No products in the cart.
The Fujifilm “Life As You See It” competition has just ended. Coincidentally, it showed that life has a funny way of coming full circle.
There I was, scrolling through my emails last week, when I spotted something that made me do a proper double-take. An email from Fujifilm House of Photography with a subject line that made my heart skip: “Congratulations – Life As You See It 2025 Competition Results”.
Second place.
My photograph “Life is Opportunity” had secured second place in Fujifilm's “Life As You See It” photography competition. Out of thousands of submissions from photographers around the world, somehow my image had caught the attention of judges. Including the legendary Mr Whisper, Jemella Ukaegbu and Oli Wheeldon. It also earned a spot in the Summer exhibition at London's most prestigious photography venue.
I'll be honest: I'm still processing it.
The Istanbul connection that started it all
Here's what makes this win particularly meaningful: “Life is Opportunity” was captured during one of my photographic journeys through Istanbul. The same body of work that became my Istanbul hardcover book.
If you've been following my work for a while, you'll know that Istanbul holds a special place in my creative heart. The city's unique position straddling Europe and Asia creates an incredible energy where ancient meets modern, where tradition dances with innovation. It's truly a photographer's paradise. And, as I wrote in the book's introduction, my first trip to Istanbul almost three decades ago was my first true experience of Travel, rather than going on holiday.
This particular image emerged from one of those wandering sessions where I let the city guide me rather than forcing a predetermined shot. You know the feeling: when you're walking with your camera and suddenly the light, the moment, and the story align in ways you couldn't have planned.
The photograph shows a simple architectural element, a doorway, but what drew me to capture it was the metaphor it represented. In a place like Istanbul, doorways aren't just functional; they serve as thresholds between worlds, between possibilities, and between what is and what could be.
Due to the city's history, its geographical location, its cultural melting pot… Istanbul is in itself a doorway. At least, that's how I see it.
What the judges saw (and why it matters)
Reading Mr Whisper's comments about my image gave me goosebumps. “We were drawn to this image for its simplicity, symmetry and sense of curiosity it evokes. When paired with the word opportunity, it took on an even deeper meaning – inviting the viewer to imagine what lies beyond the frame“.
Coming from someone whose client list includes Disney, Netflix, and BMW, and who's been recognised as one of Instagram's most influential photographers, this feedback carries serious weight. But more than that, it confirms something I've always believed about photography: the best images aren't necessarily the most technically complex ones.
Ad from Trusted Partners
They're the ones that make you pause. Think. Wonder.
The broader picture (pun intended)
This recognition from Fujifilm comes at an interesting time in my career. Following my 2023 Street Photographer of the Year win and other accolades, I've been reflecting on how photography competitions have evolved. They're no longer just about technical excellence, though that remains important. They're increasingly about emotional connection, storytelling, and authentic perspective.
The Fujifilm “Life as you see it” competition perfectly embodies this shift. Rather than focusing on gear or complex post-processing, it celebrates diverse viewpoints and the simple prompt: “Life is…” followed by a single word that frames your image.
For “Life is opportunity,” that word choice was instinctive. Standing before that doorway in Istanbul, with morning light creating perfect symmetry, the metaphor felt obvious. Doors open. Opportunities present themselves. Sometimes we walk through; sometimes we don't. Sometimes we jump in without knowing what's behind it.
I Have A Little Something For You
Now, I'd like to share something that may feel a bit uncomfortable but is important. This win has created an opportunity for those of you who have been asking about prints of my work.
“Life is Opportunity” is now available as part of my Collection: Award-Winning Prints series. These aren't just photographs, they're pieces that have been recognised by industry professionals and have been exhibited at different venues around the world. They're precious, really.
I've always been slightly awkward about the commercial side of photography. Creating images feels natural; selling them feels… well, like selling. But I have learned that when people connect with a photograph enough to want it in their home or office, that's actually the highest compliment an image can receive. And I couldn't be more grateful, but this can only happen if I add my images to my store (or someone inquires directly).
If you're interested in owning a piece of Istanbul's story, whether you're a photography collector, someone who loves travel imagery, or simply someone who believes in supporting photographers, this might be the perfect moment.
Fujifilm Life As You See It 2025
The Istanbul book connection
“Life is opportunity” is also featured in my Istanbul travel guide and photo zine, alongside over a hundred other images that capture the city's incredible diversity and energy. If this single image resonates with you, you may find the complete Istanbul story equally compelling.
The book represents my many times wandering through Istanbul's neighbourhoods, from the tourist-heavy areas around Sultanahmet to the local haunts in Kadıköy and Beyoğlu. Each photograph tells part of a larger story about a city that refuses to be easily categorised.
What I love about having this competition win is how it validates not just the single image, but the entire artistic vision behind the Istanbul project. When judges recognise one piece, they're acknowledging the photographer's eye, their approach, their way of seeing.
When I said that life has a way of coming full circle, I recently added the hardcover version of the book to the store, bringing to a close my pursuit of a publisher that could pair museum-quality prints with affordable costs. Just a few weeks later, an image from the book received this important recognition.
Istanbul Travel Guide and Photo Book (Hardcover)
Looking Ahead
The Fujifilm “Life As You See It” exhibition at the House of Photography (8-9 Long Acre, Covent Garden) runs through the Summer. I'm genuinely excited about seeing “Life is opportunity” displayed alongside work from other talented photographers. If you're in London and fancy a browse, it's free and the venue itself is worth the visit. It's also a way to see the latest Fujifilm cameras, and the staff there is always wonderful.
This win doesn't change my approach to photography: I will still be wandering cities with my camera, looking for those moments where light and story intersect. But it does provide reassurance that authentic perspective and emotional connection still matter in our increasingly technical world.
I often say that being born in Florence has given me this driving force to always research Beauty in everything around me. Photography, at its best, remains about seeing. About finding beauty, but also meaning, and connection in the world around us. Whether that's in a doorway in Istanbul, a street scene in London, or a landscape in Tuscany.
The opportunity is always there. Sometimes we just need to recognise it.
THANK YOU!
