Whether you are a seasoned photographer, a newbie simply getting began or somebody who loves capturing lovely moments, submitting your photographs to picture competitions is likely one of the greatest methods to realize 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 greatest photographs and refine your private fashion. Many photographers say competitions have been the stepping stone that helped them construct a reputation, develop their viewers or land their first massive characteristic.
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 are accepting submissions from September 2026 till February 2027. It’s a small choice to spark inspiration, however there are numerous others on the market…
The 2026 Arnold Newman Prize
Deadline: September 23
Open to: Photographers of all ranges aged 18 years and older
Fee: $65
Focus: New Directions in Photographic Portraiture
Prizes: $20,000 Grand prize, three finalists obtain a $500 stipend every, all artists acknowledged within the Top Ten will probably be included within the on-line exhibitions hosted by Maine Media, Top Ten will probably be featured in a professionally produced publication celebrating the work of the Prize recipient, three Finalists, and 6 extra photographers acknowledged within the Top Ten.
AAP Magazine #61: Street
Deadline: September 29
Open to: Photographers of all ranges
Fee: Early chicken: $30 for 3 photographs, Regular: $35
Focus: Street pictures
Prizes: $1,000 in money awards, publication in AAP Magazine #61, intensive press protection, and worldwide publicity
Botanical Photographer of the Year
Deadline: September 30
Open to: Photographers of all ranges
Fee: Free
Focus: Britain and Ireland’s wild crops
Categories: Intrepid: Plants in wild, hard-to-reach, or dramatic landscapes, Inquisitive: Close-up pictures highlighting the fascinating and minute options which are usually utilized in ID, Inclusive: People interacting with crops, city botany, or group recording, Open: For entries that fall exterior the above.
Special: Young Botanical Photographer of the Year for an entry into any class, aged 18 or below
Prizes: To be introduced
Fine Art Photography Awards
Deadline: Early deadline: October 11, Final deadline: February 14
Fee: Amateur: Early deadline: 19$ single picture, $24 collection; Professional: $24 single picture, $29 collection, class charge: $10
Open to: Photographers of all ranges
Amateur & Professional classes: Abstract, Architecture, Conceptual, Experimental, Fashion, Fine Art, Landscape, Nature, Night Photography, Nudes, Open Theme, Panoramic, People, Photojournalism, Photomanipulation, Portrait, Seascape, Street Photography, Travel, Wildlife / Animals
Prizes: Amateur: Grand Prize $2,000, Professional: Grand Prize $3,000
Travel Photographer of the Year
Deadline: October 12
Open to: Photographers of all ranges
Fee: From £14, entry is FREE for younger photographers aged 18 and below
Portfolio classes: Adventures & Journeys, Cultures, Traditions & Celebrations, Landscapes – Nature & Urban, Wildlife, Sealife, Birdlife
One Shot classes: In Nature, People of the World, Street, Travel in Black & White,
Special Awards: Travel Photographer of the Year, Young Travel Photographer of the Year, Travel Image of the Year, Rising Talent Award, People’s Choice Award
Prizes: Cash prizes from £1,000 to £200, business portfolio critiques, media publicity, and extra
Wellcome Photography Prize
Deadline: October 21
Open to: Photographers of all ranges
Fee: Free
Focus: Issues on well being, science, and the human expertise
Categories: Striking solo pictures, A storytelling collection, The marvels of scientific and medical imaging
Prize: £10,000 for every Category Winner, 22 entries from throughout the three classes will probably be awarded £1,000 every, intensive worldwide media protection
Insta 360 Global Awards
Deadline: October 30
Fee: Free
Open to: Photographers and videographers of all ranges
Requirement: Entries have to be shot on Insta360 or Antigravity merchandise
Format: Videos: 30sec-3min MP4/MOV, single picture solely below 20MB
Categories: Street, Travel, Life, Portrait, Sports, Night
Prizes: $150,000+ prize pool with over 100 winners to be introduced
World Sports Photography Awards
Deadline: November 23
Fee: Free
Open to: Photographers of all ranges
Eligibility: Up to 10 photographs taken between December 2025 – November 2026
24 classes: American Football, Athletics, Baseball, Basketball, Combat Sports, Cricket, Cycling, Equestrian, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Ice Hockey, Motor Sports, Nautical, Other, Racquet Sports, Rugby, Skate, Special, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Urban & Extreme, Venues, Views & Crowds, Winter Sports
Prizes: Prizes are offered by sponsors of the World Sports Photography Awards, particulars TBA
Sony World Photography Awards
Deadline: November 27 (Student), January 5 (Youth + Single Images), January 12 (Series)
Fee: Free
Open to: Photographers of all ranges
Competitions: Series (beforehand Professional competitors), Single Image (beforehand Open competitors), Student, Youth
Categories: as much as 10 completely different classes relying on competitors
Prizes: Cash prizes as much as $25,000, top-tier Sony tools, and world exhibition alternatives
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
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