Dubai-based Filipino photographer Donell Gumiran has been named the United Arab Emirates National Award winner at the Sony World Photography Awards 2025. Sony Middle East and Africa announced his victory as part of the National & Regional Awards program, which recognizes top photographic talent from 56 countries.
This year’s Sony World Photography Awards attracted over 419,000 submissions from more than 200 countries and territories. National and Regional Award winners were chosen from the Open competition, which highlights the best single images taken in the past year.
Gumiran’s winning entry, A Timeless Tradition, was selected anonymously by judges in the Lifestyle category. The striking photograph features an Emirati woman standing along the Corniche seaside in Abu Dhabi, clad in traditional attire, with an old fisherman’s boat in the foreground. Her poised expression and gaze towards the horizon symbolize the rich cultural heritage of the UAE. Gumiran describes the image as a reflection of Emirati identity, deeply tied to the sea and ancestral traditions.
Renowned for his evocative storytelling through photography, Gumiran has been featured in prestigious publications such as National Geographic España, Forbes, BBC News, and Vogue. His work has been showcased in major cities worldwide, including London, Paris, Berlin, Tokyo, Abu Dhabi, Madrid, New York, and Moscow.
Expressing his gratitude for the recognition, Gumiran stated, “I am truly grateful to be chosen as the UAE National Award winner for the Sony World Photography Awards 2025. Photography allows me to tell stories and capture moments that matter. A Timeless Tradition is special to me because it reflects the rich culture and heritage of the UAE. I’m thankful to Sony and the World Photography Organisation for giving photographers like me a chance to share our work with the world.”
As a National Award winner, Gumiran will receive Sony digital imaging equipment and have his work exhibited in the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition and book. The overall winners for the Student, Youth, Open, and Professional categories will be announced on April 16, 2025, with the exhibition running from April 17 to May 5, 2025, at Somerset House, London.
