Od Photo Prize 2026 Open Call

• Open Doors Gallery (London)

• Deadline: August 12th, 2026

• Category: Contemporary Photography

• Prize: £2,000 + Exhibition in London + Interview

• Entry Fees: Yes

• REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE

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Open Doors Gallery is pleased to announce the sixth edition of the OD Photo Prize, our annual international open call dedicated to discovering and supporting emerging artists working within the first ten years of their photographic practice. Established as a platform for identifying exceptional new voices in contemporary photography, the prize reflects the gallery's long-standing commitment to nurturing artistic talent and creating meaningful opportunities for career development.

For more than a decade, Open Doors Gallery has built a reputation for championing early-career artists whose work challenges, expands, and redefines the possibilities of the photographic medium. Through a diverse programme of exhibitions, pop-up presentations, and participation in international art fairs, the gallery has introduced audiences to a wide range of innovative practitioners. From the sculptural interventions of Kensuke Koike and the compelling portraiture of Marisol Mendez to the experimental visual approaches of Wysocka / Pogo and Sander Coers, Open Doors Gallery has consistently sought out artists with distinctive perspectives and strong creative voices.

The OD Photo Prize extends this mission on a global scale. Rather than limiting submissions to a specific theme, the prize remains intentionally open in order to embrace the full diversity of contemporary photographic practice. We believe that some of the most exciting artistic discoveries emerge when photographers are given the freedom to present work that is authentic to their vision and concerns. As a result, the prize has attracted an increasingly international audience, with more than 1,200 projects submitted from over 70 countries during the previous edition alone.

The impact of the prize extends well beyond the announcement of the winner. At its core, the OD Photo Prize is designed to foster lasting relationships between artists and the gallery. We view the award not simply as a competition, but as a platform for mentorship, visibility, and professional growth. Many past participants have gone on to develop ongoing collaborations with Open Doors Gallery, while others have secured exhibition opportunities, representation, and broader recognition within the contemporary photography community.

This open call welcomes photographers and lens-based artists working across all approaches and genres. We embrace traditional documentary and street photography alongside conceptual, experimental, mixed-media, and interdisciplinary practices. Whether rooted in storytelling, abstraction, personal narrative, or visual experimentation, the work we seek is united by a strong artistic vision, thoughtful execution, and a clearly defined voice.

This year's shortlisted artists will be invited to participate in a group exhibition hosted by Open Doors Gallery in London. The exhibition will present a curated selection of finalist works, offering artists valuable exposure to collectors, curators, critics, and photography enthusiasts. Selected works will also be available for sale both online and at the exhibition, with profits shared directly with the artists. Importantly, all entrants retain full copyright of their work throughout the process.

In addition to the main prize, finalists will be considered for several special awards selected by an esteemed panel of industry professionals. These include the Judges' Picks Awards, the InCadaqués Award, which provides one artist with a solo presentation at the renowned Spanish photography festival, and the AJ Page Award, selected through public voting. Together, these opportunities reflect the gallery's ongoing commitment to providing practical pathways for emerging photographers to advance their careers and connect with new audiences worldwide.