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Sunbound

Photography shaped entirely by the sun (no other light source is accepted). This category honors images that rely solely on natural illumination to define mood, texture, and character. Show how ambient light alone can create depth, atmosphere, and striking visual storytelling.

Category Rules

  • Only images created with sunlight or naturally occurring ambient light is allowed. Artificial lights, candles, sparks, flares, flashes are prohibited.
  • Reflected or shaded sunlight using reflectors, bounces, shades is allowed. Moon light as a reflected light of sun is allowed.

Jury

The World of Gwendana

The World of Gwendana

Atlanta-based cosplay and fantasy photographer who is known for the use of natural light in creating cinematic imagery and storytelling.

Jury of Categories

Landscape, Sunbound

Alive Alf

Alive Alf

Los Angeles–based cosplay photographer and former cosplayer, specializing in cinematic lighting and character-driven storytelling to create immersive, authentic images that bring beloved series to life.

Jury of Categories

Landscape, Sunbound

Lievka

Lievka

German cosplay photographer and long-time cosplayer specializing in natural-light photography, creating atmospheric, film-like images with dynamic angles, dramatic contrast, and mood-driven visuals.

Jury of Categories

Narrative Sequence, Sunbound

BLACK SHEEP

BLACK SHEEP

A Tokyo-based photographer and visual storyteller specializing in cosplay and narrative imagery, blending cinematic composition, emotional realism, and character-centered worlds.

Jury of Categories

Narrative Sequence, Sunbound

Fai

Fai

Fai is a Mexico-based cosplay and editorial photographer specializing in atmospheric lighting, controlled studio techniques, and immersive fantasy worlds, with a strong artistic and technical foundation.

Sponsored by

Foto Koch

Foto Koch

Since 1920, Foto Koch has been a leading camera and photography equipment retailer serving photographers across Germany and Europe. They offer an extensive selection of professional camera equipment, lenses, and accessories from major manufacturers, along with expert advice, rental services, and photo printing solutions.

Instagram

@fotokochde

Prize

This goes to the winner of this category.

FOTO KOCH€500€500GIFT CARD

€500 Foto Koch gift card

Five hundred euros to spend on whatever you like, and Foto Koch have been supplying photographers out of Düsseldorf since 1920, so the shelf is seriously deep! Bodies, lenses, flashes, tripods, filters, bags, cards, drones, gimbals, it is all in there. Finally buy that lens you have been talking yourself out of all year, or blow the whole lot on ten small things that make every single shoot easier. They ship across Europe as standard and worldwide on request, there is a best price guarantee, and you get fourteen days to send anything back if you change your mind. This one is hard to beat!