A selfie, a close-up of a ladybird on a sunflower and a reflection of a building in a puddle are among the winning shots in an annual international photography prize run by the Down’s Syndrome Association.
More than 250 photographers from around the world entered My Perspective, the competition for people who have Down syndrome.
The contest, in its 15th year, gives “a unique global insight into how children and adults who have Down’s syndrome see the world around them, and how they want the world to see them,” says the association
The 2025 contest included a new prize, the Langdon Down Award for UK entrants, named after John Langdon Down, the physician whose work led to the World Health Organization using his name to formally classify Down syndrome in 1965.
Photographer Rory Langdon-Down judged the newly created category named after his great-great grandfather.
He said: “My Perspective is the perfect name for this competition as the photographs shortlisted are a personal representation of each photographer across still life, portraiture, landscape, wildlife and street photography and I truly believe could not have been made by anyone else.”
The Stephen Thomas award honours the life of past My Perspective winner Stephen Thomas, a talented photographer who died in a boat accident with his father in 2015.
Each year, his mother Julie and brother Paul select their favourite photograph from among the overseas competitors.
2025 winners
Judges’ Choice Award (adult)
After the Rain, by Brieuc Devaud, France
He says: “Photography is an activity I shared with my father during the Covid lockdown. All the people I show my photos to like them, and that makes me happy”
Judges’ Choice Award (child)
Say Cheese, by Beatrice Lawson, UK
Four-year-old Bea loves capturing selfies, often giving the camera what her mum Lucy calls a “cheesy grin”. Her joyful, unselfconscious self-portrait made her the youngest ever winner
People’s Choice Award, chosen by members of the public (adult)
The Different Colours, by Enoch Tan, Singapore
Tan’s love of photography began when he found he could use phone images to make it easier to communicate with his parents and the wider world. The contrasting colours of the walls appealed to him and he asked friends to pose to add to the composition
People’s Choice Award, chosen by members of the public (child)
My Happy Mummy, by Mabel Hetherington, Northern Ireland
Eight-year-old Mabel captured her mum Elaine’s smiling, windswept face on a sunny day on Rossnowlagh beach because, she says, “the beach is our favourite happy place”
Langdon Down Award for UK entries
Godrevy Lighthouse, by Stephen Lucas from Wales
Lucas’s Cornish seascape, taken while he was on holiday, reflects his love of nature and the sea, and his fascination with lighthouses
Stephen Thomas Award for international entries
Ladybird on a Sunflower, by Samuel Chapman, Australia
Chapman was inspired to take the photo because he says yellow is a “happy colour” and thought the ladybird looked wonderful against the vivid yellow of the sunflower
