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A Puffin’s Peaceful Rest

A puffin gently shields its face with its wings, resting in peaceful solitude. The delicate embrace of its feathers demonstrates a quiet strength. This serene scene invites reflection on the resilience of nature and the subtle power found in stillness and protection.

Awards

Black & White Photo Contest

2025

People’s Vote Award

Nature

Non Professional

Honorable Mention

Nature

Non Professional

A Puffin’s Peaceful Rest

A puffin gently shields its face with its wings, resting in peaceful solitude. The delicate embrace of its feathers demonstrates a quiet strength. This serene scene invites reflection on the resilience of nature and the subtle power found in stillness and protection.

About Artist

Maria Ciampini

Artist Statement Walking the Earth with a Camera A philosophy of presence, reverence, and relationship with the living world. My photographic practice serves as both a path and a way of being. I walk the Earth with my camera not to extract images but to cultivate relationships with the land, light, and the often-overlooked aspects of our surroundings. Whether I find myself in the moss-covered lava fields of Iceland, the ancestral waters of the Galápagos, the forests of Western Canada, or the expansive U.S. National Parks, I move slowly, seeking not just scenes but moments of communion. I wait, I listen, and I allow myself to be transformed by what I witness. I am drawn to what people often overlook: the silent gaze of an animal, the sway of grass in the wind, and the subtle textures of decay and renewal. These are not merely visual subjects; they remind us of the sacredness that exists within the ordinary. My photographs focus less on composition and more on contemplation. They are created not to impress but to invite stillness, presence, and a sense of deeper belonging. My life's work, both in education and art, is grounded in a personal philosophy of relational presence: the belief that deep care, thoughtful attention, and sincere witnessing are among the most meaningful gifts we can offer to one another and to the Earth. I hold a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Toronto, an M.Ed. in Adult Education from Brock University, and an Honours BA in Early Childhood Education. For decades, I have listened to the stories of children, families, and students, creating spaces where each voice matters and every moment is honored. This ethic of listening and holding space now informs every aspect of my photography. Just as I once watched a child discover their place in the world, I now observe the land revealing itself—not through control, but through patience and care. In both contexts, transformation begins with stillness and trust. My camera serves as a vessel for that trust. My body of work is not just a record of the places I have visited; it reflects how I choose to live: with reverence, intention, and gratitude. In an age that promotes speed, consumption, and disconnection, I offer an invitation to return to the quiet, to the earth, and to what is enduring and alive. I hope that each image becomes a space where others can also feel seen, grounded, and gently reminded of what truly matters.

Maria Ciampini

Photographic Areas of Focus

Abstract, Fine Art, Landscapes, Nature, Wildlife

Location

Canada

Explore Other Winners

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Honorable Mention
Nominee
Arun Madisetti

Arun Madisetti

Wildlife

Bronze

CG

Carlotta Grenier

Fine Art

Honorable Mention
Maddison Woollard

Maddison Woollard

People

Honorable Mention
Kevin Thompson

Kevin Thompson

Nature

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