International Photographic Award Winners in the UAE.
To be invited to exhibit at one of the world most prestigious photography festivals was an incredible honour, but to come away winning a major International photographic award at xposure, was a dream come true.
The desert air in Sharjah, even in February, carries a certain warmth, a golden hue that seems to infuse everything. But the true warmth we felt wasn't from the sun; it was the overwhelming sense of honour at being part of the XPOSURE International Photography Festival. Lisa and I, are still trying to process it all.
What is XPOSURE?
XPOSURE isn't just a festival; it's a pilgrimage for those who hold photography sacred. It's a gathering of minds, where legends like Sir Don McCullin and Greg Gorman mingle with rising stars, all sharing a passion that burns brighter than any flash. The level of organization, the sheer scale of the event, is beyond words. we can only hope the images we captured convey a fraction of the magic we witnessed.
To be invited to exhibit alongside some of the world’s most revered photographers felt surreal. To be flown to the UAE, a dream in itself. But what unfolded during that week... well, it transcended anything we could have imagined.
The closing ceremony was a crescendo, a celebration of photographic excellence. To see Sir Don McCullin, a man whose images have etched themselves into history, receive his award… it was humbling. Then, James Nachtwey, a name synonymous with unflinching truth, stepped onto the stage. We'd just been reading about him on the BBC, the 'last of the great photojournalists', and there he was, a living testament to the power of a single frame.
Greg Gorman, with his stories of capturing the essence of Hollywood's icons, followed. We'd shared a morning chatting about his incredible journey, and to see him honoured was a true delight.
And then, our names were called. "Lisa and Simon Thomas." A moment of disbelief, a shared glance, and a gentle nudge from Aidan beside me. We walked onto the stage, a little dazed, and found ourselves standing before His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi. He smiled, a warm, genuine smile, and handed us a weighty, golden award. "You better take it," he said, "it's yours and it's heavy."
We posed for photos, a blur of lights and applause, and then retreated to our seats, a quiet "what just happened?" passing between us. A Gold award, presented by royalty, in the company of legends. It was an honour that, honestly, leaves us a little speechless.
But beyond the awards and the accolades, XPOSURE was about connection. It was about laughing with giants over breakfast, sharing stories under the desert stars, and discovering that the most talented among us are also the most humble. We left Sharjah with hearts full, minds inspired, and a profound gratitude for the art that brings us all together.
We hope the video we’ve put together can capture a little bit of the magic we experienced.
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