The Motif Collective Sep 2025 Winners

Triangle I BY Monika Maroziene

Our First Place Winner was submitted by
Monika Maroziene from Klaipeda, Lithuania

Monika Maroziene is a Lithuanian born visual artist whose work explores the intersection of chemistry and photography. With a master’s degree in chemistry, she brings a unique experimental approach to her art by using natural pine tree resin on black and white prints. This technique not only adds warmth and texture but also preserves the photographs, echoing the natural beauty of her homeland near the Amber Coast.

Her series Amber Coast reflects her deep connection to the Curonian Spit and the Baltic landscape, portraying women as complex, poetic, and powerful figures. Monika’s imagery is known for its emotional depth, poetic irony, and minimalist aesthetic, often exploring themes of solitude, memory, and personal freedom.

Her work has received numerous international awards, including 1st Place at the Monochrome Photography Awards and Tokyo International Foto Awards. She has exhibited across Europe, including solo and group shows in Switzerland, Italy, and France.

Visit more of Monika's amazing work online at:
https://www.monikamaroziene.com/en/projects/amber

Conflicted BY Kylo-Patrick Hart

Our Second Place Winner was submitted by
Kylo-Patrick Hart from Aledo, Texas

Kylo-Patrick Hart is an award-winning photographer (Budapest International Foto Awards, European Photography Awards, Global Photography Awards, Golden Shot International Photography Awards, London Photography Awards, Pollux Awards, Tokyo International Foto Awards, etc.) and chair of the Department of Film, Television and Digital Media at Texas Christian University (Fort Worth, Texas, USA). He received his formal training in digital media arts while a student at the University of Michigan and Wayne State University, with additional instruction provided by offerings of the Maine Media Workshops and Santa Fe Workshops. His photographs have been exhibited in numerous cities throughout the United States and in several countries abroad.

Visit more of Kylo-Patrick's amazing work online at:
https://www.kylohart.com

Wayup BY Marcel van Balken

Our Third Place Winner was submitted by
Marcel Van Balken from Vinkeveen, Netherlands

Marcel van Balken (MFIAP EFIAP/d3 MPSA) is a self-taught photographer from the Netherlands. As a photographer he is interested in specific themes and conceptual photography.

Visit more of Marcel's amazing work online at:
www.photure.nl

Spidsen (the Tip) BY Per Wilms

Our Honorable Mention Winner was submitted by
Per Wilms from Frederiksberg, Denmark

Is it a microorganism or a piece of modern art? One can´t tell until spotting the umbrella in the window, breaking the symmetry. Then you realize it's building.
It's a round office building in Copenhagen´s Nordhavn (northern harbour), standing 60 meters tall, called "Spidsen" (the tip).

Theme Shortlist

Below are the amazing images that shortlisted into the top tier of this themes competition. A big congratulations to all the talented photographers that participated!