Amin Abbas

Curtains closed on the 9th annual edition of the world’s largest photography festival that happened from Feb. 20 – 26 organized by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau, after the weeklong event welcomed more than 30,000 enthusiasts of art, film and photography.

Japanese brands such as Nikon and Fujifilm participated at Xposure 2025 to showcase their latest cameras and photography accessories. Also, various photography workshops sponsored by Nikon were featured at the event and attended by many photography fans.   

This year’s edition of Xposure was the festival’s largest edition yet and it took place for the first time at Aljada, Sharjah, offering an immersive space where photography, film, and visual arts converged to push creative boundaries and redefine the role of visual storytelling in today’s world.

Over seven days, Xposure 2025 transformed into a dynamic space for engaging discussions, masterclasses, and immersive experiences. Curated exhibitions featured over 2,500 powerful images from more than 300 internationally acclaimed photographers, showcasing compelling visual narratives from around the world.

The festival also hosted Xposure Talks, where industry leaders and visionaries shared insights and perspectives on the evolving role of photography and visual arts.

Education played a central role in this edition, with skill-building workshops, portfolio reviews, and mentorship opportunities providing invaluable learning experiences for both emerging and professional photographers. Documentary film screenings brought powerful global narratives to life, while the photography equipment showcase introduced audiences to the latest innovations from leading imaging brands, offering a glimpse into the future of the industry.

A special exhibition of Ibn al-Haytham, the pioneer of optics and the scientific method was held at Xposure 2025 where visitors explored the fundamental principles of light, optics, and vision—the same principles that underpin photography and filmmaking by experimenting with optical illusions, building their own models inspired by the camera obscura, and witnessing the science of light refraction and image formation in action.

The festival’s relocation to Aljada also introduced an open-air exhibition format, enhancing audience engagement and creating new interactive experiences for visitors.

Xposure 2025 went beyond conventional photography, embracing contemporary trends and emerging technologies. For the first time, the festival introduced a new category within the International Photography Awards, dedicated to AI-generated photography—marking a pivotal moment in the conversation around digital imagery and the intersection of human creativity and artificial intelligence.

Additionally, the festival hosted the 4th Environmental Summit, welcoming an esteemed lineup of photographers and journalists who have dedicated their careers to documenting environmental conservation and biodiversity.

As the curtains fall on this year’s edition, Xposure 2025 leaves behind a legacy of inspiration, innovation, and impact, having sparked meaningful conversations on the evolving landscape of visual storytelling. The festival continues to redefine the role of imagery in shaping global narratives, reaffirming its commitment to the power of photography as a force for change.