world's first instagram photography awards highlights incredible travel photos and a poodle

after amassing over 180,000 entrant the inaugural photobox instagram photography awards competition has closed. following a three-week window for submissions ranging from cute pets, travel shots and intimate moments between loved ones, the contest soon became the world’s largest social media competition of its kind.

the photobox instagram photography awards (PIPA) drew entries via instagram earlier this year asking users needed to post their entries with the hashtag #thepipas2018. entries were divided among 10 different categories including travel, animals, sport and landscapes. other unconventional categories included #love, #nofilter, and family. 

 a participant in the zinneke parade in brussels by @gilles.guilbert

a panel of judges including editor in chief at cosmopolitan, farrah storr and ex-picture editor at the guardian eamonn mccabe chose the winners. the winning shot was taken by @darrenwilliamhall of his miniature poodle ted. other highlights include an intimate shot of two boys by @matthias_magen which won the love category. an aerial view capturing the wake of a boat in jersey by @bam_perspectives won the sport section.

an aerial view capturing the wake of a boat in jersey by @bam_perspectives 

the instagram photography awards also highlighted some incredible travel photos. a participant in the zinneke parade in brussels by @gilles.guilbert won the travel prize. a runner-up in this category by @jpduverge shows a punjab man in india. to see the winners and full shortlist see here.

a punjab man in india by @jpduverge

a child being thrown into the air by @ceuxquinouslient

a colour festival in roda de berà by @saian_vergne

a shot of rainbow mountain in peru by @conormccann

a street in najac, france by @aaronjenkin

son spotlight in a benagil cave in portugal by @blu3willow

dave the bleeder by @russellcobb