Game Boys

Photographer

Karen Grillion

Category

People Photography - Children

Company

Submission Group

Amateur

Year

2025

Country / Region:

United States

Two young boys sit side by side on a worn doorstep in a quiet Cuban street. Their legs are dusty, their clothes simple, and yet their focus is intense. One clutches a game controller, the other leans in, fully engaged. But look closer: the cords dangle freely, leading to nothing. There is no screen, no console—only imagination. In a world where they have little, they’ve created much. The bright yellow shoes and vibrant red controller stand out against the faded walls and rough concrete, symbolizing the spark of play in a landscape of scarcity. They’re not playing a real video game—they’re pretending. And in that pretending, they find joy, escape, and connection. Game Boys is a quiet yet powerful reminder of childhood resilience. It celebrates the ability to dream, to play, and to believe—even when the wires don’t connect.

Credits

Karen Grillion
More Gold Winner Winners
Professional
2025

Photographer / Company

Gloria V Fenaroli

Category

Black & White Photography - Fine Art

Country / Region

Italy

Amateur
2025

Photographer / Company

Mark Tomalla

Category

Nature Photography - Golden Hour

Country / Region

Germany

Amateur
2025

Photographer / Company

Anja Pires

Category

Nature Photography - Wildlife

Country / Region

Switzerland

Amateur
2025

Photographer / Company

Penny York

Category

Nature Photography - Pet

Country / Region

Hong Kong SAR