ShutterFest 2025 Top Talent Competition

Published on June 12, 2025
Categories: Inspirations

This year was the fourth annual Top Talent Competition at ShutterFest 2025, and once again our models and photographers raised the bar! Check out the winner and 21 finalists (in alphabetical order by photographer) below. Congratulations to our winning photographers, James & Apryl Napier of Dimensions Photography, and model Syndey Webb, who is now a two-time winner!

P.S. All of these images were taken during hands-on classes, vendor demos, or after-hours shoots with our talented group of models! Come to ShutterFest and create something amazing yourself on April 7-9, 2026. Click here to get your tickets now!

THE PRIZES:

– $2000 cash prize for winning model
– $2000 cash prize for winning photographer
– Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 printer for the winning photographer
– Westcott FJ400 II Strobe 1-Light Backpack Kit for the winning photographer

First Place

Photographer: James & Apryl Napier – Dimensions Photography
Model: Sydney Webb

Why we loved it:

With over 28,000 images submitted this year, the level of talent was off the charts. But this shot stopped us in our tracks. The wardrobe and posing is deliberate, elegant and confident – every angle leads your eye right where it should go. That’s no accident. Then there’s the lighting. Just WOW. It’s sculpted, well-controlled and dramatic, amplifying the fashion and attitude. In the end, the impact and simplicity of this image combined with the impeccably executed details won us over.