Whether you are a seasoned photographer, a newbie simply getting began or somebody who loves capturing stunning moments, submitting your pictures to picture competitions is without doubt one of the finest methods to achieve publicity and recognition.
Entering competitions is not nearly successful – although prizes and publicity are nice bonuses! It’s additionally an opportunity to dive into your archives, rediscover your finest pictures and refine your private type. Many photographers say competitions had been the stepping stone that helped them construct a reputation, develop their viewers or land their first massive function.
And with so many open calls throughout all genres – there’s one thing for everybody. So, this is an inventory of pictures competitions with open calls which might be accepting submissions from May till December 2026. It’s a small choice to spark inspiration, however there are numerous others on the market…
Article continues under
Jalón Ángel Photography Awards 2026
Deadline: May 4
Open to: Photographers of all ranges
Fee: Free
Categories: Portrait, Travel, Migration and borders
Prizes: Category winners obtain every €1,500
Virginia Prize 2026
Deadline: May 7
Open to: Women photographers of all ranges
Fee: Free
Topic: Free theme, Series of 12-18 pictures required
Prizes: Overall winner: €10,000
Le Prix de la Photographie de Paris (PX3)
Deadline: May 13, Final: July 22
Open to: Photographers of all ranges
Fee: €30 for single pictures, €50 for sequence (professionals), €20 for single pictures, €40 for sequence (amateurs and college students), reductions for a number of classes
Categories: Advertising, Analog, Architecture, Book, Fine Art, Nature, Portraiture, Press
Prizes: Up to €11,500 in money prizes, exhibitions in Paris, Athens, Ostuni & Budapest, publication within the PX3 Annual Book, in depth world publicity
MonoVisions Photography Awards
Deadline: May 17
Open to: Photographers of all ranges
Fee: Early: single picture $20, sequence $25, Final: single picture $25, sequence $30
Categories: Abstract, Architecture, Conceptual, Fine Art, Landscapes, Nature and Wildlife, Nude, People, Photojournalism, Portrait, Street Photography, Travel
Prizes: B&W Series of the Year: $3,000, B&W Photo of the Year: $2,000
HIPA 2026 (Richest Photography Award)
Deadline: May 31
Open to: Photographers of all ranges
Fee: Free
Categories: Families, Dreams Through AI, Sports Photography, Portfolio (Story-telling), General (B&W + Color)
Prizes: Grand Prize: $200,000, Category Prizes: $40,000-$20,000, Portfolio Prize: $50,000-$30,000, Photographer of the Year: $80,000, Content Creator Award: $50,000, Appreciation Award: $100,000
photoED journal
Deadline: June 15
Open to: Photographers of all ranges, worldwide exclusions: Residents of Russia, the Republic of Belarus and sanctioned nations (ie. Cuba, North Korea…)
Fee: Free for members, basic submissions CAN$20
Theme: Home VS Away, “Fine art photography projects that present the idea of HOME, an experience of AWAY, or a juxtaposition the two”
Publication: Issue #76 of photoED journal
Epson International Pano Awards
Deadline: Early chicken: June 22, Final: July 13
Open to: Photographers of all ranges
Awards: Amateur, Open, VR/360
Fee: Depends on class, $20-$22 per picture
Categories: Amateur Awards & Open Awards: Nature/ Landscapes, Aerial, Built Environment. VR/360 Awards: Open VR/360
Prizes: TBA (final yr’s prize pool was price over $50,000)
Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Deadline: June 30
Open to: Photographers of all ranges
Fee: Free
Categories: Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Insects, Fish and different Aquatic Species, Nikon Young Photographer (25 years and underneath), Nikon Junior (16 years and underneath), Portfolio, Nikon Video, Photo People’s Choice
Prizes: Nikon Category winners: Nikon gear, class winners: premium ThinkTANK digicam bag+ Amazing Internet web site, prime entrants have the prospect to win a safari within the Maasai Mara, Kenya, hosted by Alex Walker’s Serian
Brian Black Memorial Award
Note: The Digital Camera World group will be part of the judging panel
Deadline: August 30
Open to: Photographers of all ranges dwelling within the UK
Fee: Free
Theme: “Our Inspiring Seas”
Categories: Adult picture competitors, Article competitors, Junior picture competitors (underneath 16 years)
Prizes: £3,000 prize pool – Winning article: £1,500 money prize, publication in Yachting Monthly (print+on-line), interview on The Sailing Podcast; Adult picture competitors: digicam gear price £750; Junior picture competitors: digicam gear price £500
Charity contribution: The Black Memorial Award donates £500 to Sea-Changers.
OPPO Photography Awards
Deadline: December 31
Open to: Photographers and videographers of all levels, shooting with OPPO, OnePlus, or realme devices
Fee: Free
Theme: “Super Every Moment”
Categories: Me, Journey, Video, Zoom, Live, Snap
Prizes: $76,500 prize pool across 38 awards – Gold Award (1): $20,000, Silver Award (2):$8,000, Bronze Award (3): $3,000, Honorable Mention photo categories (15): $1,000, Honorable Mention video categories (3): $1,500, Regional Award (10): $1,000, Audience’s Choice (4): $500
You might like…
For even more inspiration, browse the best photography awards and contests.