THE INTERNATIONAL PHOTO CONTESTS DIRECTORY 2026

• Decagon Gallery • Deadline: October 10th, 2026 • Theme: The Shape of a Life • Prize: $1,000 Prize Pool + Online Exhibition • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE Lives are not defined solely by significant events or major turning points. Instead, they are formed through countless everyday experiences—the familiar streets we walk, the people we cherish, the work that occupies our time, the possessions we hold onto, and the quiet moments that may seem insignificant unti

• P.M.O.H. • Deadline: October 15th, 2026 • Theme: Open • Prize: €10,000 + Solo Exhibitions in Italy • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE Celebrating its 10th edition, the PhMuseum Women Photographers Grant continues its mission to empower female and non-binary photographers from around the world, regardless of age, background, or photographic specialization. The Grant is designed to support both emerging talents and established professionals by providing recognition,

• Arrival Gallery • Deadline: October 10th, 2026 • Category: Contemporary Photography • Prize: Exhibition in Amsterdam + Exposure • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE Artists across a broad spectrum of visual disciplines are invited to apply for Arrival Gallery's exhibition programme in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The gallery welcomes submissions from painters, photographers, sculptors, illustrators, textile artists, mixed media artists, and digital creators whose work de

• BCNDH / Mas Retina • Deadline: October 9th, 2026 • Theme: Human Rights and Global Justice • Prize: €3,000 + 3x€400 + Exhibition in Spain • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE Following the jury's evaluation, ten outstanding projects will be selected for inclusion in the festival. These projects will be given prominent visibility through a public exhibition held across the streets of Barcelona, transforming the city into an open-air setting for the presentation of the

• Hotusa Group • Theme: Barcelona, World Capital of Architecture • Deadline: October 20th, 2026 • Prize: €5,000 + 1-Night Stay • Entry Fee: Free • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE Hotusa Group invites photographers from around the world—both emerging and established—to participate in the 24th Eurostars Grand Marina Photography Award Josep Juanpere 2026. This year’s edition challenges participants to create photographic triptychs inspired by the theme “Barcelona, World Capital of Arch

• Decode Gallery • Deadline: October 16th, 2026 • Theme: Southwest • Prize: Exhibition in Tucson + Sales + Exposure • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE The American Southwest offers an extraordinary wealth of photographic inspiration, from vast desert horizons and striking natural formations to centuries-old traditions and the diverse communities that call the region home. Photographers are invited to submit their images to this juried exhibition at Decode Gallery,

• SEE:ZEEN Magazine • Deadline: October 18th, 2026 • Category: Contemporary Photography • Prize: Publication + Exposure • Entry Fees: Free • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE Photographers from anywhere in the world are invited to submit. see-zeen** welcomes photography without boundaries. We are interested in images that come from different perspectives, experiences, cultures, and ways of seeing. There is no single definition of what photography should be here, and no specific genre

• World Street Photo Awards • Deadline: October 10th, 2026 • Category: Street Photography • Prize: €2,500 Prize Pool + Online Exhibition • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE The street is constantly changing. People pass one another, stories intersect, gestures appear and disappear, light transforms familiar places, and extraordinary moments emerge without warning. Street photography is the art of being present for those moments—of recognizing something meaningful in

• P.M.O.H. • Deadline: October 15th, 2026 • Theme: Open • Prize: €10,000 + Solo Exhibitions in Italy • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE Now in its 10th edition, the PhMuseum Women Photographers Grant is an international initiative dedicated to supporting and empowering the careers of female and non-binary photographers and visual artists working across a wide range of photographic practices. Open to professionals of all ages and from all countries, the Grant provide

• Tloupas Path • Deadline: October 15th, 2026 • Category: Renaissance • Prize: Exhibition in Greece + Gift + Exposure • Entry Fees: Free • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE TLOUPAS PATH – Photography Award of Thessaly's Heritage is an international photography competition and festival held in Larissa, Greece, celebrating the legacy of the distinguished Greek photographer Takis Tloupas. At its heart, the project is an invitation to look more carefully at the world around us: at the lan

• PhotoPlace Gallery • Deadline: October 5th, 2026 • Theme: The Human Experience • Prize: Exhibition in Vermont (USA) + Sales • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE PhotoPlace Gallery is pleased to invite photographers to submit work to The Human Experience, a juried exhibition examining the many dimensions of human life and the diverse ways photography can document, interpret, and communicate them. The exhibition is open to a wide range of photographic approaches and e

• Homiens • Deadline: October 29th, 2026 • Category: Art and Photography • Prize: $24,000 Awarded Annually + Exhibition • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE The Homiens Art Prize is designed for artists who are ready to take the next step in their careers, whether they are emerging creatives looking for their first major international opportunity or established professionals seeking new audiences and greater recognition. More than simply an art competition, the prize

• FotoContest • Deadline: October 31st, 2026 • Category: Black and White Photography • Prize: €500 in Cash + Exposure • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE Photographers are invited to submit their best black-and-white images for this photography competition dedicated to the expressive power of monochrome photography. The theme, Black and White, encourages participants to explore the artistic possibilities of light, shadow, contrast, texture, and composition. From str

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• Dusk Photo Gallery • Deadline: October 22nd, 2026 • Theme: Human • Prize: Exhibition in Santa Fe (USA) + Sales • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE Photographers are invited to submit images that explore the many dimensions of what it means to be human. This open call seeks photographs that go beyond appearances, capturing the emotions, experiences, and subtle details that shape our everyday lives. From quiet moments of reflection and unguarded expressions to sponta

• Rotterdam Photo • Deadline: October 4th, 2026 • Theme: Vibrance, The Pulse of a Living World • Prize: Exhibition at the Rotterdam Photo Festival • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE Vibrance, the theme of Rotterdam Photo, invites photographers to explore a different perspective on the contemporary world, moving beyond narratives dominated by crisis, uncertainty, and conflict. Rather than overlooking the challenges that shape our time, the festival seeks to highlight

• Black Box Gallery • Deadline: October 9th, 2026 • Category: Shadow and Light • Prize: Exhibition in Portland (USA) + Sales • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE Black Box Gallery is excited to present a juried group exhibition dedicated to one of photography's most fundamental and expressive subjects: Shadow and Light. From the earliest days of the medium, photographers have explored the delicate balance between illumination and darkness, discovering how the interac

• AKC American Kennel Club • Deadline: October 31st, 2026 • Theme: The Great Outdoors • Prize: $1,000 Prize Pool + Online Exhibition • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE The 2026 AKC Photo Contest welcomes participation from both experienced photographers and those seeking to further develop their skills. Centered around the theme “The Great Outdoors,” this year’s competition highlights imagery that reflects outdoor landscapes, environments, and moments connected to n

• TPOTY • Deadline: October 12th, 2026 • Category: People, Wildlife, Underwater, Street, B&W, Landscape, Adventure, Color... • Prize: Total Prizes £50K (£10K Cash) + Exposure • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) is an awards competition with a difference: it is run by photographers, for photographers. From the very beginning, TPOTY has been about celebrating the people behind the images and giving photographers from across the

• Decode Gallery • Deadline: October 16th, 2026 • Theme: Southwest • Prize: Exhibition in Tucson + Sales + Exposure • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE Photographers are invited to submit their work for this juried exhibition dedicated to exploring the diverse landscapes, cultures, and stories of the American Southwest. The exhibition seeks to bring together a wide range of photographic perspectives, celebrating the region’s distinctive natural beauty, cultural heri

• ILPOTY • Deadline: October 31st, 2026 • Theme: Landscape Photography • Prize: $12,500 Prize Pool + Expo + Publication • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE What makes a great landscape photograph? Is it technical perfection, artistic vision, the perfect moment—or simply an image that stays with you long after you have seen it? In reality, photography competitions are influenced by all of these things, as well as the personal preferences of the judges. When thousands

• Evi Mono • Deadline: October 1st, 2026 • Theme: Two Generations. One Story. Women. • Prize: Online Presentation + Exposure • Entry Fees: Free • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE The EVI MONO AWARDS is a new international award dedicated to monochrome photography that places women and their stories at the center of its vision. Open to photographers from around the globe, the competition encourages artists to use black and white photography as a powerful medium for exploring the richn

• BCNDH / Mas Retina • Deadline: October 9th, 2026 • Theme: Human Rights and Global Justice • Prize: €3,000 + 3x€400 + Exhibition in Spain • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE The ten projects chosen by the jury will become an integral part of the festival programme and will be showcased throughout Barcelona during the event. Selected works will be exhibited in public spaces and on the streets of the city, giving participants the unique opportunity to present their id

• Most Traveled People • Deadline: September 30th, 2026 • Category: Travel Photography • Prize: MTP Ticket + €800 Travel Voucher • Entry Fees: Free for MTP Registered Members • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE MTP invites photographers and travel lovers everywhere to submit outstanding photographs that capture the essence of exploration across every country and region of the world. This competition celebrates the power of travel photography to connect people through stories of discov

• Global Lens • Deadline: September 30th, 2026 • Category: Several Categories • Prize: $1,000 + Exhibition + Publication • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE Global Lens Photography Awards 2026 celebrates photographic excellence across virtually every genre of contemporary photography, inviting emerging and established photographers from around the globe to share their most compelling work. The competition features an extensive category system designed to accommodate

• Le Stanze della Fotografia • Deadline: September 30th, 2026 • Theme: Stories related to the theme of water • Prize: Exhibition in Venice (Italy) • Entry Fees: Free • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE The Le Stanze della Fotografia Foundation, in partnership with the Association for the Heritage of the Prosecco Hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, presents a new project centered on the relationship between cultural heritage and visual storytelling. As part of the initiative, a free

• All About Photo • Deadline: September 29th, 2026 • Theme: Street Photography • Prize: $1,000 + Online Exhibition + Exposure • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE The street never stops speaking. Its stories appear in a fraction of a second and disappear just as quickly: a face reflected in a shop window, a shadow crossing an unfamiliar street, two strangers sharing an unexpected moment, the intensity of a crowded afternoon or the stillness of the city after midnight.

• BBA Prizes & Gallery • Deadline: September 28th, 2027 • Theme: Contemporary Photography • Prize: €300 + Production + Exhibition in Berlin • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE The BBA One Shot Award Autumn Edition places a simple idea at the centre of its format: one photograph can carry significant artistic impact. Rather than requiring photographers to submit extensive portfolios or developed series, the award focuses on the ability of a single frame to communicate

• FotoContest • Deadline: September 30th, 2026 • Category: Black and White Photography • Prize: €500 in Cash + Exposure • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE The contest is dedicated to black-and-white photography, inviting photographers to submit their strongest monochrome images. The theme focuses on the visual possibilities of working without colour, highlighting elements such as light, shadow, contrast, texture, composition, atmosphere, and subject matter. Entries

• Umbra International Photography Awards • Deadline: September 30th, 2026 • Theme: Several Categories • Prize: Statues + Medals + Certificates • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE The 4th Edition of the Umbra Awards 2026 welcomes photographers of all backgrounds to take part in an international celebration of photographic excellence. Recognized as one of the world's respected photography competitions, the Umbra International Photography Awards™ honor artists whose ima

• PhotoPlace Gallery • Deadline: October 5th, 2026 • Theme: The Human Experience • Prize: Exhibition in Vermont (USA) + Sales • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE What does it mean to be human? It can be found in a fleeting glance between strangers, a family gathered around a table, a worker finishing a long day, a celebration shared by a community, or the quiet traces someone leaves behind. It can emerge through moments of joy, grief, resilience, uncertainty, connect

• Fabula Works • Deadline: November 15th, 2026 • Category: Lines • Prize: Exhibition in Rome (Italy) + Sales • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE The organisers are currently seeking two photographers to be selected for inclusion in their first exhibition of 2027. For this open call, photographers are invited to interpret the theme “Lines” freely and from any artistic or conceptual perspective. The theme is intentionally open-ended, allowing participants to explore th

• SEE:ZEEN Magazine • Deadline: October 18th, 2026 • Category: Contemporary Photography • Prize: Publication + Exposure • Entry Fees: Free • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE Anyone, from anywhere in the world, can submit. see-zeen** is open to every kind of photographic expression. There are no restrictions on theme, style, genre, or visual language. Whether your work is rooted in portraiture, landscape, documentary, fashion, street photography, conceptual practice, abstraction, or s

• Homiens • Deadline: October 29th, 2026 • Category: Art and Photography • Prize: $24,000 Awarded Annually + Exhibition • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE Whether you are an emerging artist looking for a significant opportunity to establish your career or an established professional seeking greater international recognition, the Homiens Art Prize offers a prestigious platform designed to support artistic careers and connect outstanding artists with a wider professio

• Seeing Happy • Deadline: October 15th, 2026 • Theme: Images of Peace • Prize: Exhibition in Warsaw (Poland) • Entry Fees: Free • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE Peace means something different to everyone. It can be a moment of silence, the warmth of a familiar place, the presence of someone we love, a landscape untouched by noise, or simply the hope of a better tomorrow. Images of Peace is an international photography showcase created to explore these countless interpretations th

• Black Box Gallery • Deadline: October 9th, 2026 • Category: Shadow and Light • Prize: Exhibition in Portland (USA) + Sales • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE Black Box Gallery is pleased to announce a juried group photography exhibition exploring the theme of Shadow and Light. At the heart of photography lies the relationship between darkness and illumination: the ways in which light reveals, conceals, defines and transforms the subjects within an image. Through

• Tloupas Path • Deadline: October 15th, 2026 • Category: Renaissance • Prize: Exhibition in Greece + Gift + Exposure • Entry Fees: Free • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE TLOUPAS PATH – Photography Award of Thessaly's Heritage is an international photography competition and festival based in Larissa, Greece, created to honour the enduring legacy of the renowned Greek photographer Takis Tloupas. Rooted in the rich cultural heritage of Thessaly, the initiative brings together photogra

• KYOTOGRAPHIE + KG + • Deadline: October 10th, 2026 • Theme: Open • Prize: JPY 500,000 Grant + Exhibition in Kyoto • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE KG＋SELECT 2027 offers photographers and visual artists a unique opportunity to bring their work to Kyoto and become part of an internationally celebrated photography festival. Open to artists ready to share their vision with a wider audience, the program will select approximately ten finalists through a professional j

• TPOTY • Deadline: October 12th, 2026 • Category: People, Wildlife, Underwater, Street, B&W, Landscape, Adventure, Color... • Prize: Total Prizes £50K (£10K Cash) + Exposure • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE The Travel Photographer of the Year Awards (TPOTY) is a truly global photography competition created by photographers, for photographers. It celebrates the incredible diversity of travel photography and welcomes photographers from every corner of the world. W

• BCNDH / Mas Retina • Deadline: October 9th, 2026 • Theme: Human Rights and Global Justice • Prize: €3,000 + 3x€400 + Exhibition in Spain • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE The ten projects selected by the jury will have the opportunity to be presented to the public during the festival through an exhibition in the streets of Barcelona. This outdoor exhibition will allow the selected works to become part of the city’s cultural landscape and to reach both festival vi