Mobile Photography Awards
15th Annual MPA Grand Prize
We are pleased to name Kuanglong Zhang of Shenzhen City, China as the 15th Annual MPA Photographer of the Year & winner of the 2025 Mobile Photography Awards Grand Prize
A rare, electric energy courses through Mr. Zhang’s images, bringing each photograph vividly to life. The kind of energy that only comes when a technical master also possesses an instinct for the “decisive moment.” Whether it is the nearly surrealist use of a car hood to flip an urban landscape on its head or the sheer, explosive chaos of the fire-dragon festival, the work feels urgent & alive.
This is a showcase of a creator who navigates the rigid lines of architecture with precision yet displays the quick-silver instincts of a street documentarian, without ever losing his unique, artistic voice. This isn’t just technical proficiency; it is a keen, hungry eye that recognizes the fleeting harmony between movement and structure.
This dynamic street photograph is a visual meditation on the relationship between natural movement and urban stillness. The flock of birds, mid-flight above the riverbank, boats & people highlights a fleeting, organic moment. As in his other work, Kuanglong illustrates here how life constantly breathes evolving energy into our environments.
“…I’m a professional photographer and I also teach people in China how to take beautiful photos with their phones—I’ve had the privilege of working with many students along the way.”-Kuanglong Zhang
“…I’ve been passionate about mobile photography since 2014, and I’ve been creating with my phone ever since. It’s because of this passion—and the fact that I love helping others take great photos with their phones—that over time, I’ve continued to grow both technically and creatively.”-Kuanglong Zhang
In the portraits and candid studies, light doesn’t simply illuminate the subjects; it carves out the grit of flour on a baker’s workbench or it gently, diffuses the light to amplify the deeply expressive features of the children, evoking a sense of warmth and innocence. The light here is doing the heavy lifting — it doesn’t just “show” the subjects, it sculpts them.
“…What draws me to mobile photography is the incredible freedom it brings. I can head out the door without lugging around heavy gear, and capture those fleeting, beautiful moments as they happen.”-Kuanglong Zhang
“…Winning this award truly means so much to me. I’m really looking forward to growing alongside the MPA, and to inspiring people around the world to discover mobile photography—and to see that phones are more than capable of creating images that are both warm and full of heart, with a beautifully crafted feel.”-Kuanglong Zhang
Kuanglong excels at visual storytelling frequently contrasting vibrant primaries — like the bold yellow walls against deep silhouettes — to create a sense of mystery and place. The use of color theory is equally daring — the graphic punch of a silhouette against a searing backdrop is balanced by the soft, warmth of the late afternoon light.
This collection feels like a vibrant, global conversation, a sophisticated body of work that celebrates the world with both precision & soul.
