Captured by Chance, Celebrated by Art: Inside the Journey of a Two-Time XMAGE Winner. Grace Montives Shares Her Story

In the world of photography, some images are crafted—and others are discovered. They arrive unexpectedly, wrapped in emotion, timing, and instinct, revealing themselves only to those who are fully present in the moment. For the second time, this photographer captured such a moment and earned yet another XMAGE Award, a recognition that celebrates the perfect intersection of creativity, storytelling, and cutting-edge mobile technology.

Winning once is remarkable. Winning twice is rare. But what makes this achievement even more compelling is the humility behind it. There was no expectation, no pressure to replicate a triumph. Instead, the photographer approached the competition with the same spirit that fuels every great artist: a desire to create something meaningful—something honest. And in the process, they stumbled upon a moment of pure magic.

Set against the vibrant backdrop of Oman’s Traditional Dates Festival, the winning photograph tells a story bigger than its frame. It is a story of culture, childhood innocence, spontaneity, and the quiet power of emotion that only a true storyteller can capture. It is also a reminder that technology, when used thoughtfully, doesn’t replace the artist—it elevates them.

In this expanded interview with Grace Montives as she shares her story, we dive deeper into the journey behind the award, the inspirations that shaped the shot, the role of mobile photography in modern storytelling, and the message this photographer hopes to leave with the next generation of creators.

This is your second XMAGE win—an incredible accomplishment. Did you genuinely believe you had a chance to win again, or did this moment catch you by surprise?

Winning an XMAGE Award once felt like stepping into a dream—one of those defining moments any creative hopes to experience at least once in their life. But coming back a second time with another win was something I didn’t expect at all. To be fully honest, it caught me by complete surprise.

After the first win, I made a very conscious decision not to chase a repeat victory. When you win something so significant, people expect you to constantly recreate that magic. But creativity doesn’t operate under pressure or expectation; it thrives in freedom. So, instead of focusing on winning again, I focused on what has always mattered to me: creating something meaningful, emotionally sincere, and personally fulfilling.

I entered the competition not with the mentality of “I must win again,” but with the mindset of “I hope this image touches someone.” When you remove the fear of failure or the hunger for recognition, you return to the core of creativity. Recognition then becomes what it should be—not the goal, but a beautiful bonus. And this win, especially the second one, reminded me that authenticity resonates far more deeply than intention alone.

Your work stands out for its emotion and elegance. What personal story or experience inspired the winning image?

This image was born during a photography workshop trip to the Oman Traditional Dates Festival, a place full of vibrant culture, warmth, and authentic human connection. The child featured in the winning photograph was one of the official models for the event, and like many children in these settings, she was curious, lively, and full of pure energy.

But the magic of the moment came from spontaneity—not staging.

I was taking a short break, sitting beside several of the children as they played. Nothing extraordinary was happening; it was just a simple, joyful moment of innocence. Suddenly, one of the kids leaned over and began gently tickling my neck, laughing as she did it. Her laughter was contagious, and I instinctively joined in the playfulness.

In that fleeting instant, I realized I had stumbled upon something more precious than any planned shot. But I also knew that if I raised my DSLR, the spell would break. The presence of a big camera often interrupts the natural behavior of children, replacing authenticity with self-awareness.

So instead, I quickly reached for my Huawei Pura 70—small, unobtrusive, always ready. Without interrupting the moment, I captured her expression exactly as it was: genuine joy, unposed emotion, a piece of childhood preserved forever.

For me, that decision symbolized the essence of mobile photography. It is not just about convenience; it is about preserving authenticity in situations where a traditional camera might interfere. The photo is beautiful not because of its technical perfection, but because it is real.

XMAGE celebrates the fusion of creativity and technology. How did you leverage mobile photography tools to achieve such depth and detail in your shot?

What I love about mobile photography is the freedom it offers. The device becomes an extension of your instincts—light, portable, and always within reach. With the Huawei Pura 70, I embraced that freedom and leaned into the manual features that mimic the experience of a professional camera, but with a level of spontaneity a DSLR can’t always provide.

For this shot, I experimented with manual settings such as exposure, focus control, and color temperature. I wanted to preserve the warmth of the environment, the softness of the child’s skin tone, and the subtle play of shadows across her face. Mobile photography today allows for incredible precision; you can make micro-adjustments until the image feels just right.

Features like HDR helped retain the highlights and details even in challenging dynamic lighting. AI enhancements—when used carefully—helped subtly refine texture and clarity without compromising the authenticity of the moment. The beauty lies in knowing how to use these tools to complement the story, not overpower it.

With mobile photography, it’s never about making the shot perfect. It’s about making it honest, layered, and reflective of the emotion you saw. Technology allows that emotion to remain intact.

Every great photo has a moment of magic. Was there a single moment during the shoot when you knew, “This is the one”?

Yes—and it happened in just a fraction of a second.

As the child laughed, the natural light shifted ever so slightly, creating a soft contrast that perfectly framed her expression. The light touched her face with just enough warmth to highlight her features without washing them out. It felt like the universe aligning for a brief instant, offering me a window into something pure and beautiful.

When I took the shot, I didn’t overthink it. It was instinct. And sometimes instinct is your best collaborator.

A few minutes later, when I reviewed the image on my screen, I immediately felt it—this was the one. Not because it looked technically superior, but because it carried emotion. It carried a story. It carried the kind of authenticity you can’t stage, design, or replicate. It was a moment that belonged only to that place, that child, that laugh, that light.

Paris is known for inspiring artists for centuries. Did the city influence your creative process or mindset during the competition?

Absolutely. Paris carries a unique kind of inspiration—one that blends elegance, timelessness, and artistic spirit in a way few cities can. Walking through its streets feels like walking through history. Every corner holds a story, every café echoes decades of conversations, and every museum reminds you of the power of perspective.

Being in Paris during the competition brought me closer to the artistic legacy of storytellers who came before us. It reminded me to slow down, to observe more deeply, and to find beauty in details that others might overlook.

This mindset directly influenced how I approached composition. Instead of searching for the spectacular, I searched for the truthful. Instead of forcing drama, I embraced simplicity. Paris teaches you that creativity is not about grand gestures; it’s about sincerity and intention.

The city doesn’t just inspire artists—it transforms them.

What message or piece of advice do you hope aspiring photographers take away from your journey and your win?

If there is one message I hope to pass on, it is this:

Focus on the story, not the shot.

Many photographers fall into the trap of chasing perfection—perfect lighting, perfect symmetry, perfect color grading. But the most memorable images are rarely perfect. They are emotional. They are human. They make you feel something.

Technology is a powerful tool, and today’s mobile devices give us capabilities that were unimaginable a decade ago. But technology alone cannot create a meaningful photograph. Emotion can. Perspective can. Patience can.

My advice to aspiring photographers is simple:

Be present. Observe. Feel the moment before you capture it.
Let the story guide your composition, not the other way around.
And never underestimate the beauty of spontaneity. Sometimes the best images are the ones you didn’t plan for.

In the end, photography is not just about seeing through a lens—it’s about seeing with your heart.