The 2024 iPhone Photography Awards Celebrate Beauty in Everyday Moments

Jaron Schneider
A child stands in front of a large aquarium, gazing at a variety of marine life. A large shark swims close to the glass, while numerous smaller fish are visible in the background amidst coral and aquatic plants. The scene is captured in black and white.
Erin Brooks, Grand Prize Winner

The iPhone Photography Awards (IPPAWARDS) announced the winners of its 17th annual competition, stating that this year’s winning images “are a powerful testament to the art of storytelling through photography.”

The competition still showcases the winning photos from each of the past 17 years, leading all the way back to the inaugural competition in 2008. It is, therefore, the longest running iPhone photography competition. The IPPAWARDS says it selects only the very best photos among the thousands submitted by more than 140 countries around the world via a multi-step, juried process.

“The photographers of this year’s competition have journeyed across landscapes and cultures, from the serene landscapes of Japan to the vibrant streets of China, each frame telling a unique story. The winning images depict a wide array of subjects—ranging from the architectural elegance of historic buildings in Europe to the intimate connections between people and nature in the vast Serengeti. In each photograph, the simplicity of the iPhone belies the depth of emotion and complexity captured within,” the IPPAWARDS write.

This year, the IPPAWARDS presented the Grand Prize to Erin Brooks of the United States for her photo Boy Meets Shark, which was capture don an iPhone 15 Pro Max. The photo, taken in Tampa, Florida, portrays a boy standing in front of an aquarium window before a massive shark, which Brooks says “symbolizes the innocence of youth juxtaposed with the mysteries of the deep sea.”

The IPPAWARDS grants first, second, and third place “Photographer of the Year” titles in addition to the Grand Prize.

The First Place Photographer of the Year Award was awarded to Glen Wilbert of the United States for his photo, Lifeguard Camp, which was taken at Huntington Beach, California which was shot on an iPhone 11 Pro Max.

Glen Wilbert, First Place

Second Place went to Anthony Maureal of the United States for the photo titled Pupils, which was taken at Ta Prohm in Siem Reap, Cambodia and captured on an iPhone 15 Pro.

A group of young monks in orange robes sit in a meditative posture on a stone ledge along the wall of an ancient temple. The temple features a row of weathered stone columns and an aged, moss-covered exterior, creating a serene and historical atmosphere.
Athony Maureal, Second Place

Third Place Photographer of the Year went to Wenlong Jiang of China for his photo that was taken in Fujian, China with an iPhone 14.

A person stands in the center of a massive, modern architectural structure featuring high ceilings, large windows, and curved, layered balconies on either side. The black-and-white image accentuates the dramatic scale and lighting of the space.
Wenlong Jian, Third Place

Beyond these winners, the IPPAWARDS grants top billing to a group of other photos across 14 categories (Abstract, Animals, Architecture, Children, Citylife/Cityscape, Landscape, Lifestyle, Nature, People, Portrait, Series (3 images), Still Life, Travel, and Other).

Close-up of a bird's feathers showcasing a vibrant mix of colors, primarily fiery orange at the top transitioning to dark green. The dark background contrasts with the feathers, highlighting their intricate details and vibrant hues.
Jose Manuel Garcia, Abstract Category Winner
A picturesque scene of a vast desert landscape at dusk with undulating sand dunes cast in deep shades of orange and brown. Silhouettes of three camels and their riders traverse the serene terrain, creating a mesmerizing and tranquil atmosphere.
Khalid Mahmood, Travel Category Winner
A plate with four triangular slices of watermelon, showing vibrant red flesh and black seeds, placed on a patterned tablecloth. The background features a teal wall and a white tissue box.
Dai Fushun, Still Life Category Winner
Three-panel image shows two people mid-jump into a rooftop swimming pool. The sky is bright and filled with white clouds, reflecting on the water. The second panel captures one jumper in mid-air with arms stretched while the other panel shows both jumpers airborne.
Xingping Zhou, Series Category Winner
Black and white photo of a woman standing with her hands on her hips. She is partly obscured by a striped awning above her. She is wearing a sleeveless dark top and a skirt with vertical stripes. Her face is mostly hidden in the shadow.
Artem Koleganov, Portrait Category Winner
Two individuals dressed in white protective suits stand near ladders against a white structure, seen through a chain-link fence. The scene is predominantly white, creating a nearly monochromatic effect.
Brooke Wilen, People Category Winner
A woman with short dark hair and wearing a white striped shirt leans forward to face a dark-colored donkey with a colorful bridle and a muzzle. The woman and the donkey are close, almost nose-to-nose, and both are set against a plain white wall.
Jun Hu, Other Category Winner
A serene black and white photograph showcases a waterfall cascading down a rugged cliff, surrounded by lush trees. The flowing water creates a smooth, silken appearance against the textured rocks, while the sky above appears cloudy, adding to the tranquil ambiance.
Shinya Itahana, Nature Category Winner
A large group of people, mostly children, sit closely together on a sandy beach. They are wearing bright yellow swim caps and red swimsuits. Some wear blue swimsuits or cover themselves with blue and white towels. The scene is vibrant and colorful.
Glen Wilbert, Lifestyle Category Winner
A serene night sky filled with stars and constellations is reflected on a calm, dark lake. Silhouettes of trees line the horizon, and a mountain peak is visible in the distance. A faint streak of a meteor crosses the sky amid the starry expanse.
Paddy Chao, Landscape Category Winner
A vibrant playground with rainbow-colored slides and structures is set against an urban backdrop with two striped smokestacks by a large body of water. Children and adults are playing and enjoying the sunny day on the green artificial turf.
Yanzhou Chen, Cityscape Category Winner
A person relaxes in a blue hammock strung between two points, with one leg dangling out. The background features a purple wall and a partly cloudy sky. The scene suggests a peaceful and leisurely atmosphere.
Daniel de Cerqueira, Children Category Winner
A modern architectural structure with multiple tall, arch-shaped elements in various shades of pink and beige. A large geometric shape with red, white, and teal segments is in the background against a light blue sky.
Leping Cheng, Architecture Category Winner
A black and white image depicting a person on horseback with a group of hounds gathered around. Only the lower part of the rider and horse are visible. The hounds appear alert and attentive, some looking directly at the camera.
Colin Hoskins, Animals Category Winner

The full gallery of winners as well as honorable mentions for the 2024 iPhone Photography Awards can be seen on the organization’s website.

Image credits: All photos individually credited and provided courtesy of the IPPAWARDS

, ,
, , , , , ,
PetaPixel articles may include affiliate links; if you buy something through such a link, PetaPixel may earn a commission.
Related Articles
2023 iPhone Photography Awards The Winners of the 2023 iPhone Photography Awards
the 2022 iPhone Photography Awards The Winners of the 2022 iPhone Photography Awards
These Are the Best iPhone Photos of 2017
20 of the Best iPhone Photos of 2016
Discussion