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© 2026 RAW Photo Awards. All rights reserved.

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Meet Our Jury

Independent panel of experienced sports photographers and OCR experts will evaluate all submissions anonymously. Blind judging – the frame matters, not the name.

Adam Nurkiewicz - Nikon Ambassador

Adam Nurkiewicz

First Polish Nikon Ambassador. Olympic and Paralympic Games Photographer.

Adam Nurkiewicz is one of Poland's most experienced sports photographers. He served as photo editor-in-chief at Przegląd Sportowy (Poland's biggest sports daily), and his work has been published in major media worldwide: L'Équipe, USA Today, The Guardian, and more. He collaborates with Getty Images, AFP, and Reuters.

He has photographed the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, and multiple Special Olympics worldwide. Winner of Grand Press Photo 2005 (1st place, Sports) and Polish Sports Photography Competition 2020 (2nd place). He organizes Warsaw Photo Expo – an annual gathering of professional photographers.

He teaches photography at ZPAF (Polish Association of Art Photographers), University of Warsaw, and Nikon Academy.

Why on the Jury

Experience in judging sports photography, understanding of working in extreme conditions, and deep comprehension of emotion in sport.

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Aleksandra Szmigiel - Sony Europe Ambassador

Aleksandra Szmigiel

Sony Europe Ambassador. Former track athlete, now Olympic Games photographer.

Aleksandra Szmigiel knows sport from the inside – she trained competitively in track and field for 10 years (800-1500m). Multiple Polish LZS Championship medalist, Polish Mountain Running Champion, and Polish national team member at the European Mountain Running Championships. She transformed this passion into sports photography.

She works with Reuters agency and has photographed the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Beijing, and Paris, World and European Championships, and Diamond League events. Her photos have been published in The Washington Post, TIME, The New York Times, The Guardian, and Vogue.

Award winner and finalist in major competitions: Grand Press Photo 2020 (1st place, Sports), Photojournalist of the Year 2018 & 2019 (1st place, Sports), World Sports Photography Awards 2024 (shortlisted), POY (Picture of the Year International) finalist 2025.

Why on the Jury

Unique perspective – she knows both sides of the lens. She understands what athletes feel on the course and how to capture emotions others miss.

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Łukasz Skwiot - Canon Europe Ambassador

Łukasz Skwiot

Canon Europe Ambassador. FIFA World Cup and Champions League Photographer.

Łukasz Skwiot has been a professional sports photographer for over 15 years. He specializes in football and American football, but his skills cover the dynamics of any sport. He works with Piłka Nożna magazine and CyfraSport agency.

He has photographed the biggest football events: 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, UEFA Euro 2016, 2020, 2024, and nearly 100 Champions League matches. He is the official photographer for Panthers Wrocław (American football team).

Winner of Polish Sports Photography Competition 2015 for his iconic photo of Marcin Lewandowski with the Polish flag and multiple-time finalist of World Sports Photography Awards. His philosophy: "Emotions are 60%, light is 40% of a perfect photo."

Why on the Jury

Master of dynamic, tight frames and capturing split-second moments impossible to see with the naked eye – exactly what OCR photography demands.

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Jacek Lipiecki - Founder of Przeszkodowo.pl

Jacek Lipiecki

Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Przeszkodowo.pl – Poland's largest OCR media outlet.

Jacek Lipiecki has been documenting and analyzing the world of OCR and Ninja sports in Poland for years. Przeszkodowo.pl, which he created and runs, is the main source of information for the Polish OCR community – race calendar, live coverage, interviews, analysis, and guides.

He regularly covers the most important OCR events in Poland and Europe, including European and World Championships. He is the voice of the community – he knows athletes, organizers, and photographers personally.

Why on the Jury

Representative of the OCR community. He knows the specifics of this sport like no one else – he understands which moments on the course matter most and which photos truly capture the spirit of obstacle racing.

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