Capture magazine has officially launched the 18th annual edition of Australasia’s Top Emerging Photographers (ATEP) 2026. The competition, which has spent nearly two decades discovering the next generation of photographic talent across Australia and New Zealand, is now inviting entries from early-career artists and dedicated amateurs.

Since its inception, ATEP has served as a critical launchpad for photographers in the region. The 2026 competition continues this mission by offering a massive prize pool valued at over $27,000, including $9,000 in cash and premium gear like the Fujifilm GFX100S II large-format camera.

The competition defines “emerging” photographers as those with less than four years of professional photography experience, as well as all amateur enthusiasts.

ATEP 2026 features nine distinct categories designed to showcase a broad range of styles and narratives. Most categories require a cohesive portfolio rather than a single image, pushing entrants to demonstrate consistency and storytelling ability.