Beyond the Lens: HUAWEI Dominates Mobile Photography at the XMAGE Awards 2025 in Paris

On November 12, the Grand Palais in Paris hosted both the 2025 Huawei XMAGE Awards Ceremony and the "The World, You and Me" Annual Imaging Exhibition. Filipino photographers Rhon Velarde and Mark Padecio gained international recognition this year for their exceptional photographs that highlight the country's dynamic creative spirit.

The event, which was co-hosted with Paris Photo, one of the most prominent photographic exhibitions in the world that was established in 1997, drew a distinguished group of talented artists, powerful media representatives, business executives, and ardent photography aficionados.

2025 HUAWEI XMAGE Awards Ceremony

2025 HUAWEI XMAGE Awards Ceremony and Annual Exhibition: Exploring ‘The World, You and Me’

Kevin Ho, CEO of HUAWEI Consumer Business Group, emphasized, "Through XMAGE, we harness the power of technology and imagery to better understand the world, and, more importantly, to see one another with greater empathy."

 

Ethereal Lines by Gheorghe Popa – Romania with HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra

 

Every year, more than 100,000 people attend the event. This year's exhibition is the third time Paris Photo and Huawei have collaborated to bring mobile photography to the international art scene, following 2018 and 2019. Additionally, it is the first since the company introduced its ground-breaking XMAGE brand, which made a crucial transition from only technology to cultural narrative.

 

New Life by Mehmet Emin Corus - Turkiye with HUAWEI Mate 10 Pro

 

"The World, You and Me" is the theme of this year's exhibition, which features the creations of gifted artists who perceive, recreate, and interpret their surroundings. The titles of the three exhibition spaces—"I Capture, Therefore I Am," "The Constructed, The Perceived," and "In Their Own Words"—reflect the competition's focus on visual immersion.

The idea of reimagining the interaction between people, their entirely distinct views, and the visual landscapes they inhabit is central to all of the pieces on display. In addition to serving as an exhibition, the event brought together many of the world's top photographers, fostering new relationships and exchanges and highlighting HUAWEI XMAGE's goal of acting as a global platform that encourages artistic interchange for everyone.

 

Origin of Skiing by Chen Guanhong - China with HUAWEI Mate 70 Pro+

 

A Global Celebration of Vision Bringing Creativity Around the World

This year's competition attracted over 743,000 entries from skilled artists in 78 countries and regions, demonstrating HUAWEI XMAGE's worldwide appeal and reach. Three Grand Prize Winners of the Year were chosen from among the "XMAGE 100" award-winning works, which were the most exceptional images and weren't divided into traditional categories. Among the XMAGE 100, Filipino photographers Rhon Velarde and Mark Padecio were honored for their skillful technique and compelling narratives. 

“Let’s continue to capture, share, and inspire the world through XMAGE,” encouraged Alex Huang, CMO of  HUAWEI Consumer Business Group.

 

Filipino 2025 XMAGE 100 Awardees: Rhon Velarde & Mark Padecio

 

The judges emphasized Popa's use of high-end smartphones to explore unexplored photographic territory, noting how mobile technology alters vision. Viewers are taken from surface observation to profound comprehension by the image's smooth interaction of optics and algorithmic computing. The photographer skillfully transitions between the macro and micro worlds in this piece, leading viewers from "seeing" to "insight" and revealing exciting unknowns in the most unlikely places.

The photograph's remarkable depth in its simplicity was highlighted by the judges. The mother, the newborn calf, and the farmer—who most likely didn't realize how special this event was—capture the entire life cycle. This image's commonplace quality is what makes it so remarkable. The photographer merely captures an image of remarkable depth and meaning as it happens, using no special techniques. 

 

Muddy But Happy by Mark Padecio - Philippines with HUAWEI nova 10

 

This piece, which is situated against a white plain in the light, depicts the peaceful bond between a child and their surroundings. The judges praised the photographer's extraordinary self-control in allowing the child's personality to come through rather than imposing their own emotions onto the picture.

Filipino Talent Shines on the Global Stage Bringing the Philippines’ Stories to the World

Filipino photographers Rhon Velarde and Mark Padecio are among the featured artists. Their captivating stories showcase Philippine culture and daily life.

Glimmer of Hope by Rhon Velarde - Philippines with HUAWEI P40 Pro

This piece depicted a brief but impactful moment of happiness as kids played by a muddy riverbank following the first downpour after a dry spell. The picture, which was taken on the spur of the moment with the Huawei Nova 10, demonstrated the phone's clarity, color accuracy, and dynamic range, giving the scene life and realism. "Winning the XMAGE Award was an incredible honor," Padecio clarified. "Through photography, I aim to show how Filipinos find beauty in simplicity and strength in togetherness," he continued. "The photo is more than an image; it is a visual story that captures who we are as a nation: resilient, hopeful, and deeply rooted in our sense of community." Each frame conveys a tale of bravery and heartfelt hope. 

HUAWEI XMAGE is encouraging a paradigm change in photography from "seeing" to "perceiving" our environment through these and innumerable other photos, creating connections in unlikely places. Pictures are now portals to our surroundings rather than passive images, and every click of the shutter opens up a universe of possibilities.