26/01/2026
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26/01/2026
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KUWAIT CITY, Jan 26: Two Kuwaiti photographers have earned top distinctions at the prestigious British Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) 2025 Awards, prevailing over elite competitors from more than 160 countries and over 20,000 submitted photographs, in a major international achievement for Kuwaiti visual arts.
Photographer Mohammad Murad claimed first place in the Portfolios – Wildlife, Sea Life, and Birdlife category, while also receiving an Award for Excellence for the best single image in the category’s Special Mention section. Fellow Kuwaiti photographer Sulaiman Al-Atiqi secured second place in the Portfolios – Landscape, Weather, and Climate category, marking a double success for Kuwait on the global photography stage.
Speaking to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Sunday following the official announcement, Murad said his winning portfolio documented Arabian red foxes in Kuwait’s Doha coastal area, the result of more than two months of observation and tracking. He explained that the visual narrative highlights the striking proximity of the foxes to Kuwait City, reflecting the shrinking of natural habitats and the impact of environmental change on local wildlife.
Murad added that his Award for Excellence was granted for a photograph taken in Tanzania, depicting a young elephant walking alongside its mother. The image employed an intentional camera movement (ICM) technique with a slow shutter speed, producing a painterly, abstract visual effect.
He expressed pride that one of his fox photographs has become iconic, having now received 13 international awards, including a recent honor in China. Murad emphasized that his greatest motivation is “raising Kuwait’s name high in international forums and leaving a Kuwaiti mark on the global contemporary art scene.”
In a separate statement to KUNA, Sulaiman Al-Atiqi said his runner-up finish in the landscape portfolio category was achieved through a series of four photographs of underwater lily gardens in Quintana Roo, Mexico. The images capture a surreal blend of submerged aquatic life and lush greenery above the water’s surface, forming a vivid composition of nature’s primary colors.
Al-Atiqi noted that one of the photographs had previously won third place at the DPG Masters 2025 underwater photography competition, underscoring the artistic and technical strength of the project. He described the TPOTY recognition as a major personal and professional milestone, highlighting the award's prestige, which has been held since 2002 and is judged by an international panel of leading photographers, editors, and industry experts.
The British Travel Photographer of the Year competition is considered one of the world’s most prominent photography contests, drawing global participation and showcasing outstanding visual storytelling from across the globe.
