The AMB Photo Awards presented by Shimano is back for 2025 after a successful year in 2024 which saw a high number of entries, particularly from young photographers.
This year, the competition is open to entrants from Australia and New Zealand only, but the subject matter of the photos can be from anywhere in the world. The youth category remains for those under 20 during the competition period. Entrants can submit one image in any of the categories, and the winner will be chosen by public vote from a shortlist selected by the judges.
There are four main categories, each with a first, second, and third place, as voted by readers on a microsite from a shortlist put together by a judging panel. The 2025 Photographer of the Year will be selected by a judging panel including pro photographer Gerard Lagana, 2024 AMB Photographer of the Year Matt Rousu, and editor Anna Beck. This is awarded to the photographer with the most complete portfolio.
For 2025 again is a social media video category. Videos must be raw, under 60 seconds, have no music, and be optimised for social media. The videos should capture the fun of riding and the natural environment. They will be judged by the panel and uploaded to AMB's social media accounts.
This category is all about the raw speed, the full-send commitment, and the unbeatable stoke that comes with gravity-fueled riding. Downhill, dual slalom, enduro, freeride, dirt jumping, high-speed trail slashing, and those sketchy push runs—we want to see it all. Show us the grit, the flow, the breathtaking landscapes, and the sheer determination that comes with riding the fall line. Whether it’s a banger shot from your local enduro, a World Cup moment, or your buddy absolutely sending it down a gnarly chute, we’re looking for high-impact images that capture the essence of gravity riding—framed and composed to perfection.
The endurance side of mountain biking has evolved, and the Full Gas category is here to celebrate the heart and soul of it. Whether it’s the lung-busting grind of a club XC race, an all-day epic into the backcountry, the intensity of XCO World Cup action, a marathon sufferfest, or the relentless push of a stage race – we want to see what XC means to you. Show us the grit, the bar-to-bar battles, the technical features, and the landscapes that make XC riding so raw and real. We’re looking for images that tell a story, capture the essence of XC, and bring the race, the effort, and the adventure to life – with flawless composition and framing that make every detail count.
Far beyond the stacked loops and well-worn trails, adventure is limitless. A bike isn’t just a tool – it’s a ticket to the wild, a way to chase the horizon and disappear into the unknown. This category is all about the places your bike can take you, whether it be an epic bikepack or day exploring lesser-known gravel roads. Show us the vast nothingness of the outback, the razor-thin ridgelines that stretch forever, the remote, untamed landscapes where the only sound is your tires crunching over dirt. A winning shot will pull us into the moment, making us feel the scale, the solitude, and the sheer commitment it takes to be out there. Composition and framing matter, but above all, we want to be inspired. We want to see a photo that sparks something deep inside—a photo that makes us want to load up the bags, point the wheels into the unknown, and just ride.
This category is all about the breathtaking perspective of landscapes—the vastness of the outback, the sinuous trails slicing through the earth, the lone rider dwarfed by mountains, deserts, or endless forests. We want to see creativity and scale, whether it be via traditional photography or drone. Whether it’s a top-down view of a winding singletrack, a peloton carving through gravel roads, or a solo adventurer lost in the wild, a winning shot will make us stop, stare, and feel the pull of the ride. As always, composition and framing are key—but most of all, we want images that redefine how we see riding from above and beyond.
Editor of AMB and lover of adventure, Anna will be looking for entries that capture the essence of the categories. With a lifelong love of the arts, she will be able to discern what entries have that ‘wow’ factor needed to make it as a finalist of part of the Photographer of the Year’s portfolio.
Brisbane Based photographer, Gerard is behind the scenes at many AMB shoots. ‘G’ as he is affectionately known in the office, has an eye for detail and perfection that ensures his work is of such a high quality, and he will bring that same discerning taste to the 2025 judging panel.
Matt Rousu was the 2024 AMB Photographer of the Year, and is at home behind the lens at a local Mt Beauty DH race as he is behind the bunting at a Canadian World Cup event. Rousu has a long pedigree of shooting in Australia, and makes it his business to explore new and left-field ideas in the search of the perfect photo.
Yes you can. You can enter each category as many times as you like. You can also submit multiple portfolios for the AMB Photographer of The Year, but we would recommend picking your best shot in each category to form a single portfolio - the perfect mix will do best.
Visit the Entry page and upload a shot in each of the 4 categories, along with a title and caption for each image. At the bottom of the page there will then be a tick box available to also submit these four shots as a portfolio entry for the AMB Photographer of the Year. Make sure this box is selected before you click ‘Submit My Entry’.
AMB Magazine staff will review all entries and select 12 finalists for each category. The 12 finalists for each category will then be displayed on our micro site https://photoawards.ambmaq.com.au and the public will be able to vote on the best image in each category between 22nd July - 4th August 2024. The winning image will be the one that receives the most votes.
Our panel of nominated judges will review all entries and select the winner & finalists of the Photographer of the Year category. The winner will be deemed as the photographer who has shown the highest degree of technical and creative ability across the four different categories.
You'll be required to select whether you want to be considered for this category when uploading an image. You need to be under 20 at the end of the competition on 4th August 2024.
We make a shortlist with our judging panel, and the winner is via public voting.
You will be notified via email if you are a finalist for any category.
You will be notified via email if you are the winner of any category.
14th July 2024.
No, but preference will be given to images shot in 2023/2024 and within the last 12 months, and to images we haven't seen before. Get out and get creative.
If your image made a category shortlist or won a category last year, it will not be reconsidered for this year’s awards. You may re-submit images which were not shortlisted last year if you feel it is particularly relevant to one of the new categories for 2024, but preference will be given to new entries.
For best results, upload highest-quality JPEGs, with the longest side at a minimum of 1600 pixels. Maximum size is 2Mb.
For best results, upload highest-quality JPEGs, sized a minimum of 1600 pixels on the longest side. Maximum size is 2Mb. Note that finalists and winners will be called upon to submit high-resolution & raw versions of shots if required.
Watermarked images won't be approved.
No you can’t. If you are a winner you may need to supply RAW files.
Basic image editing and colour corrections are allowed, i.e. brightness, contrast, sharpening, mood and temperature balance.
No, you won’t be disqualified, but your image will be judged according to the entered category’s guidelines.
Yes, they can. As long as they are not permanent staff of Australian Mountain Bike, Adventure Entertainment or any supporting businesses, any photographer from Australia or New Zealand can enter.