Photography Competitions
There are SO many contests and open calls for photographers, we thought we'd try to list a few here as a little database of the ones we know about and when they open. We want to help you find out when & where you can submit your work if you'd like to enter (and how much it might cost you). This page will be updated with new competitions and dates as we find out more.
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It's not always easy to find specific dates of when each round opens so we've tried to include this where possible and will always be adding to this list. Dates included below are approximate and based on previous years.
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The Voice Collection by Click & Co.
The Voice is open to women only. "Through each photographer's unique lens, the Voice Competition & Collection provides a platform for real women to share real stories. With almost 40,000 images entered annually, Voice is one of the most powerful visual documentations by, of, and for women around the world. #SEEHERVOICE"
When: 1st June - 1st July
Cost: Up to 3 images per category FREE, additional images $?
ClickPro members get an additional 10 free entries.
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You have to be a member to enter but they run multiple contests per year and announce worldwide and country rankings at the end of every year.
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Cost: Membership is £100/year which includes 10 general entries per contest plus 3 stories entries (15-20 images) and other benefits.
When: 6 contests per year
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The DFAs run awards 2 or 3 times a year with multiple categories each time (some change while others are always the same, e.g. Real Life seems to stay.)
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Cost: Last year they discounted entry due to Covid: $18 to enter 6 images, $23 for a series and $16 per additional series.
You can often find a code for one free entry as well so do sign up for their updates.
When: The spring 2021 round is opening soon.
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Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year Awards
With multiple categories including a family based round, they accept all sorts of food related photography from studio to documentary.
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Cost: £30 for 5 entries, £6 extra per additional entry.
When: Opens around October until early February each year. (2021 just closed on the 7th Feb)
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Royal Photographic Society Competitions
Various opportunities throughout the year, some are open and some are for members only.
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Cost: International Photography Exhibition costs: One FREE entry, £30 for 4 entries (£24 for members)
Membership costs £122 for individuals (concessions available)
When: Current open call for the International Photography Exhibition closes 27th April 2021.
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From Portraits to Street photography, these are open throughout the year, you can register for updates.
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Cost: One FREE entry, $35 for 5 images, $10 per single entry, $45 for a series of up to 10 images.
When: The current portrait competition closes 17th February 2021.
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1854 Photography Awards (British Journal of Photography)
1854 is home to some of the industry’s most prestigious awards for photographers. These include: Portrait of Humanity, Portrait of Britain, Female in Focus, OpenWalls, BJP International Photography Award, Decade of Change
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Cost: Free entry to all awards for members (membership costs £69/year)
Otherwise 10 single images $35, 1 story $45, 1 video $35 for the Open Walls which is currently open until 9th March 2021.
When: Throughout the year, sign up for notifications.
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The winner is published in Click Magazine.
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Cost: Free
When: Every 2 or 3 months. Current contest, themed Bold Color, ends 10th March.
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Travel Photographer of the Year
"The global travel photography award – your showcase to the world."
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Cost: From £8
When: Opens April 2021
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International Photography Awards​
The International Photography Awards conducts an annual photography competition for professional, non-professional, and student photographers on a global level, creating one of the most ambitious and comprehensive competitions in the photography world today.
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Cost: Single Image: PROS $35.00, Series (2 to 9 images): $60.00, Each Additional Category: 20% off
NON-PRO: Single Image: $25.00, Series (2 to 9 images): $50.00, Each Additional Category: 20% off
When: Currently open until 14th March 2021
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Sony World Photography Awards​
Photographers of all abilities can enter multiple single images to the following categories: Architecture, Culture, Creative, Motion, Landscape, Lifestyle, Natural World & Wildlife, Portraiture, Still Life, Object, Street Photography, and Travel.
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Cost: FREE
When: Open October - January
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Described as “One of the best photography festivals in the world” (Capture Magazine), the annual Belfast Photo Festival provides the perfect platform for gaining exposure to an international audience, with previous editions having welcomed over 100,000 visitors from all over the world.
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Cost: €22/€29
When: Currently open until 5th March 2021
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HIPA - Hamdan International Photography Award
Hamdan International Photography Award is an international photography award, founded in 2011 under the patronage of crown prince of Dubai sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid bin Mohammed al Maktoum. The annual total prize money is $400000 US Dollars is the largest monetary prize among photography awards.
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Cost: FREE
When: Closed 31st January 2021
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Close-Up Photographer of the Year
Close-up Photographer of the Year (CUPOTY) is a celebration of close-up, macro and micro photography – a global competition created to showcase images that help us see the world anew.
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Cost: £10 1 image, £15 up to 3 images
When: Opens 5th February 2021
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Earth Photo is an innovative competition and exhibition developed jointly by Forestry England and the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) which reflects the organisations’ common interest in enabling a better understanding of the world around us through our complementary disciplines of the Environment and Geography.
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Cost: £15 for up to 10 images
When: Not yet open for 2021
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The Nikon Photo Contest has been held by Nikon Corporation since 1969 to provide an opportunity for photographers around the world to communicate and to enrich image-making culture for professionals and amateurs alike.
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Cost: FREE
When: Oct - January/February
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Landscape Photographer of the Year
The Landscape Photographer of the Year competition celebrates all that is great about the British landscape. Competition entries open to all.
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Cost: Single image: £9.99, Up to 8 images: £24.99, Up to 20 images: £34.99
When: 13th January until 14th April 2021
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International Landscape Photographer of the Year
The Landscape Photographer of the Year competition celebrates all that is great about the British landscape. Competition entries open to all.
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Cost: $25 per image (every 5th entry free)
When: Not yet open for 2021
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"International Color Awards is open to professional and amateur photographers shooting in all forms of color photography using traditional or digital methods. We encourage classic styles, new creative ideas and photographers who are driven by their artistic eye and a desire to excel in this classic art form."
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Cost: $35 per image (early bird discounts available)
When: Not yet open for 2021
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"Get International Exposure and Connect with Industry Insiders, Art Collectors and Potential Buyers"
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Cost: $30 for the 3 first images. $5 for each additional image.
When: December - February
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