World Photographic Cup / Awards
The World Photographic Cup is a prestigious, Olympic-style event that celebrates the art of photography on a global stage. Canada joined photographers from 28 nations around the world to compete not only as individuals but as a cohesive team representing their country.
Photographers want to be top in the world, not just for personal glory but to hoist the Canadian flag. And that’s just what Andrew Hiorth did at the World Photographic Cup awards ceremony on April 25th in Reykjavik, Iceland where he earned not one but two top finishes – placing 6th and 7th. While Andrew could not attend the WPC ceremony in person, Canadian cheers still echoed through the auditorium and flags flew in shared jubilation as his name was called. In the end Canada earned one Gold medal, one Bronze medal and five Top 10 honours. Every victory makes a collective triumph for WPC Team Canada, which placed 6th in the World Photographic Cup competition.
“I’m inspired and deeply grateful to stand among such talented peers and to represent our nation on the world stage.”
6th Place / Andrew Hiorth
This wedding moment wasn’t planned. It wasn’t posed or staged. It unfolded in real time during the wedding. The couple was standing together, while life continued to move around them. As I was laying on the floor to get a reflection of the bride and groom, a young family walked by, and then another couple walked in shortly after. In that split second, I saw the entire story of a relationship… where love begins, where it stands today, and what it may grow into. I called out, ran over, and asked everyone to pause, I refined their spacing just enough to let the silhouettes speak for themselves. No one knew they were part of something bigger, they were simply living their moment, and I happened to see it unfold before my very eyes. Some say that this is a once in a lifetime moment; I believe the universe puts things in front of you, and you just need to be open enough and paying attention to see it.
7th Place / Andrew Hiorth
This piece is about letting go. Not in a dramatic way, but in the way we do when we finally stop trying to control every part of ourselves and our lives. The lifted arm, the open posture, the motion of the fabric — they all speak to a moment of release, of allowing the world to take shape without forcing it. There is freedom here, not because she escaped something, but because she stopped gripping so tightly. ‘Ascension’ is the quiet rise that happens when we trust ourselves enough to let things be.
