edgewood, B.C., on Jan. 17, 2025. In December 2024, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency issued a cull order of the ostriches following an avian flu outbreak at the farm.

World Record Holstein – Leah Hennel/The Globe and Mail

Jasmine Entz, at her farm near Vulcan, Alta., poses with her pet, Beef, an eight-year-old Holstein that was recently declared by the Guinness Book of World Records to be the world’s tallest living steer. His height, 1.95 metres, shattered the mark set by an Oregon steer — and he’s still growing. “I think Beef is a fantastic animal,” says Entz, who feeds him 45 kilograms of hay a day. “He’s wholesome from the bottom of his feet to the top of his back and everything in between and inside.” The big beast’s future is straightforward, according to Entz, who also raises miniature goats. “Eat lots of food. Lounge around, not doing anything in particular,” she says. “He’s the most laid-back dude. He really doesn’t cause any trouble whatsoever.”

High River Rancher – Leah Hennel

Lenore McLean poses for a portrait in her traditional English riding outfit at her ranch near High River, Alta., on February 23, 2025.

Grandmother Smoking Cigarette – Laura Proctor/Independent

My 90-year-old grandmother Doreen smokes a cigarette in her dining room in Toronto on November 28, 2025.

Judges – Mike Blake (Reuters Southern California); Rich Lam (Vancouver Freelance); Patrick Fallon (AFP Los Angeles)

Picture Story – News:

Lapu Lapu Festival Vehicle Attack – Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press

Ostrich Culling – Aaron Joshua Hemens

Bird Deaths – Lance McMillan/The Toronto Star

Moss Park With Love – Chris Young/The Canadian Press

Judges – Mike Blake (Reuters Southern California); Rich Lam (Vancouver Freelance); Patrick Fallon (AFP Los Angeles)

Picture Story Feature:

Dementia Story – Leah Hennel/The Globe and Mail

All-Female Ranch Bronc School – Leah Hennel

Actress Miriam Fernandes – Nick Lachance/The Toronto Star

Ovarian Cancer – Larry Wong/Independent

Judges: Judges – Mike Blake (Reuters Southern California); Rich Lam (Vancouver Freelance); Patrick Fallon (AFP Los Angeles)

Multimedia:

Bird Deaths – Lance McMillan/The Toronto Star
Typewriter Shop – Lance McMillan/The Toronto Star
Deconstruction – Lance McMillan/The Toronto Star
New Canadians – Lance McMillan/The Toronto Star

Judges: Judges – Mike Blake (Reuters Southern California); Rich Lam (Vancouver Freelance); Patrick Fallon (AFP Los Angeles)

Photojournalist of the Year:

Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press
Leah Hennel/Freelance
Nick Iwanyshyn/Freelance
Arlyn McAdorey/Freelance

Judges – Mike Blake (Reuters Southern California); Rich Lam (Vancouver Freelance); Patrick Fallon (AFP Los Angeles)

 


NPOY Deadline Extended

Following the opening of the NPOY contest, we received numerous correspondence from not only members, but judging candidates that the coinciding Winter Olympics would pose an obstacle to timely entry. With that in mind the NPAC board and NPOY committee have made the decision to extend the entry deadline to March 1.

The National Pictures of the Year (NPOY) competition submissions deadline is now 11:59 p.m. PST on March 1.

We look forward to once again showcasing the best photojournalism Canada has to offer in this exclusively photographic competition. More than ever, there is a need for real images telling unflinching truths, capturing beautiful moments, and everything in between.

More information can be found at

National Pictures of the Year Rules and Submission Guidelines


NPAC 2025 National Pictures of the Year contest now open

The National Pictures of the Year (NPOY) competition submissions is now open.

We look forward to once again showcasing the best photojournalism Canada has to offer in this exclusively photographic competition. More than ever, there is a need for real images telling unflinching truths, capturing beautiful moments, and everything in between.

The entry period is open until 11:59 p.m. PST on February 20 and more information can be found at

National Pictures of the Year Rules and Submission Guidelines


NPAC/APPC National Pictures of the Year Winners

The NPAC/APPC 2024 NPOY winners announcement was held in conjuction with the Annual General Meeting held on June 19, 2025

The judging was recorded and will be made available on our YouTube channel as the finalists are announced for membership to gain feedback and insights from the judges.

We look forward to once again showcasing the absolute best of the Canadian photojournalism industry in a time where truth in visuals is more important than ever.

2024 SPOT NEWS

Finalists:
Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press
Nick Lachance/The Toronto Star
Arlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press
Arlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press

Sponsored by

The Camera Store

WINNER: Nick Lachance/The Toronto Star

A man participating in the 2024 Toronto Pride Parade screams at a pro-Palestinian protester, after a small group of protestors infiltrated the parade route and shut it down. Toronto, June 30, 2024. Nick Lachance/The Toronto Star

 


 

2024 Feature Photo

Finalists:
Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press
Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press
Arlyn McAdorey/The Toronto Star
Justin Tang/The Canadian Press


Sponsored by:

Winnipeg Free Press

WINNER:  Arlyn McAdorey/The Toronto Star

No booze, no phones – in Toronto, the sauna is the new nightclub” Inside Othership, an upscale spa and wellness club. People take part in a social event at Othership Spa in Toronto, Canada on Thursday, Sep. 26, 2024. Arlyn McAdorey/The Toronto Star

 


2024 GENERAL NEWS

Finalists:
Sammy Kogan/The Globe and Mail
Nick Lachance/The Toronto Star
Steve Russell/Toronto Star

Sponsored by

Thomson Reuters

 

WINNER: Sammy Kogan/The Globe and Mail

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw hold Sophia Dunn as she falls to her knees next to the spot where her son-in-law was fatally shot following a mass shooting in Etobicoke over the weekend. Seymour Gibbs, a father of six, died in hospital after two suspects open fired in the parking lot of a school. Sammy Kogan/The Globe and Mail

 


2024 PORTRAIT

 

Finalists:
Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press
Nick Iwanyshyn/The Canadian Press
Fred Lum/The Globe and Mail
Carlos Osorio

Sponsored by

Beau Photo

WINNER: Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press

Vi Roden, who turned 101 on June 16, poses for a photograph at her home in West Vancouver, on Friday, June 14, 2024. Roden, who reads about 50 books a year and does chair yoga twice a week says it never occurred to her that she would live this long and she doesn’t know why but she thinks it’s because she finds enjoyment in every day. The country’s centenarian population is soaring. Statistics Canada figures show the country’s population of people aged 100 or older more than tripled to over 11,700 between 2000 and 2023, and are poised to pass 100,000 in the next 50 years. Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press

 


 

2024 SPORTS ACTION

Finalists:
Bernard Brault
Nick Iwanyshyn/Canadian Running Magazine
Steve Russell/Toronto Star

Sponsored by

Sony Canada

WINNER: Nick Iwanyshyn / Canadian Running Magazine

Mariam Abdul-Rashid, 100m hurdler from Canada, competes at Stade de France during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, August 9, 2024. Nick Iwanyshyn/Canadian Running Magazine

 


 

2024 SPORTS FEATURE

Finalists:
Bernard Brault
Nick Iwanyshyn\Canadian Running Magazine
Nick Iwanyshyn\ Canadian Cycling Magazine

Sponsored by

Sony Canada

WINNER: Nick Iwanyshyn / Canadian Running Magazine

Sifan Hassan, of the Netherlands, celebrates gold in the women’s marathon during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, August 11, 2024. Nick Iwanyshyn\Canadian Running Magazine

 


2024 SOCIAL ISSUE

Finalists:
Leah Hennel
Steve Russell/Toronto Star
Steve Russell/Toronto Star

Sponsored by

The Globe and Mail

WINNER: Leah Hennel

Joan Connor hugs her respite care worker Seeta who was at her home to help with respite care for Joan’s husband Alan Rae on June 1, 2024. Joan has been living with dementia for over 10 years and lives with her husband Alan Rae. “People try to sweep you under the carpet,” says Rae, “What Joan has isn’t contagious, she’s still Joan. There’s a real person there. In Canada the rates of dementia are rising and researchers predict that by 2030 about 1 million people will be living with the disease. Leah Hennel

 


 

2024 PICTURE STORY – NEWS

Finalists:
Nick Lachance
Carlos Osorio

Sponsored by

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)

WINNER: Carlos Osorio

 

 


2024 PICTURE STORY FEATURE

Finalists:

Darryl Dyck

Arlyn McAdorey

Sponsored by

Cision

WINNER: Darryl Dyck / Canadian Press

 


2024 NPAC “CLIPS” Monthly Picture Contest

The NPAC Monthly Picture Contest is open to ANY photograph, published or not, taken within a calendar month.

There is a limit of 12 images per month. Points are awarded to winners

The photographer with the most points at the end of the year is declared the winner for the calendar year.

Sponsored by

Leica

WINNER: DARRYL DYCK/Canadian Press

 

 


 

2024 STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

Based on a portfolio of 10 images that demonstrates diverse abilities and photojournalistic excellence.

Sponsored by

Loyalist College

Winner: Sammy Kogan/Toronto Metropolitan University

 

 

 


 

2024 NPAC PHOTO of the YEAR

One image will be chosen by the judges from the winning pictures of all categories

Sponsored by

Sony Canada

Winner: Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press

Vi Roden, who turned 101 on June 16, poses for a photograph at her home in West Vancouver, on Friday, June 14, 2024. Roden, who reads about 50 books a year and does chair yoga twice a week says it never occurred to her that she would live this long and she doesn’t know why but she thinks it’s because she finds enjoyment in every day. The country’s centenarian population is soaring. Statistics Canada figures show the country’s population of people aged 100 or older more than tripled to over 11,700 between 2000 and 2023, and are poised to pass 100,000 in the next 50 years. Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press

 


2024 PHOTOJOURNALIST OF THE YEAR

Based on a portfolio of individual images that demonstrate diverse abilities and photojournalistic excellence.

This portfolio may include one or more picture stories. The portfolio may have up to 18 images and each Picture Story will count as one image.

Finalists:

Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press

Leah Hennel

Carlos Osorio

Sponsored by:

The Canadian Press

Winner: Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press

 

 

 


Our Esteemed Judges

 

Lee-Ann Olwage

Lee-Ann Olwage is a South African visual storyteller known for her collaborative approach to photography, focusing on themes of gender, identity, and social justice. Her work invites participants to co-create narratives, often challenging stereotypes and celebrating personal agency. She has been published in National Geographic, Vogue, The Guardian, and Vanity Fair Italy, and has received multiple honors, including World Press Photo and Sony World Photography awards. Olwage’s work has been exhibited internationally, and in 2025, she served as a judge for the Pride Photo Award.

 

KC Nwakalor

KC Nwakalor is a Nigerian-born Documentary and Photojournalist based in Manchester, UK. His work humanises socioeconomic, health, and environmental issues that affect Africa and its diaspora. He has been published in The New York Times, Time Magazine, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, and The Financial Times, among others. He is a member of Diversify Photo, the Royal Photographic Society, and the African Photojournalism Database (APJD).

 

 

 

 

Alon Skuy

Alon Skuy is a photojournalist born in Johannesburg, South Africa, and now based in Miami Florida.

Skuy’s career has been defined by his depth and range as a news and documentary photographer. He is noted for his coverage of the 2012 Marikana Massacre, said to be the most lethal use of force by South African security forces against its own civilians since The Sharpeville Massacre of 1976. Skuy is the recipient of numerous local and international awards, including recognition by the World Press Photo Foundation, and multiple awards from the Picture of the Year International (POYI).

 

Thank you to:

NPAC, sincerely thanks LEE-ANN OLWAGE, KC NWAKALOR AND ALON SKUY our esteemed judges. Without them, there would simply be no winners. The process to judge the POY contest is very long and arduous. Please once the judging video is posted, take the time to listen to the process and learn from what they have to say.

They dedicated long hours, plus more via email, out of their busy schedules to provide constructive criticism while selecting the winners of this year’s National Pictures of the Year contest.

POY Contest Chair / Coordinator: Crystal Schick NPAC Past-President

Contest Production Assistance: Michelle Berg, Brent Calver and Christina Ryan

Monthly NPAC Picture contest chair: Evan Buhler

Slide show and presentation of awards: Dave Chidey

All the NPAC Board Members and Volunteers for their contributions! Without volunteers this does not happen.

Thanks to all of our sponsors for their continued support for the Photojournalism community. These awards exist because of their support.

Congratulations to all the winners and finalists from the News Photographers Association of Canada Board of Directors, Volunteers and Members.


NPAC National Pictures of the Year OPEN

The National Pictures of the Year (NPOY) competition submissions is now open.

We look forward to once again showcasing the best photojournalism Canada has to offer in this exclusively photographic competition. More than ever, there is a need for real images telling unflinching truths, capturing beautiful moments, and everything in between.

The entry period is open until 11:59 p.m. PST on February 15 and more information can be found at

National Pictures of the Year Rules and Submission Guidelines


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