Previous Life As You See It Winners and Why They Won

From everyday wonders to extraordinary visions, our Life As You See It photography competition is back, giving you the opportunity to share the world from where you’re standing. 

Curious to find out what our judges are looking for? In this post, we’ll be looking back at last year’s winning images and breaking down the defining qualities that set them apart from the rest.

What is ‘Life As You See It’? 

Now in its second year, Life As You See It is a free-to-enter photography competition that celebrates the beauty of perspective. 

The way we view life is unique to all of us, and we believe that's something well worth capturing. From fleeting moments of stillness and peace to excitement, chaos, and everything in between, the life you witness and the way you witness it has the potential to change how all of us see the world.

Similar to last year, we’re asking entrants to submit five photographs alongside five captions that start with ‘Life is…’. We’d like you to complete this statement with a single word that summarises the mood, feeling, or atmosphere in each photo. This will help us to further understand your vision.

Last year’s photography competition winners

Last year, we received 644 entries for Life As You See It (over 2,500 photos in total) and ended up shortlisting 125 entrants. 

We received a huge variety of imagery, displaying everything from bold architecture and natural landscapes to compelling scenes of humanity and the environments we call home. 

In the end, we managed to whittle it down to just three winning images. Let’s take a look at what they were and why we selected them: 

• First Place: ‘Hectic’ by Justin Goulding

Justin’s aptly named photo ‘Hectic’ captures a precious moment spent with his two nephews. In the distance, we see one child gripping his favourite toy and seemingly daydreaming while the other is deeply fascinated by the camera lens.

Why was Justin’s playful shot deemed a winning photo?

“We loved how Justin was able to capture the hectic nature of not only children, but also the challenge of photographing them. It was the curious spirit to his photography, alongside his ability to compose the scene, that awarded him first place.” — LAYSI Judging Panel

Why did Justin enter Life As You See It?

“Because it was one of the most epic photos I have ever taken, being at the right place in the right time. Life happening, as I see it :)” — Justin Goulding

• Second Place: ‘Unexpected’ by Vasil Boyanov

Vasil’s striking image of his friend smoking a cigarette in front of an upturned car on the motorway captures the viewer’s attention instantly. From the inky blue sky and dramatic silhouette of trees cast in shadow to the subject’s pained expression — every part of the frame is utterly captivating, and leaves the viewer with endless questions. 

What did our judges have to say about ‘Unexpected’?

“Vasil's image depicts a scene that, whilst not common, feels familiar and nostalgic. This is enhanced by the medium of shooting on film, which adds a familiarity to the scene, allowing viewers to connect.” — LAYSI Judging Panel

How did Vasil feel when he found out he’d been shortlisted?

“When I saw I was shortlisted, I nearly cried, and I immediately called my family to share the good news, as they all know how much I love Fuji and everything you do! It was already a win for me that I was shortlisted, and I really could not believe my ears when I heard I was SECOND, from all the amazing entries!”

• Third Place: ‘Breath (Soul)’ by Trevor Romain

Trevor’s powerful photograph depicts a manager at an orphanage embracing a child. As we examine the image more closely, we notice a deep intensity in her eyes and a hopeful smile. 

What made Trevor’s photo stand out to the judges?

“This powerful image captures a moment of love and connection between a mother and a child. It's a raw and honest portrayal of life – unfiltered, dignified and moving. This image stood out for its emotional gravity and simplicity.” — LAYSI Judging Panel

What made Trevor want to enter his photo?

“I wanted to show the world a woman who, despite being doused with paraffin and set alight when she was ten years old, managed to live, love and become a manager at an orphanage. I wanted her to be seen by others and not only by me and the people in her village.” — Trevor Romain

When summing up all of last year’s entries, Theo Georghiades, FUJIFILM UK General Manager, Imaging Solutions, added: 

“(Last year’s) entries to the competition showed outstanding creativity, portraying a powerful range of subjects that celebrate the way people see life – regardless of whether they are a Fujifilm user or not.”

Why should you enter Life As You See It?

They all entered to tell a story. Now it’s your turn.

Unlike other photography-based/camera competitions, we don’t want participants to feel bogged down by rules or restricted by entry requirements. 

Ultimately, we’re looking for what you’re seeing. That means we’re not judging your images based on your technical ability or the camera you use to grab your shots. We’re simply after a new sight to behold: yours. 

We’d love as many people as possible to join us in sharing their perspectives and personal stories. That way, we can piece them all together and create a collection of photos that show what it means to live, wherever and however that may be.

Competition prizes and our FUJIFILM event

For this year’s competition, the three prizes up for grabs are: 

First place: FUJIFILM X Series camera 

Second place: instax WIDE Evo™ hybrid instant camera

Third place: £150 voucher for FUJIFILM House of Photography

All shortlisted entries will appear in our FUJIFILM brand video, which will be shared online and screened at our FUJIFILM House of Photography gallery. We’re also offering all shortlisted entries 25 free prints from our online print site www.myfujifilm.co.uk. 

On the 13th June, anyone shortlisted will then be invited to join us at the launch of our new brand film.

Show us ‘Life As You See It’ — how to enter 

This competition is open to all UK residents aged 18 or over, and entry is completely free. Simply head to our Life As You See It Competition Details page and submit up to five image(s), with a one-word summary caption for each that completes the phrase ‘Life is…’. 

Submit all photographs in JPEG file format with a minimum size of 4961×7016 pixels and a maximum of 10 MB. 

Along with your images, you’ll need to include:

• your first and last name
• a single-word title for each image
• confirmation that you have consent from all subjects within the photograph or mentioned in the title and/or caption for the photograph to be submitted to the competition.
  
  

Final tips for entering

Want to wow us with your images? 

Here are a few final tips to get you noticed:

Embrace the ordinary: While moments of grandeur can be captivating, don’t underestimate the beauty of everyday life. Sometimes, the simplest scenes — like a child’s laughter or a quiet morning — carry the deepest meaning.

Stay authentic: Our judges are drawn to honesty and individuality. Share your unique perspective of life as you see it, without trying too hard to replicate others’ styles or techniques.

Capture emotion: Whether it's joy, melancholy, or awe, evoke a feeling through your images that resonates with the viewer.

Think carefully about your captions: The phrase ‘Life is…’ opens the door to endless possibilities — choose words that spark curiosity.

Experiment fearlessly: Finally, don’t hold back from exploring unusual angles, lighting, or compositions. This is all about your way of seeing things. 

All photos must be submitted between the 21st April 2025 – 25th May 2025 for a chance to be selected. Best of luck to all entrants. We can’t wait to see what you create!