World Photographic Cup / Best of Nation Award & Top 10
Like the Olympics, with nations from around the globe participating, the World Photographic Cup is far from a typical photo competition; it’s a prestigious event that celebrates the art of photography on a global stage. In this unique format, photographers from 28 nations around the world compete not only as individuals but as a cohesive team representing their country.
Canada’s submitted images demonstrated the remarkable skill and artistry of our country’s photographers and highlighted the team’s dedication to excellence and their ambition to shine on the world stage. Each Top 10 recognition serves as a testament to their collective talent and hard work, fostering a strong sense of unity and national pride as they cheered on their teammates’ success.
All Top 10 finalists are now heading to Reykjavik, Iceland this April to represent Canada at the WPC Awards Ceremony. Their image is in the running for individual Gold, Silver, or Bronze medals and depending on their final ranking, these images have the chance to help Team Canada win the World Photographic Cup!
“I am excited and honoured to be representing Canada on the world stage. Standing together as a team with extraordinarily talented photographers, each of us bringing our own vision and voice, is both humbling and powerful. It is about shared effort, shared pride, and carrying our country into the global conversation of photography.”
2026 Best of Nation & World Top 10 / Michelle Valberg
Michelle Valberg, C.M., is an acclaimed Canadian wildlife photographer and Nikon Ambassador whose images reveal the profound connection between nature and humanity.
As Best of Nation winner this image is the top scoring Canadian image in the competition. Image story: An intimate capture of a mother polar bear and her cub, standing on the stark volcanic rock of Scoresby Sound in Greenland. They pause, noses lifted, catching the scent of another female who has wandered into their territory. The deep contrast between the bears’ white fur and the dark basalt creates a powerful visual tension, a story of survival, instinct, and tenderness unfolding against one of the most dramatic landscapes on Earth.
