IFWTWA 2025 Photo Contest Highlights

IFWTWA wishes to congratulate the 2025 Photo Contest winners. There were 126 entries, 106 from IFWTWA members and 10 from non-members.

In this post, we share every winning image, along with the story behind each photo. The 2025 Photography Contest consisted of eight categories:  Artificial Intelligence, Environmental Portraiture, Food, Landscape, Nature, Night, Urban Landscape, and Wine & Spirits.

Best in Show – IFWTWA 2025 Photography Contest

Therese Iknoian received Best of Show honors in the IFWTWA 2025 Photography Contest from the ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAITURE category for her photo entitled Finding the Beat.

ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAITURE

The Carnival of Cultures is a robust street fair in Berlin. It attracts musicians, artists, dancers, food, and crafts from cultures all over the world. You wind through the more formal booths and stages, but across the street is where the magic happens. In a neighboring park, Jamaican drummers gather to create a beat that gets you moving. At random, people jump into the middle of the circle to dance; the drummers laugh as the beat infects everyone. I crouched and watched this one drummer, loving his look and waiting for him to look at me. I whispered under my breath to myself, look at me, look at me, look at me. Then he did, flashing the tiniest hint of acknowledgment before returning to finding the beat.

First Place in Environmental Portraiture

Therese Iknoian received 1^st Place honors in the IFWTWA 2025 Photography Contest from the ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAITURE category for her photo entitled Finding the Beat.

Second Place in Environmental Portraiture

Terri Guthrie received 2^nd Place honors in the IFWTWA 2025 Photography Contest from the ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAITURE category for her photo entitled Turkish Woman.

This Turkish woman was curiously watching tourists on the modest front porch of her two-room house. 

Antalya, Türkiye, is primarily rural, and many homes are in remote locations. I imagine this old, weathered woman doesn’t see too many people, so when tourists arrive to photograph nearby ruins, she has her entertainment for the day. Running up to her porch to take cover from the rain, I tried talking to her, but she did not speak English. I motioned to her, “Can I take your picture”? She seemed to understand and nodded yes.

I love this picture of a Turkish woman. It reminds me of a different time and place, and how different yet so much alike we are—just different countries and cultures with the same needs and desires. I will always cherish this image.

Third Place in Environmental Portraiture

Heather Trimm received 3^rd Place honors in the IFWTWA 2025 Photography Contest from the ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAITURE category for her photo entitled Kaleidoscope of Love.

While touring a unique museum in New York City around Valentine’s Day, I saw a couple ahead of me in this walk-through light display. It was the exhibit’s end, and I loved that the couple’s silhouette was framed by lights dancing like a kaleidoscope. The leading lines led my eye to the exhibit’s focal point, an aqua heart. Upon second glance, I saw the aqua lights at the top that perfectly accentuated the heart. The scene set a natural stage to capture a Valentine’s Day display of love!

Honorable Mention in Environmental Portraiture

Sarah Blevins received Honorable Mention in the IFWTWA 2025 Photography Contest from the ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAITURE category for her photo entitled A Selfie in Monterosso Italy.

This photo is more than a selfie. It encapsulates our experience as tourists exploring Italy’s rich culture. While this photo was not staged and “just happened,”  the lines and composition were incredibly interesting when we came across this mirror. They fulfilled both the rule of thirds and a center-composed image. I like how you can see inside the shop window; the stairs create a little added mystery and depth.

FOOD

First Place in Food

Athena Lucero received 1^st Place honors in the IFWTWA 2025 Photography Contest from the FOOD category for her photo entitled Baskets of Berries Minus One.

At Little Italy’s Saturday Mercato Farmers’ Market in San Diego, California, baskets of freshly picked blueberries and raspberries stopped me in my tracks. Then I moved on to explore more of the famous six-block-long marketplace. It is held every Saturday – rain or shine – at Piazza della Famiglia. This is Little Italy’s largest square. When I returned to the display of berries, an empty space left a compelling narrative. Was it a box of blueberries or a box of raspberries?

Second Place in Food

Debbra Dunning Brouillette received 2^nd Place honors in the IFWTWA 2025 Photography Contest from the FOOD category for her photo entitled Peruvian Ceviche At Hacienda Del Mar Los Cabos.

I chose this delicious Peruvian Ceviche for lunch at Las Sirenas, a poolside restaurant at Hacienda del Mar Los Cabos resort. It combines cubes of the catch of the day (“Leche de Tigre”) with red onion, cubed sweet potato, and toasted corn (“cancha serrana”).

Third Place in Food

Scott Kendall received 3^rd Place honors in the IFWTWA 2025 Photography Contest from the FOOD category for his photo entitled, Magical Develi Baharat at the Spice Bazaar Historic Istanbul.

Smiles and frowns are part of the amazing Spice Market in historic Istanbul, Türkiye. The pungent smell of curries, paprika, saffron, and other exotic spices fills the air. The storekeeper at Develi Baharat added whimsical facial expressions to grab the eye of passersby.

Honorable Mention in Food

Sarah Blevins received an Honorable Mention in the IFWTWA 2025 Photography Contest from the FOOD category for her photo entitled Breakfast is Served in Peru.

The Wayrumi is a small family hotel and restaurant located in the foothills of the Peruvian Andes. Breakfast is included with your stay. The hotel owner made us this lovely avocado toast with local ingredients in the open-air kitchen.

LANDSCAPE

First Place in Landscape

Chére Coen received 1^st Place honors in the IFWTWA 2025 Photography Contest from the LANDSCAPE category for her photo entitled Lake Lanier Morning.

I drove around Lake Lanier in early spring as the morning fog slowly lifted. I spotted this scene and immediately stopped the car to shoot this photo. It was one of those moments where the image presented itself, and I grabbed it.

Second Place in Landscape

Donnie Sexton received 2^nd Place honors in the IFWTWA 2025 Photography Contest from the LANDSCAPE category for her photo entitled, Sumba Dancing Trees.

These dwarf mangrove trees appear to be dancing. The ideal time to capture them is sunset or sunrise. The trees can be viewed from Walakiri Beach on the remote island of Sumba, Indonesia.

Third Place in Landscape

Susan Lanier-Graham received 3^rd Place honors in the IFWTWA 2025 Photography Contest from the LANDSCAPE category for her photo entitled Adirondack Chairs in the Vineyard.

It was a delightful July afternoon when I met friends at Cellardoor Winery in Lincolnville, Maine. We took our glasses of sparkling wine and wandered out toward the vineyard. The colorful Adirondack chairs—so classic New England—beckoned to us. I lingered, taking in the bright colors against the green vineyards in the late-afternoon sun, with live music drifting from the winery behind me. I was completely relaxed and at peace in that moment.

Honorable Mention in Landscape

Heather Trimm received Honorable Mention in the IFWTWA 2025 Photography Contest from the LANDSCAPE category for her photo entitled Springtime at Mount Fuji.

Having seen Mount Fuji surrounded by fall foliage, I was ecstatic to get the chance to return in the springtime in hopes of seeing the mountain in cherry blossom season. I felt extremely fortunate to get this opportunity and to have a clear day with an unobscured summit! I walked around to find “the” spot where I could frame the snow-covered Mount Fuji with the beautiful cherry blossoms. As I clicked away, I realized it represented a check off my bucket list, which always brings me joy!

NATURE

First Place in Nature

Debbra Dunning Brouillette received 1st Place honors in the IFWTWA 2025 Photography Contest from the NATURE category for her photo entitled Great Blue Heron with Fish in Mouth, Fort Pickens, Florida.

This image is of a Great Blue Heron with its “fresh catch.” He was in the process of swallowing his lunch and walking in the sand behind us. When I captured this photo, we were on the beach at Fort Pickens, near Pensacola, Florida, watching the Blue Angels practice.

Second Place in Nature

Rebecca L. Rhoads received 2^nd Place honors in the IFWTWA 2025 Photography Contest from the NATURE category for her photo entitled Sandhill Cranes.

Up to 1.25 million cranes descend each spring on the Platte River Valley in central Nebraska to rest and refuel before heading to their summer breeding grounds in Alaska, Canada, and the Arctic. The cranes spend their days in the fields, eating, and they return to the Platte River to roost at night. The Crane Trust offers sunrise and sunset viewings of the cranes as they leave and return to the river. This photograph was taken on a cold March morning at the Crane Trust as the birds departed the river. Besides the sandhill cranes, you’ll also notice a rare whooping crane, a tall white bird near the bottom of the image.

Third Place in Nature

Barbara Redding received 3^rd Place honors in the IFWTWA 2025 Photography Contest from the NATURE category for her photo entitled Camel Parking Lot in Sahara Desert.

On a tour of Morocco, I traveled into the Sahara Desert for a camel ride in Erg Chebbi to watch the sunset. After we carefully dismounted our camels, we walked up a steep hill to a good vantage point. When I turned around at the top, I saw our camels resting peacefully in the sand. Their brightly colored saddles contrasted beautifully with the golden, undulating sand. The picture reminds me of my wonderful trip to Morocco, where I visited the vibrant cities of Marrakesh and Casablanca and rode a camel into the largest hot desert in the world.

Honorable Mention in Nature

Danielle Bauter received Honorable Mention in the IFWTWA 2025 Photography Contest from the NATURE category for her photo entitled Iguana in Puerto Rico.

I was drinking coffee in my villa at the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico and looked out the window to find an iguana resting on a palm tree branch. I almost missed it; hiding in plain sight, its colors blending with the green of the palm leaves. It stayed there for quite a while, surveying the scenery.

NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

First Place in Night Photography

Therese Iknoian received 1^st Place honors in the IFWTWA 2025 Photography Contest from the NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY category for her photo entitled Moonset Love.

A wild, winding ATV ride to the top of Mt. Washington in Great Basin National Park, Nevada, gave me a long evening to capture night images. It was cold at about 12,000 feet and dark, but having the mountaintop to roam at will was an extraordinary opportunity. I headed back to the ATV to get back down the mountain. It was already midnight, but one last shot caught my eye – the tree with a heart-shaped opening. A small light set up outside the frame helped sidelight the ancient Bristlecone pine. When I moved my tripod a few feet to the left, I was also able to capture the moon in a slightly longer exposure as it set among clouds, which made the shot extra special.

Second Place in Night Photography

Therese Iknoian received 2^nd Place honors in the IFWTWA 2025 Photography Contest from the NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY category for her photo entitled Starry Starry Church.

Wandering the quiet of any ghost town at night is special to me. In the Nelson Ghost Town (El Dorado Canyon) south of Las Vegas, Nevada, there is a plethora of vintage and antique “stuff” the owner has collected – and you have the run of the place.

I set up my camera to align the North Star next to the church. I then adjusted my settings to capture enough light and more than an hour of about 30-second intervals. Later, I combined them in Photoshop to create circling stars.

In the first exposure, I used a flashlight to light the piano, dashed to the church, lit the interior, dashed to the motel sign (avoiding cacti!), and lit the front.

I was dressed in black and constantly moving; the camera never perceived my existence. I love how the circles nestle between the church and the piano.

Third Place in Night Photography

Rebecca L. Rhoades received 3^rd Place honors in the IFWTWA 2025 Photography Contest from the NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY category for her photo entitled Fire Twirler.

This photograph was taken during an IFWTWA media trip to Hacienda del Mar in Cabo. The culmination of the resort’s Dia de los Muertos celebrations was a parade through the property. It featured dancers, jugglers, costumed participants, stilt walkers, and fire twirlers, including the master of ceremonies.

Honorable Mention in Night Photography

Heather Trimm received Honorable Mention in the IFWTWA 2025 Photography Contest from the NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY category for her photo entitled Kuala Lumpur After Dark.

I love bridges, and I photograph them all over the world every chance I get. Bonus points if they light up at night, and the Saloma Link Bridge did just that. While my group walked ahead, I hung back, taking in the different angles. I loved the stark contrast of the colors of the bridge, the Menara Public Bank, and the famous Petronas Twin Towers. Each offered its own color palette, architectural style, and height. All of these elements contributed to the photo’s visual texture. Nighttime photography is my happy place; a big reason for this is how colorful it can be!

URBAN LANDSCAPE

First Place in Urban Landscape

Debbra Dunning Brouillette received 1^st Place honors in the IFWTWA 2025 Photography Contest from the URBAN LANDSCAPE category for her photo entitled Hasbro Play Garden Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester.

Visitors can enjoy physical and mental activities based on their favorite games in the Hasbro Play Garden. It is located outside the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York. I captured this image as I strolled along a colorful path amid towering Candy Land candy canes and a 14-foot-long Scottie dog from Monopoly.

Second Place in Urban Landscape

Terri Guthrie received 2^nd Place honors in the IFWTWA 2025 Photography Contest from the URBAN LANDSCAPE category for her photo entitled Palace.

This magnificent Dolmabahçe Palace is a must-see in Istanbul, Türkiye. It was the former home of multiple Sultans, and the most cherished resident is Turkish hero and former President Ataturk.  He died here in 1938. This image features the beautiful gardens located on the south side of the palace.

Sara Blevins received 2^nd Place honors in the IFWTWA 2025 Photography Contest from the URBAN LANDSCAPE category for her photo entitled New and Old in Casco Viejo.

This image shows both old and new buildings in the Casco Viejo (Old Town) area of Panama City, Panama. They are adjacent with no break, yet couldn’t be more different! The day we were there was one of Panama’s Independence celebrations, so the entire building (a hotel) had a Panama flag hanging down from it, adding additional visual interest and context.

Third Place in Urban Landscape

Susan Lanier-Graham received 3^rd Place honors in the IFWTWA 2025 Photography Contest from the URBAN LANDSCAPE category for her photo entitled, Through the Looking Glass.

A window to the world lets visitors at Oklahoma City’s Myriad Botanical Gardens watch the seasons change beyond the Conservatory.

Albert Einstein’s words ring the window: Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything. I had just left the Oklahoma City Memorial, where the bombing took place 19 years earlier. I loved the gardens and the Conservatory, but entering the Oculus Gallery, I was instantly drawn to that window and its words.

Looking deep into nature, I understood the beauty around me, even the skyscrapers towering above the gardens. Still, I knew I would never understand the juxtaposition of beauty to the destruction of humanity. It was such a simple tribute, but it created such complicated feelings.”

Honorable Mention in Urban Landscape

Susan Lanier-Graham received Honorable Mention in the IFWTWA 2025 Photography Contest, URBAN LANDSCAPE category, for her photo titled Art Helps Us Survive.

Salina, Kansas, once an outpost for those moving west, has strong roots in farming. The town has embraced art, creating a walkable downtown with murals and sculptures. I was drawn to this old mill; turning something broken into something alive made me smile.

WINE & SPIRITS

First Place in Wine & Spirits

Laura Danforth received 1^st Place honors in the IFWTWA 2025 Photography Contest from the WINE & SPIRITS category for her photo entitled DeRicci Wine Cathedral.

You can explore one of the town’s oldest wine cellars in Tuscany’s Montepulciano. Originally an Etruscan hand-dug cave, the De’Ricci family converted it into a wine cellar in the 1300s. They later added this stunning underground wine cathedral in 1534. Featuring three naves, it’s lined with century-old barrels. The cool, stable temperatures and humidity levels create the perfect conditions for aging De’Ricci’s outstanding Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wines. During my visit, I enjoyed a tasting of these paired with local cheeses and charcuterie. It was an unforgettable experience!

Second Place in Wine & Spirits

Gavin Booth received 2^nd Place honors in the IFWTWA 2025 Photography Contest from the WINE & SPIRITS category for his photo entitled Pink Cocktail Milkshake in Clarksville.

This is the drink and location for all lovers of pink.  Traveling through Tennessee, you’d never expect to find this all-pink restaurant in Clarksville. It was such a welcome surprise for their downtown district. Beyond this drink, you can also go there for any teatime needs, just as if you’re in London.

Third Place in Wine & Spirits

Sarah Blevins received 3^rd Place honors in the IFWTWA 2025 Photography Contest from the WINE & SPIRITS category for her photo entitled Smoke and Fire.

These two cocktails were hand-crafted by the bartender at Flyover Las Vegas. Each had a smoke bubble placed on top that recently burst, leaving a smoky haze around this beautiful drink as it was being served.

Honorable Mention in Wine & Spirits

Laura Danforth received Honorable Mention in the IFWTWA 2025 Photography Contest from the WINE & SPIRITS category for her photo entitled Wine Tasting in Barolo.

In Barolo, Italy, Borgogno has been making wine since 1761 and is one of the oldest producers in the area. Their tasting room in the village lets you sample different Barolos right where they’re made. One of the best parts of visiting Borgogno is its amazing roof deck. It offers a 360-degree view of Barolo and the vineyards. While there, I enjoyed a glass of wine, and the views spread out in every direction. This photo captures that relaxed moment and the scenic backdrop that makes Barolo a special place for wine lovers.”

Thanks again to all who entered the IFWTWA 2025 Photography Contest, and congratulations to the winners!