Acclaimed Cochrane photographer Jacquie Matechuk has earned top honours in the 2025 Black & White Photo Contest held by reFocus Awards.
The contest drew entries from 80 countries, showcasing the timeless appeal of black and white photography. Matechuk stood out among a talented global field, taking gold in two categories: Architecture for her photo Symphony of Strings and Wildlife for The Watchman.
The judging panel included industry leaders from BBC World Service, ABC News, Conde Nast Publications, Rizzoli, The Robb Report, and the National Geographic Society.
reFocus Awards celebrates the enduring power of photographic images to communicate ideas and captivate audiences, providing a platform to elevate photographers at all levels.
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Matechuk's recognition adds to a series of prestigious accolades.
In 2024, she was named Commercial Photographer of the Year by the Professional Photographers of Canada, earning Best in Class in the Animals category for her image I'll See You Through the Darkness, which also secured a spot in the 2024 Loan Collection.
That same year, she clinched a gold medal at the World Photographic Cup in the Nature Wildlife category with her photograph He Looks to the Heavens, featuring a spectacled bear in Ecuador. She also received the Nature Photographer of the Year award from Nature Talks for the same image.
Additionally, in 2021, Matechuk earned a bronze medal at the World Photographic Cup for her digital composition Zip It, which depicted the TELUS Sky building in Calgary during the early days of the COVID-19
As a Canon Canada Ambassador, Matechuk continues to inspire fellow photographers through her work and mentorship. Her photography reflects a profound love for storytelling, aiming to give her subjects a voice and connect viewers to the natural world.