The categories for photography competitions come in all shapes and sizes from wildlife and nature, to portraiture, landscape, and even astronomy and abstraction. Artists working in photography may avoid competitions as they’re seen as too commercial, but an award can bring your work to an international audience and offer a welcome cash prize.
You can find more competitions in our latest guide to the best 2024 international competitions
Explore our advice on how to win art competitions.
Fine Art Photo Award
This long-running photography competition is firmly in the Fine Art category, claiming to be the only photography award of its kind. It’s open to a wide range of styles and skill levels who express a unique and genuine response to the world around them. There’s a title and $5,000 in cash prizes up for grabs.
More info: https://fineartphotoawards.com/
Sony World Photography Awards
This is the big one when it comes to annual photography awards. A first prize of $25,000 will be presented to the Photographer of the Year, plus there are prizes in the Student, Youth and Open Photographers of the Year categories.
More info: https://www.worldphoto.org/sony-world-photography-awards
The Royal Photographic Society
The art of photography is well into its third century (that’s not including the Renaissance’s camera obscura), and the Royal Photographic Society is now approaching its 165th year. The world’s longest-running contemporary photography exhibition aims to celebrate the educational charity’s mission to “bring photography to everyone.” The competitions include cash and the chance to exhibit at its Bristol, UK, home.
More info: https://rps.org/opportunities/ipe-164/
LensCulture Portrait Photographer of the Year
This annual photography competition discovers and rewards more than 30 photographers around the globe each year who are making exceptional photographic portraits. There are cash prizes, a chance to feature in LensCulture magazine and a place in an exhibition up for grabs. The organizers are very proud of their success rate with many previous winners who have gone on to successful careers.
More info: https://www.lensculture.com/photo-competitions/portrait-awards/2024
iPhone Photography Awards
Once a newbie competition, the iPhone Photography Awards is now in its 17th year. Mobile phone cameras have long boasted many of the best features of the most expensive digital cameras, and this awards celebrates their potential. Be inspired by some of the most recent winners and start capturing your world. Categories include everything from abstract, animals, and architecture, to landscape, lifestyle and portrait. And if you can’t decide, there’s a triptych (3 images) category.
More info: https://www.ippawards.com/?v=3e8d115eb4b3
Earth Photo
Established in 2018, the Earth Photo competition quickly became one of the most talked about competitions. It challenges still and moving image makers to explore working across all genres, to stimulate conversations about our environment and the impact of climate change.
More info: https://www.earthphoto.world/
Feeling inspired?
Get started in the world of art competitions with our pick of Monthly competitions that will raise your profile
If you dabble in painting, check out our list of The best painting competitions or take a look at our pick of The best drawing competitions
Don’t forget to sign up for our free newsletter, which features new competitions weekly.
