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 Jacquie Matechuk did at the World Photographic Cup awards ceremony on April 25th in Reykjavik, Iceland where she earned 9th place for her wildlife image. Jacquie was part of a talented group of Canadian photographers that travelled to Iceland to attend the WPC ceremony in person. Canadian cheers echoed through the auditorium, high-fives were exchanged, and flags flew in shared jubilation as Team Canada’s images received 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 this year’s World Photographic Cup competition.
“Seeing the individual creativity of Canadian photographic artists unite beneath a single flag is a powerful reminder that our strength lies in diversity, not in competition.”
2026 9th Place / Jacquie Matechuk
Jacquie brings all her experiences together with one purpose: to leverage her craft and her platform to educate and advocate for the places, people and wildlife striving to co-exist. As a returning member of Team Canada, she continues to inspire, collaborate and raise the flag of Canadian photographic excellence on the world stage.
“Beneath the dense canopy of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a young silverback (second in command), watched in silence as fractured light cuts through the foliage to reveal his family resting nearby. His gaze carried the weight of guardianship, steady and deliberate, yet filled with the quiet curiosity of youth. In that moment, I was reminded that true power in the wild is not measured by dominance or display, but by presence—the still, unwavering awareness of one who protects more than he possesses. Beneath his calm exterior was a consciousness that seemed to bridge our worlds, a reminder that we are not separate observers of nature, but participants within it. ‘The Watchman’ stands as a reflection of that truth—a portrait of leadership born not of force, but of grace, guardianship, and the silent courage to thoughtfully bear witness.”
