International Photography Awards (IPA) 2026 – 23ª edizione

The International Photography Awards™ (IPA), founded in 2003 by the Lucie Foundation in Los Angeles, present the 23rd edition of their annual international competition for professional, non-professional and student photographers worldwide. With over two decades of history, IPA is one of the most prestigious photography awards globally, dedicated to celebrating excellence, discovering new talent, and promoting the appreciation of photography in all its forms.

Who can participate

Professional, non-professional and student photographers of any nationality. Three competition levels with differentiated entry fees. A 20% discount applies to additional category entries.

Categories

Entries are accepted across a wide range of thematic categories covering all major photography genres: advertising, architecture, book, children, editorial, fashion, fine art, nature, people, sports, travel, wildlife, and many more. Submissions may be single images or series of 2-9 images.

Entry fees

• Professionals: US$40 (single image) / US$65 (series 2-9 images)
• Non-professionals: US$30 (single) / US$55 (series)
• Students: US$20 (single) / US$35 (series)

20% discount for additional category entries.

Prizes

Winners receive the title of IPA Photographer of the Year (Professionals) and IPA Discovery of the Year (Non-Professionals/Students), cash prizes, trophies, international exhibitions, and extensive promotion across industry media worldwide.

Submission deadline

Final deadline: June 30, 2026.

Link

photoawards.com

Prix Photoforum 2026 (Photoforum Pasquart, Biel/Bienne – Svizzera)

The Photoforum Pasquart in Biel/Bienne (Switzerland) launches the call for entries for the Prix Photoforum 2026, one of Switzerland's most prestigious photography prizes, running since 1993. Open to Swiss and international photographers and visual artists, the prize selects 10 to 15 artists for a group exhibition in December 2026 and awards a first prize of CHF 5,000.

Who can participate

Swiss and international photographers and visual artists who have created their work within the last two years. All photographic practices are welcome: documentary photography, experimental processes, installation, video and digital media.

How to apply

Applicants must submit an online dossier including: up to 15 images of the proposed work, a presentation layout proposal (maximum 5 metres of wall space), a CV, and proof of payment of the registration fee (or valid Photoforum Pasquart Association membership).

Entry fees

• Standard: CHF 65.00
• Students: CHF 35.00

Payment by bank transfer to: Postfinance Photoforum Pasquart, Faubourg du Lac 71, CH-2502 Biel/Bienne — IBAN CH48 0900 0000 2500 1843 1 — reference: "Prix Photoforum 2026".

Prizes

The jury selects 10 to 15 artists for the group exhibition in December 2026 at Photoforum Pasquart. One selected artist receives the Prix Photoforum worth CHF 5,000, awarded at the exhibition opening. All selected artists receive a CHF 500 contribution towards transport and production costs. A Portfolio Day is organised for the selected artists to meet and discuss their work with professionals from the photography world.

Submission deadline

July 31, 2026.

Link

photoforumpasquart.ch

Close-up Photographer of the Year 8 (CUPOTY 2026)

The Close-up Photographer of the Year (CUPOTY) returns for its eighth edition, the international competition dedicated entirely to macro, close-up and micro photography. Open to photographers of any age and nationality, CUPOTY celebrates the hidden wonder of the world through images that bring us close to nature, intimate landscapes and studio art. Winning and shortlisted work receives global media coverage across 100+ outlets including The Guardian and BBC.

Who can participate

Photographers of any age and nationality, using any camera, smartphone or microscope. Adult photographers (aged 18 or over on the closing date, 12 July 2026) may enter all categories. The Young category is for photographers aged 17 or under on the closing date. Photographers retain full copyright of all submitted images.

Categories

11 categories: Animals, Insects, Butterflies & Dragonflies, Arachnids, Invertebrate Portrait, Underwater, Plants, Fungi & Slime Moulds, Intimate Landscape, Studio Art, Young (under 18). Images taken with a microscope can be entered into any suitable category except Underwater and Intimate Landscape. The same image may be entered into multiple categories (each category counts as a separate entry).

Entry fees

• 6 images: £22.00
• 15 images: £33.00
• 30 images: £44.00
• Young CUPOTY (under 18): £5.00 for up to 15 images

A free copy of the CUPOTY 8 ebook is included with every entry. Images can be submitted up to one week after the registration deadline.

Prizes

Overall winner: £2,500 cash + The Macro Kit (prize package worth £1,350 including Novoflex Castel-M macro rail, F-stop Lotus 4 CORE 28L Pack, Cygnustech Diffuser, Zerene Stacker Professional Edition, Topaz Photo subscription) + Trophy + Digital certificate + Inclusion in the CUPOTY 8 ebook + Global media coverage. Category winner (10 adult categories): £250 each + Trophy + Digital certificate. Young Close-up Photographer of the Year: SIGMA 105mm F2.8 DG DN MACRO | Art lens + Trophy. All shortlisted photographers are featured in the shortlist gallery, Top 100 and ebook.

Submission deadline

Closing date for entries: Sunday, 12 July 2026. Images can be submitted until 19 July 2026 (one week after the deadline).

Link

cupoty.com

Epson International Pano Awards 2026 – 17ª edizione

The Epson International Pano Awards present the 17th edition of the world's largest competition dedicated to panoramic photography, promoted by Epson Australia and Epson Southeast Asia. Open to professional and amateur photographers worldwide. The 17th edition introduces a brand new Aerial category in both the Open and Amateur competitions.

Who can participate

The Amateur competition is open to non-professional and student photographers only. The Open competition is open to all photographers. The VR/360 competition is open to all photographers.

Categories

• Open Awards: Nature/Landscapes, Aerial (new), Built Environment
• Amateur Awards: Nature/Landscapes, Aerial (new), Built Environment
• VR/360 Awards: Open VR/360

Entry fees

• Open Awards: US$22 per image (early-bird: 5 images for US$88)
• Amateur Awards: US$20 per image (early-bird: 5 images for US$80)
• VR/360 Awards: US$20 per image (early-bird: 5 images for US$80)

20% discount on 5-image bundles. Early-bird available until June 22, 2026.

Prizes

Total prize pool over US$50,000, including US$15,000 cash. The overall winner of each competition (photographer with highest combined score from three images) earns the Photographer of the Year title. Gold, silver and bronze medals per category. Winning works published annually in hundreds of international photography magazines worldwide.

Submission deadline

Final deadline: July 13, 2026. Early-bird discount available until June 22, 2026.

Link

thepanoawards.com

MONOCHROMATIC 2026

Dodho Magazine announces the fifth edition of the Monochromatic Awards 2026, an international competition dedicated to the best monochromatic photography of the year.

Who can participate

The competition is open to photographers worldwide, both professional and amateur, with no restrictions on nationality or genre. All interpretations of monochromatic photography are welcome: from traditional black and white to grayscale, sepia, cyanotype, or any other variation based on a single tone.

Categories

Single open category. Each participant submits a single compressed folder (.zip), identified with the author's first and last name. Images from any photographic genre are accepted.

Entry fees

Registration requires payment of a fee based on the number of images submitted:

• 3-image pack — € 30.00
• 6-image pack — € 45.00
• 12-image pack — € 60.00

The fee is per pack and includes editorial consideration by the jury.

Awards

The overall winner will receive the title of Photographer of the Year 2026 and, together with the finalists, will be included in the annual printed edition of Dodho Magazine (30×30 cm format, 100# premium matte paper). The top three winners and two Honorable Mentions will receive prominent editorial visibility within the volume and an official certificate of recognition. The 100 finalist photographs selected by the jury will be published in the book.

Jury

Carl Doghouse (Photographer of the Year 2025, UK), Luca Onnis (Photographer of the Year 2024, Italy), Zhenhuan Zhou (Photographer of the Year 2023, Canada), Ian Pettigrew (Photographer of the Year 2022, Canada).

Deadline

The entry deadline is July 15, 2026.

Link

www.dodho.com

Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize 2026 – 9ª edizione

Beautiful Bizarre Magazine presents the 9th edition of the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize, an international non-acquisitive prize celebrating excellence in representational visual arts, with a dedicated Photography Award. Open to artists and photographers worldwide, the prize includes all static media: traditional art (painting, drawing, sculpture), digital art, and photography. Winners are invited to participate in the Glimmer exhibition at Modern Eden Gallery in San Francisco, CA, USA.

Who can participate

Artists and photographers of any nationality aged 18 or over. Multiple category entries are welcome. AI-generated works (wholly or partially) are not accepted. A maximum of 10 artworks per artist may be submitted.

Categories

• Photography Award (MPB)
• Painting Award (RAYMAR)
• Drawing Award (33PA)
• Digital Art Award
• Sculpture Award
• Imaginative Realism Award (Gyllerstrom)
• Emerging Artist Award (BearWolf Books) — for artists within their first 5 years of practice, not represented by a commercial gallery

Entry fees

The entry fee is US$40 per artwork per category. Each entry requires a separate entry form and fee.

Prizes

Total prize pool over US$77,000 in cash and prizes. Grand Prize: US$10,000. Photography Award: US$4,000 (1st place). Painting Award: US$3,000. Drawing Award: US$4,500. Digital Art Award: US$4,000. Imaginative Realism Award: US$5,000. Emerging Artist Award: US$4,500. People's Choice Award (public voting opens September 2026): US$1,000. Winners also receive hand-blown glass trophies, features in Beautiful Bizarre Magazine, advertising packages, and an invitation to exhibit in the Glimmer show at Modern Eden Gallery, San Francisco.

Submission deadline

Entries close midnight, July 17, 2026 (Los Angeles, USA time).

Link

beautifulbizarreartprize.art

Nomad Art Prize

The Nomad Art Prize is an international open call for visual artists exploring the dialogue between art, movement, and place. The initiative is part of an exhibition and residency programme based in Lisbon.

Eligibility

The prize is open to artists of all nationalities, aged 16 and above. Both emerging and established artists are welcome to apply, with no restrictions based on professional status or career stage. All visual media are accepted: painting, sculpture, photography, video, installation, digital art, and mixed media.

Theme

Artists are invited to explore the concepts of displacement, journey, and the tension between roots and movement. Works should engage with the idea of art as a living, travelling entity that transforms in relation to its surroundings. Conceptual, formal, and narrative approaches are all equally welcome.

How to Apply

Each application is per artist or group of artists, and may include from 1 to 3 works. For each work, upload one image (JPG or PNG, max 30 MB) or provide a YouTube link for video works. The application must include artist data and, for each work: title, description, dimensions, and year of creation.

Entry Fee

A non-refundable entry fee is required to complete each application:

• 1 artwork: € 50
• 2 artworks: € 75
• 3 artworks: € 95

Payment is processed securely via credit/debit card or PayPal.

Awards

Each of the 8 selected artists will receive a cash prize of € 1,000. All selected artists will also be included in a full-colour printed and digital catalogue with critical essays. Selected artists will be invited to a one-week creative residency in Lisbon, timed to coincide with the exhibition opening: travel and accommodation are fully covered by the organizers. The residency includes studio time, artist talks, guided visits to cultural venues, and meetings with curators.

Exhibition

Selected works will be presented in a curated group exhibition at LX Factory — Former Cultural Warehouses, Lisbon. All on-site production costs — including installation, lighting, and insurance — are covered by the organizers.

Jury

All submissions will be reviewed by an international jury of curators, who will select 8 artists based on artistic quality, conceptual depth, technical execution, and relevance to the theme.

Deadline

The deadline for applications is 30 July 2026.

Link

nomadartprize.com/apply

Nomad Art Prize 2026

The Nomad Art Prize is an international award for the visual arts celebrating the dialogue between artistic creation and the places that inspire it. Founded on the belief that art is by its very nature nomadic — capable of crossing borders, cultures and contexts — the prize seeks to discover 8 artists whose work embodies this spirit of movement. Each edition takes place in a different city: for 2026, the venue is Lisbon, with its layered maritime history and vibrant creative scene. The group exhibition will take place in October 2026 at LX Factory, one of Lisbon's most dynamic cultural hubs.

Who can participate

Open to visual artists of any nationality, aged 16 and over. Both emerging and established artists are welcome — there are no restrictions based on professional status or formal training. All static and audiovisual media are accepted: painting, sculpture, photography, video art, installation, digital art, and mixed media. Each application may include 1 to 3 works.

Theme

The theme for the 2026 edition is displacement, travel, and the tension between roots and movement. Submitted works must develop a conceptual connection with these themes: migration, geographic belonging, nomadic identity, and the encounter between cultures.

Entry fees

• 1 work: €50.00
• 2 works: €75.00

Prizes

An international jury (Jonas Meyer, Marta Rinaldi, Rebecca Chen) selects 8 finalist artists. Each selected artist receives:

• €1,000 cash prize
• Invitation to a one-week artist residency in Lisbon (travel & accommodation included)
• Participation in the group exhibition at LX Factory, October 2026
• International promotion across industry media and official prize channels

Artists retain full ownership and copyright over all submitted works.

Submission deadline

July 30, 2026.

Link

nomadartprize.com

Analog Sparks International Film Photography Awards 2026

The Analog Sparks International Film Photography Awards return for their 2026 edition, the international competition dedicated entirely to analog photography in all its forms: color and black-and-white film, instant film, collodion and other alternative techniques. Hybrid works — analog images enhanced with digital techniques — are also accepted. Purely digital works are not eligible. Selected works will be exhibited at House of Lucie venues in Athens, Ostuni and Budapest.

Who can participate

Open to professional, amateur and student photographers aged 18 and over, of any nationality. Eligible works include images captured on film (color or b/w), instant film, collodion and other analog alternative processes, including those enhanced with digital post-production. Purely digital works are not accepted.

Categories

Architecture, Fine Art, Editorial, Events, Nature, Human, Lifestyle, Zines & PhotoBooks. Each category is open to both professionals and non-professionals. Photographers may submit single images or series of 2 to 11 images.

Entry fees

Entry fees vary by entrant type (professional or non-professional) and submission format (single image or series). Please check the official website for current early bird and standard rates.

Prizes

• AS Photographer of the Year: €1,000 cash + Best of Show solo exhibition at House of Lucie Athens + exclusive interview
• New Talent of the Year: €250 cash + Best of Show solo exhibition at House of Lucie Ostuni
• First Place Category Winners: €100 (PayPal or Amazon gift card) + group exhibition at House of Lucie Athens and Budapest

There are no additional fees: exhibition installation, awards and promotion are all free of charge. Photographers retain full copyright of their work.

Submission deadline

Final deadline: July 31, 2026.

Link

analogsparksawards.com

Form Photo Award 2026

Form, a multidisciplinary institution encompassing a gallery, magazine, publishing house, and educational platform dedicated to contemporary photography, together with SCOPE Miami Beach 2026 and Picter, launches the Form Photo Award / SCOPE MIAMI, an annual international competition dedicated to contemporary photography on an open theme. The award aims to discover emerging voices, fresh aesthetics, and thought-provoking themes, fostering global dialogue, intellectual exchange, and cross-cultural solidarity within the art community.

Who can participate

Open to professional and amateur photographers of any nationality. Submissions are made via the Picter platform on the official contest website. The theme is open: contemporary photography in all its forms and genres.

Prizes

Top 4 winners (Main Prize): winning projects will be exhibited at SCOPE Art Fair Miami in December 2026, during Miami Art Week, where they will be seen by over 80,000 visitors including gallerists, curators, collectors, critics, and international photography professionals. Winning projects will also be featured in Form Magazine, offering international exposure and the opportunity to connect with collectors and art professionals.

Shortlist (10 artists): participation in a digital exhibition at SCOPE during Miami Art Week, inclusion in the official exhibition catalogue, and publication in Form Magazine.

Longlist: publication in Form Magazine and, upon request, a personalized Submission Review with detailed, constructive feedback from experienced industry professionals.

Submission deadline

July 31, 2026.

Link

site.picter.com/form-photo-award-scope-2026

Concorso fotografico "Resilienti per natura" 2026 - Agenzia Europea dell'Ambiente (AEA)

The European Environment Agency (EEA) launches the photo contest "Resilient by Nature", an invitation to capture how nature underpins Europe's resilience: how natural systems support our societies, how climate and human pressures disrupt this harmony, and how people are finding ways to restore and strengthen the systems we all depend on.

Who can participate

The contest is open to citizens of the 27 EU member states and associated countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, Turkey, North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina), aged 18 or over. Participants aged 18-24 may also compete for the Youth Prize. Each participant may submit up to 5 photographs, distributed across one or more categories.

Categories

• Harmony — nature in its role of balance and support
• Disruption — climate and human pressures altering natural systems
• Renewal — actions to restore and strengthen ecosystems

Entry fee

Free entry.

Prizes

• Best photo per category (3 categories): €1,000 each
• Public Prize: €500 (online vote from 14 to 27 September 2026)
• Youth Prize (18-24 years): €500

Winners will be announced on 9 October 2026.

Submission deadline

10 August 2026, 23:59 CEST.

Link

eea.europa.eu

OD Photo Prize 2026 - Sesta edizione

Open Doors Gallery in London launches the sixth edition of the OD Photo Prize, the annual international award dedicated to emerging and early-career photographic artists working within the first ten years of their practice. Founded in 2021, the prize reflects the gallery decade-long mission of discovering, mentoring and championing early-career artists and building long-term relationships with them.

Who can participate

Open to emerging photographers and photographic artists working within the first ten years of their practice. No restrictions on nationality or location. The prize welcomes work across the full spectrum of contemporary photography: from documentary and street photography to collage and mixed media. Submissions are made via the Picter platform.

Prizes

Grand Prize (overall winner):

• £2,000 cash prize
• Exclusive interview with 1000 Words Magazine
• Long-term mentorship with Open Doors Gallery
• Listing as an OD Artist on the gallery website and Artsy for at least one year
• Place in the London group exhibition (November-December 2026)

At least 20 selected artists will be invited to the OD Photo Prize 2026 group exhibition in London, gaining exposure to the gallery collector base and sector media. All selected artists will be featured in the gallery website announcement and dedicated newsletter. Judges Picks and the AJ Page Award will also be awarded. Winners announced in October/November 2026.

Portfolio Reviews (new for 2026): a selection of Longlisted artists will receive by invitation two individual portfolio review sessions: one with a selected OD artist and one with gallery director Tom Page.

Submission deadline

August 11, 2026.

Link

opendoors.gallery/od-photo-prize — Enter on Picter

Ian Parry Photojournalism Grant 2026

The Ian Parry Photojournalism Grant is an annual international award for young emerging photojournalists, established in memory of Ian Parry, a Sunday Times photojournalist who died at the age of 24 while covering the Romanian revolution in 1989. For over three decades, the grant has supported young documentary photography talent with financial resources, mentorship, and international visibility.

Who can participate

Open to photographers of any nationality aged 24 or under in the year of entry, or students enrolled on a full-time photographic course (no age limit). Photographs must be original works by the entrant and must comply with the competition's code of ethics. Each application must include a portfolio of 12 images (photo essay or individual images) and a detailed project proposal (up to 1,000 words) outlining the work to be undertaken if the grant is received, along with a short summary (up to 100 words). Submissions are made exclusively via the Picter platform.

Theme

Photojournalism and documentary photography on themes of human and social significance: social change, humanitarian concerns, armed conflict, health, environment, politics, and culture. The jury selects the project most likely to produce exemplary and compelling photojournalism addressing important issues related to the human condition.

Entry fee

Free entry.

Prizes

The winner of the Ian Parry Photojournalism Grant receives:

• £10,000 towards their chosen project (paid in two installments of £5,000)
• A year-long personal mentorship with Giles Duley, photojournalist and Founder/CEO of the Legacy of War Foundation
• A year-long loan of Canon equipment to complete their work
• Publication of their project in The Guardian (official media partner)
• Participation in the Hamburg Portfolio Review
• Hostile environment training and body armor (Gentex Corp Personal Safety Award)

At the jury's discretion, the Tom Stoddart Award for Excellence may also be awarded. Save the Children selects one finalist to undertake a professional photography commission. A selection of finalists receives recognition and visibility from the industry jury panel.

Submission deadline

August 31, 2026.

Link

ianparry.org — Enter on Picter

ND Awards – Neutral Density Photography Awards 2026

The ND Awards – Neutral Density Photography Awards present the 2026 edition of their annual international photography contest, dedicated to promoting photography and giving photographers new opportunities to present their work to a global audience. Open to professional and non-professional photographers worldwide, with a total prize pool of over US$10,000.

Who can participate

Professional and non-professional photographers of any nationality. The contest is divided into two separate competition levels.

Categories

6 categories: Architecture, Landscapes, People, Still Life, Street Photography, Wildlife & Nature.

Entry fees

• Non-professionals: US$24 (single image) / US$29 (series of 2-5 images)
• Professionals: US$29 (single image) / US$34 (series of 2-5 images)
• Additional category: US$10

Prizes

Professional Grand Prize: US$3,500 cash + title of ND Photographer of the Year + annual front-page gallery showcase + international press and publicity. Non-Professional Grand Prize: US$2,400 + title of ND Discovery of the Year. Category winners (6 Professional): US$500 each + title of ND Category Photographer of the Year. Winners announcement: November 22, 2026.

Submission deadline

Final deadline: September 20, 2026.

Link

ndawards.net

Concorso Fotografico Internazionale "Nature and Humans" 2026 — Quarta Edizione

The DESEA Foundation (Fundación Desarrollo Sostenible ADF, Spain) announces the fourth edition of the "Nature and Humans" International Photography Contest, dedicated to nature photography and the relationship between human beings and nature. Open to amateur and professional photographers of any nationality.

Categories

The contest offers 15 awarded categories: 4 Conservation categories, 2 special categories, 6 thematic categories, and 3 additional awards (Young, Child, People's Choice). Each participant may submit a maximum of 30 photographs, freely distributed among categories.

Entry Fee

Entry fee: €25.00 per participant, regardless of the number of photographs submitted. FONAMAD members: €15.00. Photographers under 18 may participate free of charge.

Prizes

Total prizes exceed €17,000, including €10,000 in cash. Main prizes: €1,500 cash for each Conservation category winner (plus €500 additional prize for the overall Conservation winner), Sony and OM System photographic equipment for thematic categories, Pangea travel voucher for People's Choice.

Deadline

Submission deadline: 28 September 2026 (23:59h).

Link

natureandhumans.com

Monte-Carlo Photo Contest 2026

The Monte-Carlo Photo Contest 2026, an annual international photography competition open to photographers of any nationality, amateur and professional, is organized by Il Teatro della Vita (7, Avenue Saint Roman 98000, Monaco – Principality of Monaco).

The contest is held under the patronage of FIAP (Fédération Internationale de l'Art Photographique, FIAP 2026/351) and AAPMC (Académie de l'Art Photographique de Monte-Carlo, AAPMC 2026/MC2). The rules comply with FIAP document 048/2025 E, therefore the rankings are valid for FIAP honours and distinctions (AFIAP, EFIAP and levels, CAFIAP, CEFIAP).

Who can participate

Open to photographers of any nationality, amateur and professional, who must own all rights to the submitted images. Each participant may submit a maximum of 4 works per theme, for a total not exceeding 16 photographs. Photos entered in one theme cannot be entered in another. Works previously submitted to earlier editions are not accepted. AI-generated images are not permitted.

Themes

• Theme 1 - Glamour & Beauty
• Theme 2 - World in Focus (Street, Travel, Architecture, Culture, Events, Portraits, food, etc.)
• Theme 3 - Landscape
• Theme 4 - Open theme

Registration and photo submission take place via the HiHo platform (FIAP approved), accessible from the official contest website. Files must be JPEG format, sRGB colour space, long side minimum 1,920 px and maximum 3,000 px, 300 dpi resolution, maximum file size 4 MB. Photos with signatures, watermarks or frames are not accepted.

Entry fees

• One theme (max 4 photos): € 38.00
• Two themes (max 4 photos per theme): € 42.00
• Three themes (max 4 photos per theme): € 46.00
• Four themes (max 4 photos per theme): € 50.00

Jury

Riccardo Busi (FIAP President, MFIAP, EFIAP/p, HonEFIAP), Paolo M. Mosti (AAPMC President, AFIAP), Romain Nero (EFIAP/d2, HonEFIAP, HonFLPA), Ioannis Lykouris (MFIAP, EFIAP/p, PFIAP, HonEFIAP), Jesús M. García Flores (MFIAP, EFIAP/b, ESFIAP).

Prizes

A Light Blue Pin FIAP will be awarded to the best overall author of the contest.

Per theme:

• 1st Prize: FIAP Gold Medal
• 2nd Prize: FIAP Silver Medal
• 3rd Prize: FIAP Bronze Medal
• 4th to 10th Place: "FIAP Honourable Mention" Diploma
• 11th to 30th Place: "Special Jury Mention" Diploma

In addition to the above prizes, professional Retouch4me AI editing software:

For the top three in each theme: 2 Retouch4me AI editing plugins of the winner's choice (perpetual licences) with 1,000 cloud retouches each.
For all accepted participants: 20 free cloud retouches and a 20% discount on any plugin purchase.

More than 370 prizes will be awarded in total. Prizes are not cumulative within the same theme but may be cumulative across different themes (maximum 2). Awarded works will be published in a digital catalogue sent to all participants.

Submission deadline

Entries open from June 15, 2026. Deadline: October 4, 2026. Jury voting: October 18. Winners announced: October 25, 2026.

Awards ceremony

The awards ceremony will take place on December 4, 2026 in the Principality of Monaco. The digital catalogue of winners will be sent to all participants from December 15, 2026.

Link

montecarlophotocontest.org

Head On Photo Awards 2026

Insta360 Global Awards 2026 – Supported by Leica

Insta360, supported by Leica Camera, launches the fifth edition of the Insta360 Global Awards 2026, the international competition for photographers and filmmakers using Insta360 or Antigravity devices. Over 100 prizes with a total prize pool exceeding $150,000. Entries are judged on visual impact, creativity and technical skill.

Who can participate

Open to creators worldwide. Only works shot on Insta360 or Antigravity devices are eligible. AI-generated content that alters the authenticity of the work is not allowed. Basic post-production (color grading, editing) is permitted. Multiple entries are allowed, each submitted to one category only.

Categories

• Street — urban life, architecture, everyday moments
• Travel — landscapes, destinations, travel moments
• Life — relationships, family, emotions
• Portrait — faces, expressions, people-focused storytelling
• Sports — pure motion, high-energy moments
• Night — city lights, low-light atmosphere

Each category accepts both photos and videos (30s-3min, MP4/MOV). For photos: JPG/PNG, max 20MB, minimum 3000px long edge.

Jury

Zheng Gu (Fudan University Photography Professor, former World Press Photo juror and 2026 Leica Oskar Barnack Award juror), Thomas Chu (National Geographic Travel Photo Contest Grand Prize winner), Peter McKinnon (photographer and visual storyteller), Maurizio Beucci (Senior Manager Global Leica Akademie, curator of 60+ exhibitions), Danny Wang (Insta360 Head of Creative).

Entry fee

Free entry.

Prizes

Annual Awards (3 winners): Insta360 Luna Ultra Creator Bundle + custom 1g gold artwork + Leica D-Lux 8 + Antigravity A1 + $3,000 cash (value over $7,500 per winner).

Best by Category Awards (24 winners, 4 per category): Insta360 Luna Ultra Standard Bundle + Insta360 Mic Pro + Explorer Backpack + $1,200 cash (value over $2,400 per winner).

Monthly Awards (24 winners, assigned monthly): Insta360 Snap with Light + branded tote bag + $200 cash.

All winners receive an official Insta360 creator partnership, global promotion across brand channels and an official certificate.

Submission deadline

Submissions open June 15, 2026. Deadline: October 31, 2026. Winners announced: November 30, 2026.

How to submit

Via the official website, the Insta360 app, or by posting on Instagram, TikTok or YouTube with #Insta360LeicaAwards and your category hashtag.

Link

insta360.com/awards

Mobile Photography Awards 2026 – 16ª edizione

The Mobile Photography Awards (MPA), founded in 2011 by Daniel Berman, present the 16th edition of their annual international competition dedicated exclusively to photography shot and edited on mobile phones and tablets. The longest-running and most prestigious competition in mobile photography, the MPA produces touring exhibits in major cities across the United States and worldwide.

Who can participate

Photographers of any nationality. All images must be shot and edited exclusively on a mobile phone or tablet. Post-processing on a computer is not permitted.

Categories

12 categories: Architecture & Design/Still Life, Black and White, Digital Fine Art/Visual FX, Landscapes & Wildlife, Macro/Details, People, Portraits & Self Portraits, Silhouettes, Street Photography, The Darkness, Travel & Transportation, Water/Snow/Ice. Special category: Photo Essay (with its own $500 prize). Each image may be entered in up to 2 categories.

Entry fees

• 1 image: US$15.00
• 3 images: US$30.00
• 6 images: US$50.00
• 15 images: US$100.00
• 25 images: US$149.00
• Photo Essay: US$29.00 (separate category)

Prizes

Total prize pool over US$10,000. Grand Prize: US$3,000. Category winner: US$250 each. Photo Essay Prize: US$500. All winning images are featured in MPA touring exhibitions in major US and international cities.

Submission deadline

December 18, 2026.

Link

mobilephotoawards.com

Vincent van Gogh Photo Award 2027

The Stichting Serviceproject Rotary Club Nuenen organises the sixth edition of the Vincent van Gogh Photo Award 2027, an international photography competition held in Nuenen, the Netherlands — the hometown of Vincent van Gogh. The biennial competition draws photographers from over 80 countries. Nominated photos will be exhibited in the public park in the centre of Nuenen from 3 to 24 September 2027.

Who can participate

The competition is open to amateur and professional photographers of any nationality. A separate Student Award category is available exclusively for students.

Theme

The theme for the sixth edition is "Spirit of Light" (in the eyes of van Gogh). Participants are invited to interpret light in their own unique way — powerful or subtle, natural or artificial, visible or merely suggested. Each participant may submit a maximum of 3 images and may submit multiple times.

Entry fees

Vincent van Gogh Photo Award:

• 1 photo: € 18.00
• 2 photos: € 30.00
• 3 photos: € 42.00

Student Award:

• 1 photo: € 10.00
• 2 photos: € 15.00
• 3 photos: € 20.00

A 20% Early Bird discount applies from 1 March 2026 to 30 September 2026.

Prizes

For each category (Vincent van Gogh Photo Award and Student Award): 1st place — € 1,000 / € 500; 2nd place — € 500 / € 250; 3rd place — € 250 / € 100.

Jury

Jack Mostert, Peter Verver, Evely Duis, Ad Vereijken, John Geven, Michael Graste, Peter van Hout, Joost Keet.

Submission deadline

The submission deadline is 1 April 2027.

Link

vincentvangoghphotoaward.com

CEWE Photo Award

CEWE Stiftung & Co. KGaA, based in Oldenburg, Germany, organises the CEWE Photo Award 2027, an international photography competition open to amateurs and professionals worldwide.

Who can enter

The competition is open to all photographers (amateur and professional) aged 18 and over. A dedicated prize for photographers aged between 16 and 25 is also available — the Young Talent Award. Participants under 18 must have the consent of a parent or legal guardian. Employees of CEWE and their relatives, as well as anyone involved in the organisation of the competition, are not eligible to enter.

Categories

The competition is divided into 10 thematic categories, with one new addition for this edition: The World in Abstract. Each participant may submit up to 100 photographs spread across the categories. Only images taken with a lens-based camera are accepted; AI-generated content and digital composites are not permitted. Minimum file size: 1,080 × 1,080 pixels (PNG, JPG, JPEG).

• People
• Animals
• Landscapes
• Nature & Wildlife
• Architecture
• Close-Up & Macro Photography
• Street Photography
• Sport & Action
• Travel & Culture
• The World in Abstract — new for 2027
• Young Talent Award — open to participants aged 16 to 25

Entry fee

Entry is free of charge. Participants must create an account on the competition website. Submissions are accepted online only.

Prizes

Over 1,000 prizes are awarded, with a combined value exceeding €250,000. Each month, three winners are selected per category; monthly winners receive a €100 CEWE voucher and automatically qualify for the final selection. The overall prize includes an exclusive photography trip and a private workshop with jury president Christie Goodwin. The Young Talent Award includes a photography trip with individual one-to-one coaching with photographer Ulla Lohmann. Prizes cannot be exchanged for cash or transferred to third parties.

Jury

Christie Goodwin (president, concert photographer, UK), Jimmy Nelson (photographer, Netherlands), Ulla Lohmann (adventure photographer and volcanologist), JC Pieri (nature photographer, France), Lois Lammerhuber (photographer and publisher, Austria), Thomas Mehls (CEO, CEWE Group).

Submission deadline

The deadline for entries is 31 May 2027 (23:59, GMT+2).

Link

www.cewe.co.uk/cewe-photo-award.html