The Illume Awards 2026: Meet the seven Sports Category Winners announced so far

Summary

• The Illume Awards 2026 have announced seven Sports Category Winners.
• The images cover surfing, kayaking, skateboarding, trail running, skiing, mountain biking and climbing.
• The Aerial winner is scheduled for November 9, 2026.
• The Overall Winner will be chosen in January 2027.

Seven photographs, seven completely different ways to capture action: The Illume Awards 2026 have revealed their first winners, from Arctic glaciers to the waves of the Solomon Islands.

As of November 5, seven of the eight Sports Category Winners have been announced. The competition received more than 15,000 submissions, with 20 finalists selected in each of the eight sports categories. The Aerial winner is scheduled to be announced on November 9, while the Overall Winner will be chosen in January 2027.

Previously known as Red Bull Illume, the contest has a long history in adventure photography, including its 2013 awards. This year the seven images share no single visual style: what connects them is how their creators use space, light and their relationship with the athlete.

Surf — Beatriz Ryder (November 4, 2026)

Portuguese photographer Beatriz Ryder won with a black-and-white image of surfer Shaley Mercado in the Solomon Islands. The surfer rides a small wave, while the shoreline and tropical vegetation balance the frame without competing with the action.

Ryder describes a shallow, fast wave directly in front of where the team was staying. Judge Ben Thouard praised the tonal balance and atmosphere. The prize also includes an opportunity to work on a new assignment with the Patagonia Surf Team.

Adventure — Gonzalo Robert Parraguez (October 30, 2026)

Chilean photographer Gonzalo Robert Parraguez captured Aniol Serrasolses descending a waterfall amid the frozen landscape of Svalbard, Norway. The tiny human figure against the enormous glacier anchors the image, while the line of falling water guides the eye toward the athlete.

The photographer dedicated the distinction to Serrasolses, who had pushed for the demanding Arctic project. The judges highlighted the timing, when the athlete’s commitment and the scale of the landscape align in a single frame.

Skate — Robert Christ (October 28, 2026)

German photographer Robert Christ took a different approach to skate photography. André Gerlich performs a backside air on a sculpture by Andreas Kiessling in southern Germany, while the composition gives the large concrete artwork and its surroundings almost as much weight as the athlete.

The pair discovered a sculpture trail and decided to explore it with a skateboard. The judges singled out the scale, geometry and timing, rather than the trick alone.

Trail — Ágata Domínguez (October 26, 2026)

Spanish photographer Ágata Domínguez photographed athlete Ida Amelie Robsahm at the 2026 Zegama-Aizkorri race in Spain. The intensity on her face and the expressions of the cheering spectators turn the action into a deeply human story.

The image took on a different meaning following Robsahm’s death in the mountains in September 2026. Domínguez has spoken of being grateful to have preserved a moment of her life and passion. Here, monochrome draws attention to the emotion rather than spectacle.

Snow — Louis Garnier (October 23, 2026)

French photographer Louis Garnier produced a striking image in Tignes, France, showing skier Kevin Rolland airborne in front of a huge burst of fire. The contrast against the dark background makes the jump feel almost cinematic.

The shoot required meticulous planning and offered only three attempts with the flames, according to Garnier. What makes the frame work is that the action reads instantly, while the complexity of the production stays behind the scenes.

Bike — Lear Miller (October 20, 2026)

American photographer Lear Miller photographed Hannah Bergemann in a dramatically lit forest at night in Pacific City, Oregon, as part of Chris Benchetler’s Mountains of the Moon project. The vivid color and the rider’s position create an almost fantastical atmosphere.

The crew worked for four nights, roughly from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., battling heavy rain and water on the optics. The image shows just how much collaboration with lighting crews and athletes matters on a complex action shoot.

Climb — Tom Klocker (October 16, 2026)

Austrian photographer Tom Klocker was the first winner announced, with an image of climber Mario Andexlinger in Iceland. The blue contours of the ice and the circular glacier opening make the landscape the main character, while the tiny figure is gradually discovered within the composition.

Klocker described the photograph as exceptionally difficult to make because of the advanced ice-climbing skills it required. The frame relies on the geometry of the natural formation and the almost mystical atmosphere.

What comes next at The Illume Awards 2026

The Aerial category winner is due to be announced on November 9, 2026. Beyond the eight sports categories, the competition has eight theme categories: Close-Up, Emerging, Innovation, Lifestyle, Masterpiece, Playground, RAW and Spirit. The Overall Winner will be selected from the 16 category winners in January 2027.

All seven winning photographs will appear in The Illume Photobook 2026. Prize packages include Leica D-Lux 8 cameras, Angelbird storage equipment and COOPH straps, with some winners also receiving specialist gear or assignments from the relevant category partners.

What we think

These seven photographs remind us that there is no single recipe for great action photography. Klocker and Gonzalo Robert let the natural landscape convey the magnitude of the feat. Christ turns a skate trick into a dialogue with a sculpture. Ryder and Domínguez achieve something equally demanding with fewer visual distractions: attention stays on the moment and the person.

Garnier and Miller, meanwhile, remind us of the production side. Not every award-winning action photograph has to be spontaneous. When lighting, crews, athletes and a handful of attempts are involved, preparation is part of the creative work. The same tension appears in an ambitious eclipse and cyclist photography production: technical difficulty is worth discussing, but the final frame must also stand on its own.

The photograph of Robsahm stays with us for another reason. Its emotional impact is not created by a spectacular edit or huge set piece; it comes from the runner’s expression and the people around her. That may be the most useful lesson from these seven winners: know what you want your image to say before pressing the shutter.

Frequently asked questions

Have all The Illume Awards 2026 winners been announced?

No. As of November 5, seven of the eight Sports Category Winners have been announced. The Aerial category is scheduled for November 9.

When will the Overall Winner be announced?

The Overall Winner is expected to be announced in January 2027, after the winners of the eight theme categories have also been selected.