THE INTERNATIONAL
PHOTO CONTESTS DIRECTORY 2026
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Recommended and Sponsored Calls:

• HONOR

• BBA Prizes & Gallery • Deadline: September 28th, 2027 • Theme: Contemporary Photography • Prize: €300 + Production + Exhibition in Berlin • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE One image.The award is centred around a single photograph rather than an extensive portfolio or complete series. A large body of work is not required to participate, allowing one strong image to serve as the central artistic statement. Open internationally.The BBA One Shot Award welcomes photog

• NANPA + ASMP • Deadline: September 22nd, 2026 • Theme: Nature Photography • Prize: $750 + VIP Package + PetaPixel Feature • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE Showcase is NANPA’s annual juried nature photography competition, offering active NANPA and ASMP Members the opportunity to have their work recognised and shared with a wider audience. Every photograph entered into the competition is evaluated, with 250 images selected to receive recognition. The competition c

• Memorial Maria Luisa • Deadline: December 1st, 2026 • Category: Nature / Adventure Photo & Video • Prize: €4,000 + Exhibition + Accommodation • Entry Fees: Yes (Free under 19yo) • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE Some places are meant to be contemplated. Others are meant to be experienced, felt, and remembered. And then there are those rare moments when a landscape, a gesture, a fleeting encounter, or a beam of light comes together perfectly — and a camera has the power to preserve

• Arrival Gallery • Deadline: October 10th, 2026 • Category: Contemporary Photography • Prize: Exhibition in Amsterdam + Exposure • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE Arrival Gallery is accepting applications for its upcoming exhibition programme in Amsterdam, inviting artists from around the world to showcase their work in a dynamic contemporary gallery setting. The open call welcomes submissions from painters, photographers, sculptors, illustrators, textile artists,

See how photo awards bring exposure, exhibitions, prizes, and skill gains, with a practical checklist and a 320–330 contest directory.

Descubre dónde encontrar concursos de fotografía que se celebran cada mes y cómo elegirlos: calendario curado, plazos, premios y costes para enviar con...

• Vital Impacts • Deadline: November 30th, 2026 • Theme: Environmental Photography • Prize: $20,000 Grant + Mentorship + Exposure • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE Vital Impacts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to using the power of journalism and visual storytelling to amplify the work of communities and individuals protecting people, wildlife, and ecosystems around the world. Through photography, reporting, mentorship, and financial support, the or

• PhotoPlace Gallery • Deadline: October 5th, 2026 • Theme: The Human Experience • Prize: Exhibition in Vermont (USA) + Sales • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE PhotoPlace Gallery invites photographers from around the world to submit their work to The Human Experience, a juried exhibition dedicated to exploring the richness, complexity, and extraordinary diversity of human life. This exhibition seeks to bring together photographs that reflect the many ways we experi

• 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 The story of a life is rarely told through its greatest accomplishments alone. More often, it is revealed through everyday moments, familiar places, lasting relationships, personal rituals, treasured belongings, and experiences that may seem ordinary at first but later become deeply meaningful. Photography ha

Guía práctica para fotógrafos con cifras reales (0 €–60 USD): calcula el coste total de inscripción, decide cuándo merece la pena pagar y filtra...

A contest-to-career workflow for photographers: find curated contests that publish winners, check rights before you enter, and submit a judges-ready entry.

Consulta las convocatorias abiertas de fotografía móvil en 2026, compara plazos, premios y costes (gratis o con cuota) y prepara tu envío a tiempo.

Know when contests need a model release. Get ESIGN compliant templates, a five step workflow to collect and store releases, and a checklist to avoid...

Encuentra concursos de fotografía en Latinoamérica 2026: fichas de convocatorias abiertas, guía para postular y alertas de cierre de inscripción.

Ready to take your sports photography to the next level? Want to fund your passion and projects? Grants can be your golden ticket. They open doors to new gear, travel, and creative freedom. Let’s dive into how to apply for sports photography grants and make your vision a reality. Why Focus on Applying for Sports Photography Grants? Grants are more than just money. They are recognition, encouragement, and a boost to your career. Sports photography is dynamic and demanding. Cap

Protect your entries: which AI edits contests allow, how to keep RAW provenance, and use a tracker that covers 320 competitions.

See who won the 2026 People's Choice Photo Awards, Nuveen's 85,917 vote turnout, and practical publisher backed tactics photographers can use to mobilize...

Descubre convocatorias de autorretrato abiertas, verifica formato, plazos y cesión de derechos, y prepara tu imagen para optar a exposiciones y mayor...

Descubre qué exigen las bases sobre marcas de agua en concursos: cuándo enviar archivos limpios, excepciones y consejos prácticos para participar.

Updated for 2026, this shortlist of US photography contests includes a prospectus checklist and a publisher directory for tracking deadlines.

Descubre concursos de series fotográficas abiertos, requisitos (5–10 imágenes, coherencia y formato técnico) y cómo preparar tu envío a tiempo.

Seven vetted emerging photographer awards for early career photographers; deadlines, fee and rights checks, plus entry tips to help you secure exhibitions.

Guía para creativos: ejemplos reales, lista de 6 comprobaciones para evitar descalificaciones y un directorio curado con cientos de convocatorias.

Participar en concursos con exposición itinerante da visibilidad en distintas sedes, con producción, comisariado y premio; ver plazos y bases.

Seven vetted prestigious photography awards and what winners get: cash, exhibitions, press; how contests get verified and deadlines tracked.

Explore 320–330 open photo essay contests, exact image count rules, student fee waivers, and practical editing tips. Weekly contest directory included.

Ready to enter a photo contest? Great! But wait - before you hit that submit button, pause. There’s a lot to prepare. I’ve been there, and I know how easy it is to overlook small details that can make or break your entry. This contest application preparation guide will walk you through every step to ensure your submission shines. Let’s dive in and get your application flawless. Start with the Basics: Know the Contest Inside Out Every photo contest has its own vibe, rules, and

Convocatorias 2025–2026 que aceptan IA, con dónde postular, documentación mínima y consejos éticos para preparar tu candidatura correctamente.

Ensure contests return your prints: include a filled shipping form and prepaid return label, plus archival sleeves, rigid backing, tracking.

Photographers: compare five leading astrophotography contests, learn contest metadata and capture date rules, and track over 320 competitions and...

• Decode Gallery • Deadline: September 18th, 2026 • Category: Self-Portrait Photography • Prize: Exhibition in Tucson + Sales + Exposure • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE We invite photographers to take part in our Self Portrait Photography Call, celebrating the personal stories, emotions, and creative visions that can emerge when the photographer becomes the subject. A self portrait is an opportunity to pause and look inward. It can be a reflection of identity, a

• Pispa • Deadline: November 30th, 2026 • Category: Street Photography • Prize: $3,000 + Exhibition + Publication • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE The Paris International Street Photo Awards (PISPA) 2026 is an international photography competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating exceptional work in the field of street photography. The competition invites photographers from around the world to submit either individual photographs or cohesive photo series t

• Castelfiorentino For the Arts • Deadline: October 15th, 2026 • Theme: Contemporary Photography • Prize: €3,000 + Exhibition in Italy + Publication • Entry Fees: Free • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE "Raccont'arti" is an international open call, free of charge, dedicated to photographers and visual artists whose practices engage with the expanding possibilities of contemporary photography. More than a competition, the initiative serves as a platform for mapping current artistic re

• BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation)

• Decagon Gallery • Deadline: November 17th, 2026 • Theme: Self • Prize: $1,000 Prize Pool + Online Exhibition • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE Some photographs are created to show us something about the world around us. Others turn the camera inward, becoming a way to search, question, and discover something about the person behind the lens. SELF is an exhibition dedicated to the second kind: photographs born from introspection, vulnerability, and the often compl

• All About Photo • Deadline: September 29th, 2026 • Theme: Street Photography • Prize: $1,000 + Online Exhibition + Exposure • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE The streets are constantly changing. People pass one another without knowing that their movements, expressions and gestures may become part of a story lasting only a few seconds. Light shifts across buildings, crowds appear and disappear, and unexpected moments emerge without warning. Street photography is a

• New York Center for Photographic Arts • Deadline: October 18th, 2026 • Category: Monochrome Photography • Prize: $4,000 Prize Pool + Online Exhibition • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE KODAK. ILFORD. FUJI. For many photographers, these names evoke an entire era of image-making—rolls of film carefully loaded into cameras, exposures thoughtfully considered, negatives developed by hand, and prints brought to life beneath the glow of a darkroom safelight. Shooting, d

• Decagon Gallery • Deadline: September 15th, 2026 • Theme: Something Like Joy • Prize: $1,000 Prize Pool + Online Exhibition • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE Forget the perfectly posed smile or the carefully staged scene. Something Like Joy is searching for photographs that capture the kind of happiness that can't be planned—the unexpected moments that appear naturally and leave a lasting impression. It might be the golden light transforming an ordinary street, a

• Musa Award • Deadline: November 21st, 2026 • Theme: Reclaiming • Prize: €200 + Production & Exhibitions in Italy • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE The Musa Award is an international photography award dedicated to supporting and promoting the creation of photographic portfolios. Open exclusively to female photographers, the award welcomes participants at every stage of their careers, with no distinction between amateur and professional photographers. Submissions a

• Chennai Photo Biennale Powered by Sigma • Deadline: October 31st, 2026 • Theme: Open • Prize: Exhibition in Chennai (India) + Promotion • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE The Chennai Photo Biennale International Photography Open Call welcomes photographers from across the globe to submit their work for an opportunity to participate in an internationally recognized platform for contemporary photography. Artists can enter either a single photograph or a cohesive pho

• Fotografia Calabria Festival • Deadline: November 15th, 2027 • Theme: Open • Prize: €2,000 + €1,000 + Publication + Exhibition • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE For the first time, the competition does not impose a specific theme, opening the field to the photographers’ individual perspectives, interests and creative visions. Rather than directing participants towards a particular subject, we wish to create a space in which each photographer can define the focus

• NANPA + ASMP • Deadline: September 22nd, 2026 • Theme: Nature Photography • Prize: $750 + VIP Package + PetaPixel Feature • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE Showcase is NANPA’s annual juried competition celebrating outstanding nature photography and the photographers who bring the natural world into focus. Open to active NANPA and ASMP Members, the competition offers participants the opportunity to submit their work for professional evaluation and gain recognition

• Form Photography • Deadline: October 31st, 2026 • Category: Contemporary Photography • Prize: Exhibition @ UNSEEN during Art Rotterdam • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE Supported by UNSEEN, Picter, and Form Magazine, we are proud to present the Form Photo Award x UNSEEN 2027—an annual international award dedicated to discovering and championing the next generation of contemporary photographers. Created to celebrate bold artistic vision and thoughtful photographic

• All About Photo • Deadline: September 22nd, 2026 • Theme: Open • Prize: Solo Online Exhibition + Exposure • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE The Solo Exhibition is an opportunity for photographers to share work that captures attention and stays with the viewer. The competition celebrates photography that sparks imagination, inspires new ways of seeing the world or simply creates a powerful sense of recognition and connection. Through the platform’s independent onl

• 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 is focused on the power of a single, definitive photograph — an image capable of capturing attention, creating an immediate impression, and standing independently as a complete artistic statement. Designed as an accessible international open call, the award

• Black Box Gallery • Deadline: September 10th, 2026 • Category: B&W Photography • Prize: Exhibition in Portland (USA) + Sales • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE Black Box Gallery is excited to present a new juried group photography exhibition devoted to the rich visual language of black and white photography. For generations, photographers have turned to black and white to create images that are powerful, atmospheric, sophisticated, and emotionally resonant. The di

• Arrival Gallery • Deadline: November 1st, 2026 • Category: contemporary Photography • Prize: Exhibition in London (UK) + Exposure • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE Arrival Gallery is delighted to invite artists to submit their work for consideration in its upcoming London exhibition programme, offering a platform for a diverse selection of contemporary creative voices. The gallery welcomes submissions from both emerging and established artists who bring a distinc

• 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 welcomes photographers of all experience levels, along with passionate travelers and adventurers, to showcase their finest travel photography from countries across the world. The competition celebrates the spirit of exploration, encouraging participants to share images that

• Umbra International Photography Awards • Deadline: September 30th, 2026 • Theme: Several Categories • Prize: Statues + Medals + Certificates • Entry Fees: Yes • REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE The Umbra Awards 2026 return for their fourth edition, inviting photographers from across the globe to participate in an international competition that celebrates creativity, innovation, and excellence in photography. The Umbra International Photography Awards™ recognize photographers whose