Outback Scene Snaps Up 2025 Australian Life Pictures Prize

A shocking picture of younger drovers on a dusty Queensland inventory route has claimed the highest prize within the City of Sydney‘s annual Australian Life pictures competitors.

Shot by photojournalist Carly Earl, Riley Swanson on the Roma Southern Road was topped the profitable picture on Thursday night time, marking the launch of the out of doors exhibition at Customs House Square.

Earl, additionally an image editor at The Guardian, beat out 29 different finalists to win $10,000 and a few well-earned bragging rights.

Australian Life exhibition captures the nation’s POV

Judges praised Earl’s photograph for providing “a beautiful insight into a part of Australia most people wouldn’t know exists.”

A 3-person panel, together with 2024 Australian Life winner Hank Paul, photographer Milly Hooper, and journey/documentary photographer Matt Horspool, chosen the winners.

“It’s always tough to pick one image from the final 30, and this year was one of the hardest yet,” stated Lord Mayor Clover Moore. “The diversity, colour and spirit of our amazing country has been perfectly captured in these incredible shots.”

One of the nation’s largest pictures prizes and a part of the City of Sydney’s Art & About program, Australian Life provides a novel have a look at life throughout the nation, from distant outback scenes to city snapshots.

From metropolis skyline to gallery after darkish

Works from finalists, together with professionals and amateurs, are actually on show at Customs House Square and on-line.

And after darkish within the CBD, lookup as a rotating choice will mild up digital billboards throughout town from 5pm to 6am for the following two weeks.

Budding skills take the stage in Australian Life youth classes

Alongside the primary occasion, this yr’s program additionally shines a highlight on rising expertise by way of two youth classes: the teenager division of Australian Life and Little Sydney Lives.

Seventeen-year-old Callum Poling received the teenager prize for February Boat Carnival, an atmospheric seize that earned him $2,000 and a gear bundle from OM System digicam bundle valued at over $2,500.

Meanwhile, Little Sydney Lives, the pint-sized sibling of Australian Life, celebrated its youngest photographers.

Open to children aged 5 to 12, this yr’s first prize went to Chloe Wiseman for her haunting double publicity portrait Home-made Mummy, that includes her mum.

The judges appreciated Wiseman’s daring approach and emotional weight.

Runner-up Zoe Morris landed laughs and second place with Sibling Love, a cheeky, satirical tackle household life.

“A heartfelt congratulations to our winner, runner-up, and all the young finalists,” Moore stated. “Little Sydney Lives is such a joyful part of this event—and it’s always inspiring to see what our youngest creatives come up with.”

An on-line gallery that includes all finalist photographs is dwell now, the place the general public can vote for a People’s Choice award. The profitable photographer will take house an OM System prize pack price $5,400.

The Australian Life and Little Sydney Lives exhibitions run till 24 August at Customs House Square and Customs House Library.