World Photographic Cup / 2 Images in the 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. Both of Andrew’s images are 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!
“Watching each category being announced; I had my fingers crossed, and seeing my images come up made my heart skip a beat! Seeing my teammates’ images come up was even more thrilling. I’m so proud of them. I know how much has gone into what they do, and seeing their work be recognized on a global scale was so exciting. I’m truly grateful to be a part of this team, and I’m so happy knowing that my work is in the finals. It feels like an incredible accomplishment.”
2026 World Top 10 / Andrew Hiorth
This 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.
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.
