The cameras in our iPhones are great, but it's easy to forget they can be this good. It's all in the photographer, and the winners of this year's iPhone Photography Awards prove it. For 12 years in a row, the IPPAWARDS have honored some of the most talented iPhone photographers all over the world, and yes, every photo was really shot on a handheld mobile device just like yours. Thousands of images were submitted by photographers from more than 140 countries, and the winners captured truly breathtaking stills.
"Each winner represents photography styles from travel, portraits, lifestyle, architecture, still life, and more, offering a window into the world," Apple said in a press release announcing the list of more than 70 winners. The following photos were taken on a range of phones, from the iPhone 6 to the iPhone X, which is pretty incredible. Take a look at the stunning photos that made the cut, along with the accompanying descriptions submitted by the artists, and you'll be inspired to up your own camera-roll game.
From the photographer: "Last year I spent a month in Wasa, Tanzania, teaching a class of young, curious, and amazing guys. Before heading back to Italy we stopped in Zanzibar, where this photo was taken. I still wonder how could I capture that exact moment in all its beauty. I was just observing, a few meters from them, but they were probably more curious about me than I was about them, and that's probably why the girl was looking at me."
1 / 71
Sea Stripes
Image Source: Diogo Lage
Location: Santa Rita Beach, Portugal
From the photographer: "Sea Stripes was taken in Santa Rita Beach, Portugal, where the striped beach tents are very typical and set the tone of the well organized and summery little villages. Playing along with this beachy mood, a bather in the distance embodies the spirit in a striped shirt."
2 / 71
Sorry, No Movie Today
Image Source: Yuliya Ibraeva
Location: Rome
From the photographer: "It was a hot Summer day in Rome, Italy; even the asphalt was melting. We decided to escape from the city center to see the ancient trees of the Borghese Gardens and watch an Italian movie, but when we arrived the pouring rain began. We didn't see the film, but I took wonderful pictures. It was great travel moment I'll never want to forget."
3 / 71
Come Across
Image Source: Peng Hao
Location: Nevada
From the photographer: "I took this photo in the desert in Nevada, USA, at the Burning Man festival. I stood on a bridge and saw two people lost in a sandstorm, but after a while, something very special came along: a huge silver ball."
4 / 71
The Light Beam
Image Source: Jiangying Guo
Location: Mexico City
From the photographer: "A beam of sunlight shined on a swimming pool at 9:32 a.m. when I was visiting the house designed by Luis Barragán."
5 / 71
Looking Up
Image Source: JuliAnne Kaplan
Location: San Francisco
From the photographer: "Looking up at the corner of Laguna and Hayes Streets, San Francisco. The midday sun casts an engaging abstract pattern of geometric shadows onto the quirky facade."
6 / 71
Salve
Image Source: Samantha Byrd
Location: Minneapolis
From the photographer: "From the wrong angle, it looked chaotic, like someone had hung string frivolously. But from straight on, it was perfect. Serene and calming."
7 / 71
The Proud Peacock
Image Source: Diogo Lage
Location: Porto, Portugal
From the photographer: "What made me take this photo was the unexpected balance of the composition that reinforces the sense of pride, place, and charisma of this peacock. In this public garden, seeing these wild peacocks is one of the most exquisite experiences people can have. They are truly the lords of the garden. "
8 / 71
Owl
Image Source: Yoichi Sato
Location: Kisarazu, Japan
9 / 71
Who's Watching?
Image Source: Deena Berton
Location: The Bahamas
From the photographer: "I was captivated by the giant fish tanks at a resort in the Bahamas where the fish seemed to be observing people, mirroring the people observing the fish."
10 / 71
Janta Manta Observatory
Image Source: Kuanglong Zhang
Location: Jaipur, India
From the photographer: "Janta Manta Observatory is very sci-fi looking. I captured the flying pigeon with the building to give the photo a dynamic feeling."
11 / 71
Palm Springs Palm
Image Source: Sallyann Field
Location: Palm Springs, CA
From the photographer: "I can't get enough of the mid-century modern architecture in Palm Springs, CA. This building is one of my favorites and I happened to be driving by midday when the intense light, color, and shadow caught my eye. The building does not have a bad angle, but for me it was the palm tree that made the composition complete."
12 / 71
Here I Come
Image Source: Shuo Chen
Location: Xiamen City, Fujian
From the photographer: "This image was taken in the Xiamen international shipping center. I was trying to create a futuristic battle scene of Star Wars (I'm a huge Star Wars fan). When a friend told me about this location, I thought it would be very good to shoot something like this with a lightsaber and two characters fighting. The lighting that afternoon was great, and we waited for the best natural light of the sun to light up the place."
13 / 71
Jasper the Raptor
Image Source: Neri Rivas
Location: Los Angeles
From the photographer: "This photo was taken outside a supermarket in Los Angeles. My son Jasper wore a raptor mask and a Dodgers hat, and we made up a story about Jasper the Raptor, a dinosaur boy who was hungry and went to the grocery store."
14 / 71
Look, Dad!
Image Source: Kirill Voynovskiy
Location: St. Petersburg, Russia
From the photographer: "This is my daughter Olivia."
15 / 71
Untitled
Image Source: David Booker
Location: Peak Rail, Derbyshire
From the photographer: "My two-year-old son, Gabriel, totally captivated by his first experience of traveling by steam train."
16 / 71
Cactus Under the Scorching Sun
Image Source: Dan Liu
Location: Joshua Tree National Park
From the photographer: "In Joshua Tree National Park in the United States, there is a valley called the Cholla Cactus Garden, which is covered by a large number of Teddy-Bear Chollas. This species of Cholla grows freely under the scorching sun, unafraid of the heat and dryness."
17 / 71
Agave
Image Source: Ted Silveira
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
From the photographer: "I've taken quite a few photos of this agave plant, which is tucked away in the corner of a courtyard in downtown Santa Cruz, and every time I walk by it, I take another. The closeup view, especially in black and white, seems to draw out a part of the agave's beauty that's easy to miss in real life when it's surrounded by flowers and sidewalks and benches."
18 / 71
Flowers in the Dark
Image Source: Chuangcheng Jin
Location: Shenzhen, China
From the photographer: "During a trip to Shenzhen, China, I was captivated by these volcanic rock steps hidden in a secluded corner, embraced by strikingly red flowers on both sides."
19 / 71
Petra Wadi
Image Source: Hsueh Isan
Location: Umm Sayhoun, Jordan
From the photographer: "An unexpected scene on the road to Petra."
20 / 71
Palo Duro Canyon
Image Source: Erik Burdett
Location: Canyon, TX
From the photographer: "The photo was taken on one of my many hikes in Palo Duro Canyon State Park."
21 / 71
Frozen Lake Baikal
Image Source: Guoxi Chen
Location: Lake Baikal, Russia
From the photographer: "Lake Baikal is frozen for thousands of miles in Winter. Because of the ice, people can walk on the lake. On a snowy morning, I took a picture of Lake Baikal, using the lead wire on the ice as the foreground."
22 / 71
Fishing
Image Source: Biao Peng
Location: Wuhan, Hubei, China
From the photographer: "A man fishing by the lake. It feels like it came out of the movie called The Grand Budapest Hotel, and I wrote a poem at the time."
23 / 71
Hanging to Dry
Image Source: Lenny Yeung
Location: Hongkou, Shanghai
24 / 71
In His Memory
Image Source: Hleb Drazdou
Location: Bobruysk, Belarus
From the photographer: "This is the former room of my grandfather in my grandparents' house in Bobruysk, Belarus. Now he is dead and my grandmother has decorated it in his memory in a typical old soviet rural style, which used to be chic and gorgeous when she was a child in the poor countryside after WWII. Nowadays we don't have such interiors in our houses, and it is a kind of museum of those times."
25 / 71
The Womb
Image Source: HueiJiuan Wang
Location: Iceland
From the photographer: "It was dark, humid, and quiet inside the ice cave. I was climbing up step by step toward the light. The moment brought me to the scene as a newborn inside the womb of nature, ready to embrace the outside world."
26 / 71
Annapurna
Image Source: Xiao Lin
Location: Kaski, Nepal
From the photographer: "The picture is of Annapurna mountain in the Himalayans where I was walking the ABC trail. The view was so amazing, I will never forget it."
27 / 71
Waves
Image Source: Yingya Liu
Location: China Sea
28 / 71
Fire Dragon
Image Source: Lianyu Lu
Location: Meizhou, China
From the photographer: "This photo was taken at the Lantern Festival in Buzhai Town. It is the tradition of this small southern town to hold a dragon dance performance for Lantern Festival that dates back to the Qing Dynasty. It is a spectacular scene with the fire dragon being lifted by more than 30 adults while it dances and fireworks are set off from its body. Thousands of people came to watch the event and to pray for their family to be safe and healthy for the New Year."
29 / 71
When the Curtain Falls
Image Source: Yanan Li
Location: Aleppo, Syria
From the photographer: "This photo was taken in an abandoned house in Aleppo, Syria. In the Syrian civil war, almost the entire city of Aleppo became a ruin of war and there was hardly a building left intact. In January 2018, I walked into many rooms in the ruins. I found that lives were abruptly stopped by the war, and many rooms still retained the pre-war look."
30 / 71
Wedding Prayer
Image Source: Gabriel Ribeiro
Location: Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul
From the photographer: "I photographed this wedding with my father in Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul. During the religious ceremony, each person kneels to hold a prayer with all present for the purpose of blessing the wedding."
31 / 71
Sky Scaffolding
Image Source: Sari Sutton
Location: Busan, South Korea
32 / 71
Hang On
Image Source: Dyllon Wolf
Location: Maryland
From the photographer: "We received a large package with an absurd amount of this brown packing paper, and my younger brother and I decided to get creative with it."
33 / 71
The Wait
Image Source: Caren Drysdale
Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
From the photographer: "I shot this photo in a local restaurant. I was captivated by the beautiful woman seated at the table across from us. She was preparing to leave, and her table was cluttered with dirty dishes, but I focused on the bright, shimmering fabric and the shiny gold sandals she was wearing."
34 / 71
Segla Mountains at Sunrise
Image Source: Vincent Chen
Location: Senja Island, Norway
From the photographer: "Segla Mountain is a very identifiable mountain on the northern part of Senja Island. From Segla's top I saw the amazing landscape of a narrow mountainous peninsula surrounded by two spectacular fjords. They looked really beautiful at sunrise."
35 / 71
Monument
Image Source: Garrine Tsang
Location: Monument Valley, AZ
From the photographer: "View from Artist's Point in Monument Valley, where the ground falls away steeply and the flat land stretches ahead for many miles, punctuated by the peaks of buttes, mesas, and pinnacles in distance."
36 / 71
Matera Magic
Image Source: Jessica Macagnano
Location: Matera, Italy
From the photographer: "Walking the streets of this magical city, it's so difficult to actually capture the spirit of the town. There are corners of quiet solitude where you find hidden gems, such as an abandoned 1,000-year old-cave abode, and there are bustling streets in the city center with scooters buzzing by on business, and the fresh smell of Italian coffee."
37 / 71
Untitled
Image Source: Wei Xiong
Location: China
38 / 71
Dominoes in Havana
Image Source: Christine L Mace
Location: Cuba
From the photographer: "Dominoes in Havana was captured at the Solar de Aguilar in Havana, Cuba. The building is a mere memory of what it once was, from the wrought iron curving around the grand stair case at the entrance of the building to the non-functioning fountain in the courtyard. Six families occupy the Solar de Aguilar and every afternoon the residents gather in front of the grand staircase to play dominoes. On this particular afternoon, I captured these four neighbors engaged in a friendly game."
39 / 71
At the Lake
Image Source: Valeria Cammareri
Location: Lake Maggiore, Italy
From the photographer: "I live in Milan, and during the weekend, I often go back to the lake to spend time with my parents. One of my favorite things to do is to take the ferry boat across the lake with no definite destination. I spend hours going back and forth with the sole purpose of observing passengers. People look captivated by the beauty of the landscape."
40 / 71
A Future Eagle Hunter
Image Source: Mona Jumaan
Location: Bayan Ulgi, Mongolia
From the photographer: "In Bayan Ulgi province in western Mongolia, eagle hunting is a tradition passed across generations. Boys start their training as early as 11 years old, and little Bakha is no exception as he makes his entrance into the world of eagle hunting with his prized falcon."
41 / 71
Little Beekeeper
Image Source: Christian Horgan
Location: Margaret River, Western Australia
From the photographer: "I take my nephew Eden on 'Photo Safaris,' where we only shoot with our iPhones. Our trophies are the images we capture. My mum has a couple of bee hives in Margaret River, Western Australia, and I thought they'd make for an exciting safari. As we dressed for this adventure I decided to take a portrait of Eden in his 'photo safari suit.'"
42 / 71
Who Is the Boss?
Image Source: Magali-Chesnel
Location: Gruissan, France
From the photographer: "One of my favorite moments, perched on the tummy of my master. I have to confess, the view is awesome!! This cushion makes me feel secure. I can also warn other dogs and protect my master. Yeeaah! Who's the boss?! I belong to him and he belongs to me."
43 / 71
Series: Young Survivors
Image Source: Carol Allen Storey
Location: Kasese, Uganda
From the photographer: "These intimate portraits focus on how adolescents cope with being HIV positive. Amidst these chilling narratives, extraordinary stories of hope and glimpses of heroism in their quest to pursue their dreams emerged."
44 / 71
Roney
Image Source: Carol Allen Storey
Location: Kasese, Uganda
From the subject: "When I grow up I plan to be a pilot, so I can travel the world and see other countries."
45 / 71
Gloria
Image Source: Carol Allen Storey
Location: Kasese, Uganda
From the subject: "When I grow up I want to be a lawyer who prosecutes criminal people. Many people are forced off their land and are left homeless."
46 / 71
Series: Young Survivors
Image Source: Carol Allen Storey
Location: Kasese, Uganda
47 / 71
Series: Young Survivors
Image Source: Carol Allen Storey
Location: Kasese, Uganda
48 / 71
Series: Young Survivors
Image Source: Carol Allen Storey
Location: Kasese, Uganda
49 / 71
Series: Young Survivors
Image Source: Carol Allen Storey
Location: Kasese, Uganda
50 / 71
Series: Young Survivors
Image Source: Carol Allen Storey
Location: Kasese, Uganda
51 / 71
Series: Young Survivors
Image Source: Carol Allen Storey
Location: Kasese, Uganda
52 / 71
Series: Young Survivors
Image Source: Carol Allen Storey
Location: Kasese, Uganda
53 / 71
Series: We Run, You Fly
Image Source: Dimpy Bhalotia
Location: Bombay, and Tamil Nadu, India
54 / 71
Series: We Run, You Fly
Image Source: Dimpy Bhalotia
Location: Bombay, and Tamil Nadu, India
55 / 71
Series: We Run, You Fly
Image Source: Dimpy Bhalotia
Location: Bombay, and Tamil Nadu, India
56 / 71
In the Wind
Image Source: Clarita Phiri Beierdoerffer
Location: Germany
From the photographer: "This photo is one of a series where I wanted to document moments where I felt particular emotions, and I took a picture whether I felt like it or not."
57 / 71
Green Breeze
Image Source: Daniel Kafalas
Location: Manhattan
58 / 71
The Absolute
Image Source: Elena Bolshakova
Location: Russia
From the photographer: "This is part of the 'Theater of Disappearance' exhibition by Adrián Villar Rojas in the NYC MoMA. The surreal nature of the exhibit was very inspiring. I spent a long time walking around the exhibit carefully observing details of each sculpture, trying to imagine what it would be like living in their characters. The sun was projecting hard shadows on the sculpture of banquet tables making various items that were placed on tables to appear simple and complete. I wanted to keep this moment in my memory for a long time."
59 / 71
Piercing the Sky
Image Source: Sreekumar Krishnan
Location: Bangalore, India
From the photographer: "The evening sky marred by some solitary clouds provided a perfect backdrop to this shot. This is the statue of Lord Ram, Hindu God, shot in the outskirts of Bangalore just before sunset."
60 / 71
Sunset on Baltic Sea
Image Source: Shirley Xu
Location: Baltic Sea
From the photographer: "While floating on the ice breaker, I saw this marvelous sunset on the Baltic Sea."
61 / 71
Penetrated Sunset
Image Source: Chuangcheng Jin
Location: Shantou, Guangdong
From the photographer: "This was taken by the river in my hometown of Shantou, China. The sunset passed through the leaves and reflected on the river, like a painting."
62 / 71
Lonely Boat
Image Source: Liu Bo
Location: Da Nang, Vietnam
From the photographer: "It was a cloudy day. I noticed a man with a small boat floating up and down in the sea when I was walking on the beach. Something occurred to me in that moment. I thought, I want to get closer, so I walked in until salty seawater flooded my chest. The man, the boat, and me. I felt a connection in that moment. People are so small between heaven and earth."
63 / 71
Tourists at the Dunes-Death Valley
Image Source: James Cowlin
Location: Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
From the photographer: "The photograph was taken at the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes near Stovepipe Wells in Death Valley National Park. A bus load of tourists had just arrived and people were walking out into the dunes. The bright light of midday accented the dunes and the colorful clothes of the tourists."
64 / 71
Palanquera
Image Source: Alfonso Ordosgoitia
Location: Cartagena, Colombia
From the photographer: "In this photo that I took in Cartagena, Colombia, I was exploring the contrast between the colonial architecture of the city next to a Palanquera: a Colombian touristic symbol that represents the group of runaway African slaves, now known for selling fruits on the streets with colorful dresses — a 'costume' that disguises the episodes of slavery caused by the Spanish colonization."
65 / 71
Snowshadow
Image Source: Christian Helwig
Location: Rugen, Baltic Sea
From the photographer: "This was taken on the island of Rügen, which is a German island in the Baltic Sea. The spot where I took the picture is on the northernmost coast of the island, close to the little village Schwarbe. There was a strong wind from the sea behind me with some snow, and the wind and the flakes produced this kind of 'shadow' on the 'lee' of the trees. Everything was very black and white, except the smaller, bush-like trees in the back that were a little brown."
66 / 71
Morning Mist
Image Source: Neil Bennett
Location: Puglia, Italy
From the photographer: "An early morning walk as the late Summer fog weaves its way through old olive trees in Puglia, Italy. As the sun rose I went for a walk through the olive grove, hunting for an early morning coffee in the photographer's golden hour."
67 / 71
The Last Secret of Jiangnan
Image Source: Zhang Xiaojun
Location: Songyang, China
From the photographer: "It was a forest around an old village. In the morning, magical plants crept out of the earth, the sky got brighter and brighter, the green leaves were a little transparent, and a new ray of sunlight was pouring into all the gaps."
68 / 71
Series: Ocean, Sand, Stone and Wind
Image Source: Larisa Baricheva
Location: Lobitos Beach, Peru
From the photographer: "I took these photos, and others, at Lobitos beach in Piura, the surfers' paradise in northern Peru. It is the place where the Peruvian desert reaches the Pacific Ocean. What you see in these photos are the results of the fusion of the works of sand, sea, stones, sun, and wind. It is the common work of art of these great masters of nature; that's how I see it. And it's as simple as it is mysterious."
