Congratulations to our Select Photographers Contest award winners and finalists!
Thank you to all of the photographers who captured and shared moments of kindness from communities across the globe!
The Envision Kindness Select Photographers Program is an invitation-only program that was created for talented and compassionate photographers who have a deep interest in seeing people treat each other better and experience happiness.
The 2025 Select Photographers international photo contest received many hundreds of wonderful and inspiring images of kindness, compassion, joy, and love. It was very difficult to choose which images to accept and which to award prizes to, as there were so many beautiful submissions from a large group of talented photographers.
We hope that you find them as inspiring as we do. We are so pleased with the different approaches and subjects that show the many faces of kindness and the flow of love.
Check out the gallery below to view the prize winning and finalist images that were submitted by these kind and talented photographers to help inspire kindness, joy, and healing in the world!
Returning the Love You Taught Me
Outstanding Image
Emil III Mijares
This moment shows my mom gently combing my Lola’s hair — the same hands once guided by hers. Now, roles have reversed, but the love remains. It’s a quiet, powerful return of care — proof that the kindness we give always finds its way back.
Trust in Gentle Hands
Outstanding Image
Guillaume Petermann
A doctor at the Mayotte Hospital Center (CHM) in Mamoudzou gently examines a young baby. The way they look at each other reflects the trust already forming between them. Despite a severely under-resourced healthcare system and exhausting working conditions, doctors, nurses, and caregivers in Mayotte continue to provide the best care they can—with kindness, compassion, and unwavering dedication.
In Prayer
Outstanding Image
Stella Tchuisse
While he is praying for a man, a pastor puts his hand on the chest of this believer. In our times of doubt and need, having a hand come for us, to us, can bring comfort and peace of mind. This image suggests that we have to be the hand that supports people who are in the dark.
Tiny Hands, Big Love
Honorable Mention
Pinkesh Bhati
Warmth of Hands
Honorable Mention
Oleksandr Chornyi
A Great Gift of Freedom from Tiny Hands
Honorable Mention
Leyla Emektar
Lean on Me
Honorable Mention
Mary Crnkovic Pilas
The Power of Volunteering
Honorable Mention
Zienab Adel
Friendship
Honorable Mention
Toby Binder
Moments in the Hallway
Honorable Mention
Emil III Mijares
Flower
Honorable Mention
Ali Acar
Milk White
Honorable Mention
K.Deniz Kalayci
The Beginning of Faith
Honorable Mention
Wu-Tzung Lee
Announcing a special kindness photography publication
featuring awarded Select Photographers’ work!
We are happy to share a new article about the power of kindness photography that was published in FRAMES Digital Magazine, featuring the Outstanding Image awardees’ photographs from this year’s Select Photographers photo contest as well as other impactful kindness images!
(Click above to view the full article)
Contest Finalists
To view finalists, please see the gallery below. All finalist images are displayed in a random order. Click on an image, then click on “i” at the bottom of the image window to see the image title and photographer name, as well as a description from the photographer.
Prizes
$100
Honorarium for all Accepted Images
$50
Bonus for 10 Honorable Mention Images
$200
Bonus for 3 Outstanding Images
Do you believe the world could be a kinder place?
It can, through your photography. We know that after people see images of kindness, they are kinder, happier, more optimistic, and more generous. If you’re an experienced photographer interested in joining us as a Select Photographer, please take a look at the Select Photographers page!
How we use images at Envision Kindness
Envision Kindness is a non-profit that inspires kindness, compassion, joy, and love through photography. We share images of kindness to inspire people wherever they are. We compile some of those images into videos to become part of a program called EnSpire.
You can see a sample of how we may use photos in the video montage Why Do Hugs Feel So Good?. You can also find more videos on the Enspire page, as well as links to the science showing how your images of kindness, caring, and compassion can make people happier, calmer, more grateful, and more generous! This is a very powerful and simple way to help people connect with their humanity and the humanity of others.
What does kindness look like? Join the kindness photography movement!
Where do you see moments of kindness in your community? What stories can you tell?
Here’s a bit of inspiration to help you capture these impactful moments. Your photos can document a real-life moment or illustrate a concept. What does kindness look like to you?
Kind people
We see kindness in people every day – in people we know and those we haven’t met yet lending a hand, helping others, or paying it forward.
Kindness in nature
You may find kindness in animals, in a heart-shaped leaf, in hikers lending a hand, in protecting the environment, and so much more.
Kindness in the community
Our communities are filled with kindness! At work, in places of worship, in hospitals, from non-profits, and in public spaces and shops.