Capture your finest moments: 8 photography contests open for entries from photographers of every skill level, spanning from July to January
Photography Competitions Open for Submissions: A Comprehensive Guide
Are you a photography enthusiast looking for opportunities to showcase your work and win some exciting prizes? Look no further! Here's a roundup of some of the most noteworthy photography competitions accepting submissions between now and early 2026.
Sony World Photography Awards 2026 Deadline: 6 January 2026 This internationally renowned competition offers multiple categories, including an open competition, and embraces diverse genres. Entry fees vary, with some free entries allowed. The grand prize is a cash award of $25,000, and winners also receive global press exposure and the chance to have a solo exhibition in London.
CEWE Photo Award Deadline: 13 January 2026 (Professional) Theme: "Our world is beautiful" This competition offers a large prize pool of €250,000 and is free to enter. The theme has 10 categories, making it an excellent opportunity for photographers to showcase their work.
Wellcome Photography Prize Deadline: Early 2026 Focus: Health, science, and biomedical imaging Open to professionals, amateurs, and students, this competition offers £10,000 per category as prize money.
Black and White Minimalist Photography Awards Deadline: TBC (usually open in this timeframe) Focus: Minimalist black and white photography With cash prizes and exhibition opportunities, this competition is an excellent platform for photographers focusing on minimalist black and white photography.
Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative Calendar Photography Contest Deadline: 10 August 2025 Focus: Community, landscapes, and natural beauty of the Coos-Curry Electric service territory Prizes include gift cards and calendar publication.
Henri Cartier-Bresson Self-Published PhotoBook Award 2025 Deadline: Mid-2025 (may extend into late submissions) Free entry, with a €8000 reward for self-published photobooks.
Other Noteworthy Contests with Deadlines in Mid-2025 - Minimalist Photography Awards (closes 8 June 2025) - Hariban Award 2025 (closes 15 June 2025) - Circulation(s) Call for Applications 2026 (deadline 27 July 2025) aimed at emerging European photographers
Specialized Competitions - Anthology Photography Competition Deadline: 30 November 2025 Focus: 'The World As You See It' Open to photographers of all levels, this competition offers a €500 cash prize to the winner.
- AS International Film Photography Awards Deadline: 25 July 2025 Focus: Film photography Prizes include an AU$80,000 prize pool, camera kits, a finalists exhibition at Head On Photo Festival 2025, inclusion in the Head On Photo Awards 2025 book, and more.
- KBr Photo Award Deadline: 1 September 2025 Focus: Documentary photography Open to professional photographers, this competition offers a cash award of €25,000, the prestigious "Photographer of the Year" title, exhibitions, and €1,350 cash prizes.
- UNESCO Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads Photo Contest Deadline: 20 July 2025 Focus: 'Women, Guardians of Silk Roads Heritage' Open to photographers aged 14 to 25 years old, this competition offers cash awards, exhibitions, and publication opportunities.
- LensCulture's Street Photography Awards Deadline: 6 August 2025 Focus: Street photography One image can be submitted for free, with additional images costing $10 each or 5 for $35, and a series of up to 10 images costing $45.
- Nature Photography Contest Deadline: 15 November 2025 Categories: Natural landscapes, Wildlife, Underwater, Architecture, Fine Art, Human, Lifestyle, Photo Journalism, Technique, Zines and Photo books Prize: €2,000 cash prize for the Photographer of the Year
- Head On Photo Awards Deadline: 27 July 2025 Categories: Series and single image This competition offers various prizes, including a solo exhibition, publication opportunities, and cash awards.
- The Nature Photography Contest for 14 to 17 and 18 to 25-year-olds Deadline: 15 November 2025 Open to photographers aged 14 to 25 years old, this competition offers cash awards, exhibitions, and publication opportunities.
- The KBr Photo Award Deadline: 1 September 2025 This competition offers a solo exhibition at KBr Barcelona and Fundación MAPFRE Madrid, and a catalogue for the winning project.
- The Nature Photography Contest Deadline: 15 November 2025 This contest has categories for Portrait, Landscape, and Exposure.
Each of these competitions offers unique opportunities for photographers to showcase their work and win exciting prizes. So, start preparing your submissions today and make the most of these opportunities!
- Delve into your collection of travel photos and consider entering them in the Sony World Photography Awards 2026, offering global exposure and a cash prize of $25,000.
- If minimalist photography is your passion, the Black and White Minimalist Photography Awards, with cash prizes and exhibition opportunities, could be the perfect platform for you.
- To showcase your video skills in photography, take a look at the AS International Film Photography Awards, offering an AU$80,000 prize pool for film photography.
- To represent your local landscape or community, submit your entries to the Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative Calendar Photography Contest for chance of publication and gift cards.
- For photographers focusing on macro photography, you may want to enter the Nature Photography Contest, with categories for wildlife, natural landscapes, and more.
- To refine your technique in still photography, consider watching a tutorial on mirrorless camera use or other gear, as you prepare for the Sony World Photography Awards 2026 or other competitions.
- To gain approval from the industry, reading a review on a new video camera or lens could provide valuable insights before entering the AS International Film Photography Awards or other competitions.
- If astrophotography or landscape photography is your forte, look into the Wellcome Photography Prize, LensCulture's Street Photography Awards, or the Head On Photo Awards, which all accept submissions in these genres.
- If you're interested in portrait photography, don't miss the prospect of winning the Henri Cartier-Bresson Self-Published PhotoBook Award 2025 or the KBr Photo Award, both open to professional photographers.
- To gain notoriety in documentary photography, consider entering the KBr Photo Award, which also offers a cash prize of €25,000 and the title of "Photographer of the Year."
- If you're a wildlife or nature enthusiast, photographing your favorite food-and-drink, home-and-garden, or lifestyle subjects could lead to success in the Nature Photography Contest or other competitions focused on these themes.
