Norway – April 2025
“I’m incredibly proud and humbled to announce that I placed 5th overall across all categories at the 2025 Norwegian Professional Photography Awards. I was also awarded First Place in both the Fine Art (Åpen klasse) and Nature categories — a tremendous honor among so much inspiring work.
In addition to these awards, I received the Gold Medal with Wreath, a distinction given to photographers who have demonstrated consistent excellence over time. I was also presented with multiple certificates and two trophies, recognizing my continued contributions to the photographic arts.
This recognition is deeply meaningful to me. Photography has never been just a profession — it’s a lifelong creative pursuit and a way of expressing the things I find most powerful and moving. These awards are both a milestone and a motivator as I continue to develop and refine my artistic voice.
My work is centered on emotional depth, the interplay of light, and capturing the sublime in both nature and concept-driven subjects. I’m honored to have my work recognized on both national and international stages, and I’m excited for what lies ahead.
A heartfelt thank you to the jury for their time, care, and dedication — and congratulations to all the other talented photographers who were recognized in this year’s competition. It’s an honor to stand alongside so many visionary artists.”
“Desert Melodies”
Nature Photograph of the Year
Norwegian Professional Photography Awards 2025
“Time Continuity”
Fine Art Photograph of the Year
Norwegian Professional Photography Awards 2025
LANDSKONKURRANSEN
Norway’s Most Prestigious Photography Competition
A LEGACY SINCE 1927
The story of Landskonkurransen began nearly a century ago, when the Norwegian Association of Photographers (Norske Fotografers Landsforening) held its first national prize competition — with just one category and six participants.
Since those humble beginnings,, the competition has evolved dramatically — in both scale, scope, and reputation — and is now the most celebrated and respected photography awards in Norway.
Each year, the photographer with the highest cumulative score from their four top-ranked images is awarded the coveted title of Photographer of the Year – NFF. The student or apprentice with the highest score receives the honor of Student/Apprentice of the Year.
In every category, the image with the highest individual score is named Category Winner.
Beyond these titles, images are also awarded medals reflecting their artistic and technical excellence — with distinctions in Gold, Silver, and Bronze quality. Each medal contributes to a long-term score, and once a photographer accumulates 100 competition points, they are awarded the Gold Medal with Wreath — the highest distinction awarded by the Norwegian Photographers’ Association — an honor reserved for those who have demonstrated unwavering excellence and artistic mastery over time.
The competition is organized by the Norwegian Photographers’ Association (Norges Fotografforbund). Submissions typically open in December or January, with the award ceremony taking place at the association’s annual National Convention or the signature photography event, FOKUS.
A PATH TO THE WORLD STAGE
The awarded images from Landskonkurransen form the foundation of Norway’s national photography team — selected to represent the country in the World Photographic Cup, the global championship of photography.
This is where national talent meets international acclaim, and Norwegian voices in photography are seen, celebrated, and honored on the world stage.
Selected winning works from Landskonkurransen go on to represent Norway on the global stage, forming part of the national team for the World Photographic Cup — the international championship of photography.
World Photographic Cup Website ->
THE JURY OF LANDSKONKURRANSEN 2025
For nearly a century, Landskonkurransen has upheld the highest standards in Norwegian photography, and at the heart of this tradition stands a jury composed of the most accomplished and respected names in the industry.
Each year, a new panel is carefully assembled to ensure fresh perspectives, contemporary insight, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. For 2025, the jury brings together award-winning photographers, fine art visionaries, industry innovators, and seasoned judges — each selected by exclusive invitation for their expertise, influence, and contribution to the photographic arts.
By uniting the finest talents across different fields of photography, Landskonkurransen ensures that every submission is evaluated with depth, passion, and a deep understanding of both timeless craftsmanship and emerging trends. It is through this dedication to excellence that the competition continues to honor and elevate the very best in Norwegian photography.
Eir-Jørgen Bue (Head of Jury)
For nearly 30 years, Eir-Jørgen Bue has been a dedicated and passionate photographer. He has earned the prestigious title of Photographer of the Year – NFF and has been awarded the Gold Medal with Wreath, recognizing his sustained excellence in the field.
Eir-Jørgen is not only an accomplished photographer but also an experienced juror. He has served on the jury for Landskonkurransen twice and once for the Swedish National Championships (SM), in addition to several years of service on the Apprenticeship Examination Board in Trøndelag.
Throughout his career, he has explored nearly every facet of photography — from commissioned work to personal creative projects — and remains as curious and eager to learn as ever.
Now, he looks forward to discovering the creativity and quality in this year’s submissions.
Erlend B. Enger
Erlend B. Enger began exploring photography as a hobby in the mid-1980s and has worked professionally for over 30 years, primarily in portrait and corporate photography. Today, he co-runs Fotograf Eidsmo in Melhus together with Beate.
Erlend has received numerous awards, including the Gold Medal with Wreath and QEP distinction, and has served as both a jury member and speaker at events in Norway and internationally.
Alongside his commercial work, Erlend remains committed to personal creative projects and has held several solo exhibitions — staying true to the passion that first drew him into photography. For him, anything can become a compelling subject, as long as it offers the opportunity to create something interesting through the lens.
Helle Navratil
With over 20 years of experience in photography and post-production, Helle Navratil is a seasoned creator with deep expertise in Photoshop and visual storytelling. She holds a degree from the Norwegian School of Photography (2010) and also has a background in marketing and graphic design.
As the founder and creative lead of Studio Gaffa, Helle brings together photography, set design, and film production to craft bold and imaginative visual projects. She is particularly known for her colorful and creative portraits, and her work spans from commercial studio shoots and product photography to documenting art exhibitions and cultural events.
Based in Stavanger, Helle is also a dedicated educator, regularly holding workshops and lectures on photography, creativity, and social media. She collaborates with both local and national partners to create visually engaging stories.
Hege Mathisen
Hege Mathisen’s passion for photography began in her teenage years, and she now has over 30 years of professional experience. She earned both her journeyman’s and master’s certificates in the 1990s and is celebrating 25 years as the owner of Fag-fotostudio in Larvik.
Hege specializes in portrait photography, ranging from children and couples to corporate groups and extended families. She has a special affinity for black-and-white portraits of children — a genre that recently earned her the QEP title from the Federation of European Photographers.
In addition to her work as a photographer, Hege is an active contributor to the photographic community as a judge. She has completed the Norwegian Photographers’ Association’s official judging course, previously served on the Landskonkurransen jury, and has been a member of the local guild jury for over a decade.
She now looks forward to experiencing the creativity and quality in this year’s Landskonkurransen.
Ole Marius Jørgensen
Ole Marius began his career studying film for two years before transitioning into photography, where fine art became his focus. He made his solo debut at Galleri Ramfjord in 2009, and has since been represented by galleries in both the U.S. and Europe, including Galleri FineArt in Oslo.
His cinematic style is widely recognized, and in recent years, the influence of classical painting techniques has become increasingly evident in his photographic work.
Ole Marius Jørgensen Website ->
Christin Eide
Educated as both a graphic designer and photographer, Christin established her first studio on the historic Bryggen in Bergen in 2008. Over the years, she has gained widespread recognition as an elopement photographer both in Norway and abroad, earning numerous awards for her work.
She has been named Photographer of the Year in both the Norwegian Photographers’ Association and the Bergen Guild of Photographers, and has achieved the Gold Medal with Wreath alongside multiple category wins.
Specializing in mountainous elopements, Christin spends much of the season with hiking boots on her feet and majestic landscapes in her viewfinder. By combining her love for nature and bridal portraiture, she has carved out a niche that continues to grow in popularity within the wedding industry.
Jens Haugen
Jens Haugen is an acclaimed photographer, director, creative director, and partner at ANTI Hamar. With a remarkable career in the communication and creative industries, he holds a unique position as the only photographer in Norway to have won the title of Photographer of the Year in the NFF competition four years in a row.
In 2013, Fotografi magazine’s Morten Løberg noted that Haugen’s consistent dominance in such a prestigious competition — both nationally and internationally — is a rare achievement in the world of photography.
SOURCE: Landskonkurransen