My Visual Odyssey !
JAHID APU is an award-winning documentary photographer avidly drawn to the art of capturing life’s essence. Born and raised in Bangladesh, Jahid has crafted a distinctive visual narrative that transcends borders and resonates deeply with audiences worldwide.
Born in 1997, Jahid’s PASSION FOR STORYTELLING began in his early years with a fascination for visual arts and painting. This passion evolved into photography, fueled by his academic background in Computer Science and Engineering, culminating in a Diploma in Documentary Photography. The journey into documentary photography was a natural evolution, delving into the lives of marginalized communities, forgotten landscapes, and the resilience of the human spirit.
Jahid currently works as a photographer and contributor for renowned international agencies, including ZUMA PRESS (USA), NURPHOTO AGENCY (ITALY), and SOLENT NEWS & PHOTO AGENCY (UK). Through these collaborations, his work reaches a global audience, capturing pivotal moments that reflect the complex narratives of our time.
By the age of 27, Jahid has already amassed over 50 prestigious international photography awards. His work has been exhibited in prominent galleries across more than 40 countries, including a high-profile exhibition at the PARIS OLYMPIC GAMES 2024. Jahid’s evocative imagery has been featured in leading global media outlets such as National Geographic, The Guardian, The Times, Telegraph, Daily Mail, Oceanographic Magazine, Express, CNN, and the BBC, earning him widespread recognition for his ability to provoke thought, stir emotions, and capture the raw beauty of humanity.
In his collaborations with renowned organizations such as UNESCO, FAO, and other nonprofits, Jahid has spearheaded impactful projects that address urgent global issues. His work in environmental advocacy came to the forefront when he was named ENVIRONMENTAL PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2023 for his powerful portrayal of the River’s pollution crisis in Bangladesh. This iconic photograph was featured in over 150 major media outlets globally, amplifying the call for raising awareness about sustainability and urging environmental consciousness.
The distinctive quality of Jahid’s work lies in his ability to seamlessly blend technical mastery with a deeply empathetic approach, capturing both the beauty and the complexities of the human experience. His photography leaves an indelible mark on the visual storytelling landscape. With an ever-growing list of accolades, Jahid is not only an award-winning documentary photographer but also a powerful force who drives change and fosters EMPATHY THROUGH THE ART OF PHOTOGRAPHY.
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
2021
- UNESCO Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads – Paris, France
1st Place - World Photography Awards – New York, USA
Award Of Excellence - SPIE International Day of Light Photo Award – Washington, D.C., USA
Top Picks Award - BarTur Photo Award – Berlin, Germany
Honorable Mention - Gump International Photography Award – Hong Kong
Runners Up - 2nd Country of Heaven Photo Circuit – Tokyo, Japan
1 Merit Medal With 13 Acceptance - Ruchi Beautigram Photography Award – Dhaka, Bangladesh
1st Place - Bangladesh Tourism Board Photo Award – Dhaka, Bangladesh
3rd Place - Sustainable Development Goals Photo Award – Dhaka, Bangladesh
3rd Place - A Better Tomorrow Photo Award – Dhaka, Bangladesh
Honorable Mention
2022
- Grand Prix Photo de Saint Tropez – Saint Tropez, France
Best Young Talent - United Nations SSF Hub’s IYAFA – San Francisco, USA
1st & 3rd Place - European Union FRH Photo Award – Lund, Sweden
Runners Up - International Photography Awards – Los Angeles, USA
Honorable Mention - Mangrove Photography Awards – Seattle, USA
Highly Commended - Silk Road & Young Dreams Photo Award – Beijing, China
Prize of Excellence - AMPF IV BIENNAL Photo Award – Lisbon, Portugal
2 Honorable Mentions - Premio Peabody de Fotografía y Reel – Buenos Aires, Argentina
Honorable Mention - Trieste Photo Young – Trieste, Italy
Honorable Mention - Lumicroma In Colors Project React Photo Award – Lisbon, Portugal
People’s Choice Award - Building Inclusive Cultures Photography Competition – Dhaka, Bangladesh
Award of Excellence
2023
- Environmental Photographer of the Year – London, UK
MPB Vision of the Future Winner - Shining A Light: Women & Prison Photo Award – Kentucky, USA
1st Prize - Caminos de Hierro Spanish Railway Photo Award – Madrid, Spain
Best Young Author
- The Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest – Moscow, Russia
Jury Honorable Mention - Asian Press Photo Contest – Singapore
Bronze Medal
- World Biennial of Student Photography – Novi Sad, Serbia
3rd Place - Lumicroma In Colors Project - Home Photo Award – Lisbon, Portugal
Honorable Mention - National Justice Museum Photo Award – London, UK
People’s Choice Award
- Esperanza Pertusa International Photography Award – Madrid, Spain
Special Mention Award
2024
- CPOY 79 – The College Photographer of the Year Competition – Missouri, USA
Gold in the General News category - The Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest – Moscow, Russia
Jury Honorable Mention - Technical Image Press Association World Award – Hamburg, Germany
2 Honorable Mentions - International Photography Awards – Los Angeles, USA
Honorable Mention - UNICEF Water for Peace Photo Award – Dhaka, Bangladesh
2nd Place - Earth 360° Nature through Arts Festival – Dhaka, Bangladesh
Best Photographer - Bangladesh Press Photo Contest – Dhaka, Bangladesh
Award of Excellence
2025
- Photography 4 Humanity Global Competition – New York, USA
Honorable Mention - This is Gender – Global Photography Competition – Cambridge, UK
Category Winner "Systems and Institutions" - The Knights of Art™ Photography Awards – Delaware, USA
Honorable Mention - Changing Asia Photo Competition – Hong Kong, China
Winner - Bangladesh Press Photo Contest – Dhaka, Bangladesh
Award of Excellence
NOTABLE EXHIBITIONS & FINALIST HONORS
- PARIS OLYMPIC GAMES 2024 – Paris, France
2024 - United Nations Headquarters – New York, USA
2025 - UNESCO Headquarters – Paris, France
2022, 2023 - University of Cambridge – Cambridge, UK
2025 - European Union FRH Biennial Conference – Lund, Sweden
2022 - HIPA – Hamdan International Photography Award – Dubai, UAE
Finalist in 2018, 2020, 2023, 2024 - Xposure International Photography Awards – Sharjah, UAE
Finalist in 2023, 2024, 2025 - Siena International Photo Awards – Siena, Italy
Finalist in 2021, 2022, 2023 - Siena Drone Photo Awards – Siena, Italy
Finalist in 2023, 2024 - Music Photographer Of The Year – London, UK
Finalist in 2024 - Bangladesh Press Photo Contest – Dhaka, Bangladesh
Finalist in 2023 - The Viewsonic ColorPro Awards – London, UK
Finalist in 2024 - CIFOR-ICRAF Photo Competition – Global
Finalist in 2024 - SONY Alpha: MXSPF Contest – Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico
Finalist in 2024***Over the past 4 years, I have been a finalist or shortlisted in more than 100+ contests, with a selection of the most prestigious and notable achievements highlighted above.
PUBLICATIONS
- Available online, 10 April 2024, "Walk Through Trash", National Geographic España
- Issue 5, July- August 2024, Page 14, "Inferno: Heat and Hardship", The Climate Creative Challenge
- Available online, 22 November 2023, "A bridge in Dhaka, Bangladesh, is surrounded by plastic waste.", CNN
- Available online, 23 November 2023, "A bridge in Dhaka, Bangladesh, is surrounded by plastic waste", Yahoo
- Available online, 23 November 2023, "The Environment Photographer Of The Year", The Times
- Available online, 23 November 2023, "A jaw-dropping vision of the future", BBC Science Focus
- Issue 5, May 2023, Page 26-29, "Three Episodes of Her Gaze", The City Of Women, Tatispace
- Sec GDN 1N, Edition 1, 22 May 2022, Page 34, 35 "Eyewitnessed Picture Of The Week", The Guardian
- Issue July 2022, Page 11, "Solitude: The Sky is Grey", In Focus: The Business Standard
- Issue #112, April - May 2022, “Amusement”, FSTOP Magazine
- Issue #111, February - March 2022, “Parenting”, FSTOP Magazine
- Issue May 2022, Page 88, 89 “Yellow”, YOOF Magazine India
- Issue July 2021, Page 11, "Whispers of the clouds", In Focus: The Business Standard
