It is with great pleasure and greater pride that we present the winning entries of our second annual American Photo Images of the Year Competition. Many photography contests are held around the world each year, but the Images of the Year Competition is unique in the breadth of photography it showcases, from photojournalism to fine art, from advertising work to student work, from nature photography to wedding photography. The competition represents in the strongest terms American Photo's commitment to finding and publishing the best photography in the world, from professional photographers and amateurs alike.

Winners include Annie Leibovitz in the Commercial Work category, Martin Schoeller in the Portraits/Wedding category and Michael Kamber in Photojournalism.

Complete winners list

I won't argue at all with the portrait or commercial winners. That Sopranos image? Classic. Clooney? Same thing. Is it wrong to admit that that is the kind of photography that appeals to me most right now? Naturally the photojournalism winner is stunning but I find I don't have the internal fortitude to experience much work like that these days.