Salim Al-Hajri from Oman Wins ‘HIPA Photographer of the Year’

The Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) has announced the recipients of its Special Awards for the 14th Season of the award, themed ‘Power’. The honours spotlight three leading figures whose work has redefined modern photography: Rick Smolan, Mark Smith and Salim Al Hajri. Each award celebrates photographers whose impactful work contributes positively to the global photography industry.

Rick Smolan Receives Lifetime Honour
American photographer, author and innovator Rick Smolan received the Photography Appreciation Award for a distinguished career spanning decades. Smolan is renowned for pioneering large-scale storytelling projects that have shed light on urgent humanitarian issues. His bestselling books and global media collaborations are considered some of the most influential works in contemporary photography.

Mark Smith Named Top Content Creator
American bird photographer, filmmaker and conservationist Mark Smith was presented with the Photography Content Creator Award. Known for his stunning slow-motion wildlife footage and striking avian photography, Smith has attracted more than 2 billion views across digital platforms. His work has inspired a global community, advancing the craft of bird photography and deepening awareness of avian behaviour.

Salim Al Hajri Claimed HIPA Photographer of the Year
Omani photographer Salim Al Hajri has won the title of HIPA Photographer of the Year for his poignant documentation of Omani and Arab cultural heritage. Al Hajri’s imagery bridges tradition and modernity, while his mentorship has nurtured a new generation of photographers across Oman and the Gulf.

The Secretary General of HIPA, His Excellency Ali Bin Thalith said, “We are pleased to announce the Special Award winners of our 14th Season Awards, who have made influential and contemporary photographic contributions that touch on priority issues related to the environment, humanity and society. By honouring these distinguished individuals, we aim to provide exemplary models of their contributions to the global photography industry and their support for photographers worldwide.

Preparations are also underway for the highly anticipated ceremony at the Museum of the Future in Dubai on November 11, where the winners of all categories of the 14th Season will be honoured and the winning works revealed. This annual event is eagerly awaited by photography communities around the world and has even been described as the ‘Oscars of Photography’ by international experts.”

Bin Thalith added: “Honouring creative individuals in these three categories lies at the heart of the award’s mission, inspired by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and patron of HIPA, to support the arts, encourage cultural and intellectual creativity, and advance excellence in the field. We are especially proud to recognise an Arab figure from the beloved Sultanate of Oman, Salim Al Hajri, whose visual projects celebrate heritage identity and connect tradition with modernity in a powerful and innovative way, while fostering Omani and Gulf photographic talent.”

 

Rick Smolan | United States of America

Rick Smolan is the CEO of Against All Odds Productions, a pioneering media company based in New York City that brings together world-class photographers, cutting-edge technology and compelling human stories. A former photojournalist for Time, Life and National Geographic, Rick is best known as the creator of the iconic A DAY IN THE LIFE book series, which helped launch the mass-market coffee table book industry. His projects have sold over five million copies worldwide, with multiple titles reaching #1 on The New York Times bestseller list.

Rick’s innovative storytelling blends photography with emerging technology. His team has produced some of the most ambitious multimedia projects of the past three decades, including:

·        AMERICA 24/7, the largest crowdsourced photo book in history. It enabled each reader to feature themselves and their families on the cover of what became Rick’s fourth #1 New York Times bestseller with 1.4 million copies in print. Oprah Winfrey featured the book on her ‘Favorite Things’ program.

·        24 HOURS IN CYBERSPACE, a chronicle of the largest one-day online event in history, which is now archived at the Smithsonian.

In 2023, Rick received the prestigious ‘Ellis Island Medal of Honor’, joining past recipients such as Rosa Parks, Muhammad Ali and Bill Clinton. His work often addresses social justice and global challenges - from THE HUMAN FACE OF BIG DATA, a project delivered to 10,000 key influencers in 50 countries in a single day, to BLUE PLANET RUN: THE RACE TO PROVIDE CLEAN DRINKING WATER TO THE WORLD, which focused on the worldwide effort to provide clean drinking water.

In June 2014 the Oscar Winning Producers of ‘The Kings Speech’ released TRACKS, a feature film based on Rick's National Geographic story about Robyn Davidson’s 1,700-mile nine-month solo camel trek across the treacherous Australian outback.  In the movie, Rick is portrayed by Adam Driver.

Notable recent works include THE GOOD FIGHT: AMERICA’S ONGOING STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE, a widely acclaimed book highlighting the nation's century-long battle against racism, misogyny and inequality. It was selected by People Magazine as one of the “10 Best Books of the Year” and was the official TED Book Club selection.

A sought-after speaker, Rick has presented at TED, the World Economic Forum in Davos, The Ford Foundation and numerous tech and media conferences around the globe. His TED Talk, NATASHA’S STORY: AN AMERICAN HOMECOMING, has been viewed over 1.4 million times.

Named one of the “100 Most Important People in Photography” by American Photo magazine, Rick continues to redefine how we see and share the human experience in the digital age.

 

Mark Smith | United States of America

Mark Smith is an internationally acclaimed wildlife photographer, filmmaker and educator. He is best known for his breathtaking slow-motion videos and emotionally resonant bird photography. Based in Florida, Mark has built a global following by capturing rare, dramatic moments in the lives of raptors such as ospreys, bald eagles, hawks and owls - with stunning precision and artistry.

With over 2 billion video views, 1.8 million YouTube subscribers and 2.1 million followers on Instagram, Mark has become one of the most recognizable voices in the world of avian storytelling. His work invites viewers into the soul of nature, offering glimpses of beauty, struggle and grace often missed by the naked eye. Through the use of ultra-slow-motion videography, he reveals the intricacies of bird behaviour in hunting, flight and interaction - transforming fleeting moments into poetic experiences.

Mark’s photography has been featured on prominent platforms including My Modern Met, Fstoppers and the National Audubon Society. He is widely respected for his dual role as both artist and advocate. As a wildlife educator, he leads photo tours, on-field tutorials and live broadcasts, using his platform to inspire conservation and deepen public understanding of bird life.

In addition to his video work, Mark is also an accomplished author. His books combine stunning imagery with storytelling and practical guidance. Titles include BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY: A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO MASTERING THE ART OF CAPTURING STUNNING IMAGES OF BIRDS and OSPREY: THE GLORIOUS PURSUIT OF UNBRIDLED DETERMINATION - a photo-essay that celebrates the resilience of one of nature’s most skilled predators. His upcoming book, THE SPIRIT OF BIRDS, blends powerful visuals with poetic reflections, continuing his mission to reconnect people not only with wildlife, but also with themselves.

Mark has also extended his impact through a successful line of photography gear and branded merchandise.

Whether through the lens of a camera, the pages of a book or the reach of social media, Mark Smith’s work consistently evokes awe, fosters curiosity and builds a stronger connection between humans and the natural world.

Salim Sultan Al-Hajri | Sultanate of Oman

Salim Sultan Al-Hajri is an Omani photographer renowned for his powerful visual storytelling focused on preserving and celebrating Omani and Arab cultural heritage. Through his lens, he brings to life the rich identity of the region with vivid, emotionally resonant images that connect past traditions with present-day narratives.

Throughout his career, Salim has led more than 19 specialised photography workshops, many of which centered on documenting traditional Arab customs. These include workshops on Tbourida (traditional Moroccan horseback displays) and the acclaimed WE ARE OMAN series, which toured various regions of the Sultanate, capturing the diversity and depth of Omani heritage.

Salim’s work has earned him multiple prestigious awards on both Arab and international stages. He was awarded the gold medal in the black-and-white category as part of the Omani team at the ‘FIAP International Photography Competition’. His work has been celebrated by major institutions, including Qatar Museums during the Qatar Creates Festival and the Qatar Photo Festival. His exhibitions, including WE ARE OMAN and NASA HACKATHON OMAN, reflect a deep commitment to showcasing heritage through an artistic and human lens.

With every frame, Salim carries a clear mission: to present Omani and Arab heritage to the world through inspiring and meaningful visual art.