Photographers have lower than two weeks remaining to submit work to the London Camera Exchange Photographer of the Year 2026 contest, with entries closing at midnight on January 21. The competitors, now in its third yr, has a £10,000 (roughly £13,400 / AU$20,000) prize fund and is free to enter for photographers of any expertise degree.
The contest has grown considerably since its 2024 launch, when it attracted over 13,000 entries. This yr’s occasion options 14 classes spanning wildlife, panorama, portrait, road and specialist genres together with an ‘Emerging Talent’ class particularly for images college students.
And it is properly price getting into. The general winner receives £2,500 ($3,400 / AU$5,000) in LCE vouchers alongside a trophy, whereas all class winners share the overall prize fund. Plus, past the monetary compensation, shortlisted photographers will see their work displayed at The Photography & Video Show at the NEC Birmingham in England in March 2026, and published in a commemorative book.
Judges’ advice
The judging panel has offered practical guidance for photographers considering entry. Angela Nicholson, founder of SheClicks and an skilled images journalist, emphasizes authenticity over technical perfection.
“As a judge, I’m drawn to images that reflect the photographer’s interpretation of a scene and their connection with the subject,” she explains. “I’m looking for a creative vision, thoughtful use of light, technique and composition, and photographs that feel personal, expressive and intentional.”
Portrait and journey documentary photographer Jimmy Cheng takes the same method. “Aside from technical brilliance, I will be looking for images that express emotions and creative presentation,” he notes, suggesting that highly effective storytelling can trump pixel-peeping.
Lee Harasyn, managing director of LCE, echoes this emphasis on a stability between craft and influence.
“I’m naturally drawn to great technique, but sometimes a photographer can capture an image so powerful that this becomes irrelevant,” he says. “The best photos connect with the viewer – and that’s what I’m hoping to find.”
How to enter
Entries can be submitted online at poty.lcegroup.co.uk or in individual at any of London Camera Exchange’s 26 shops throughout the United Kingdom. While photographers worldwide can enter, prizes are solely out there to UK residents aged 18 and over. Full phrases, circumstances and retailer areas can be found on the LCE web site.
With the clock ticking all the way down to the January 21 deadline, now’s the time to assessment your portfolios and choose your strongest work. The recommendation from the judging panel is obvious: prioritize photographs that talk one thing significant, whether or not by means of distinctive method, emotional resonance, or a contemporary perspective on acquainted topics.
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