Whether you're a seasoned photographer, a beginner just getting started or simply someone who loves capturing beautiful moments, submitting your work to photography competitions is one of the best ways to gain exposure and recognition.
Entering competitions isn't just about winning – though prizes and publicity are great bonuses! It's also a chance to dive into your archives, rediscover your best images and refine your personal style. Even if you don't make the shortlist, the experience itself is rewarding and can push your photography to the next level.
In fact, many photographers say competitions were the stepping stone that helped them build a name, grow their audience or land their first big feature. And with so many open calls across all genres – from astrophotography and macro, to wildlife, travel, food, portrait, or conceptual photography – there's something for everyone.
The best part is that most competitions offer multiple categories, so you're likely to find a perfect match for your work. To help you get started, I've put together a list of photography competitions with open calls that are accepting submissions from December until May next year. It's a small selection to spark inspiration, but there are countless others out there…
Belfast Photo Festival
Deadline: Early: December 31, Final: March 2
Open to: Photographers, artists, curators, archives, and collectives from anywhere in the world
Focus: “The theme for the 2026 Open Submission has been left open to interpretation, therefore removing any restrictions in regards to theme, concept or approach of a photographer or artist’s work”
Fee: For single Project/Body of Work/Photo-book: Early bird £22 / Standard £26
Exposure: Vast international press coverage from publications and media outlets around the world. Winners, finalists and entrants have been featured in major publications such as, The Guardian, TIME Lightbox, Foam, The Financial Times, British Journal of Photography, The Telegraph, among many other national and international outlets. This kind of press exposure can lead to viral, global recognition of your work
For more information, visit the Belfast Photo Festival website.
Blue Koi International Art Competition
Deadline: December 31
Open to: Creatives of all levels
Theme: True Blue
Focus: “Open-themed art competition dedicated to exploring Blue, in all its emotional, symbolic, and visual depth. We’re seeking work that expresses what “blue” means to you.
Whether your vision is literal or abstract, cool-toned or emotionally charged, True Blue is your opportunity to showcase artwork that resonates with this timeless color and concept. All mediums, styles, and interpretations are welcome.”
Fee: 4 images for $25, 6 images for $40
Prizes: 1st prize: $100, 2nd prize: $50, 3rd prize: exhibition, Winners will be part of the Blue Koi Online Art Exhibition
For more information, visit the Blue Koi website.
Sony World Photography Awards
Deadlines:
Open and Youth Competition: January 6, 2026
Professional Competition: January 13, 2026
Open to: Photographers of all levels
Categories:
Student Competition: Together
Open Competition: Architecture, Creative, Landscape, Lifestyle, Motion, Natural World & Wildlife, Object, Portraiture, Street Photography, Travel
Youth Competition: Open Call: Show us your best images!
Professional Competition: Architecture & Design, Creative, Documentary Projects, Environment, Landscape, Perspectives, Portraiture, Sport, Still Life, Wildlife & Nature
Fee: Free to enter
Prizes: Global press exposure, $25,000 cash prize, Sony gear, solo exhibition at the Sony World Photography Awards London exhibition, and more
For more info, visit the World Photography Organisation website.
World Masters of Photography Award
Deadline: January 16
Open to: Photographers of all levels
Focus: Fashion, Press/ Photojournalism, Contemporary, Street Photography, Landscape, Free Subject
Fee: €20 per image
Prizes: The overall winner across all six divisions receives the prestigious WMPO World Cup, winners have the opportunity to exhibit their work at Galerie LIK in Vienna and at the Competa Photo Days in Spain, and inclusion in the photo book "World Masters of Photography"
For more information, visit the WMPO Award website.
MonoVisions Photography Awards
Deadline: Early: January 18, Final: May 17
Open to: Photographers of all levels
Focus: Black and white photography
Categories: Abstract, Architecture, Conceptual, Fine Art, Landscapes, Nature and Wildlife, Nude, People, Photojournalism, Portrait, Street Photography, Travel
Fee: Early: single image $20, series $25, Final: single image $25, series $30
Prizes: Black and White Series of the Year will receive $3,000, Black and White Photo of the Year will receive $2,000
For more information, visit the MonoVision Awards website.
London Camera Exchange POTY
Deadline: January 21
Open to: Photographers of all levels (please note that prizes can only able to be given to photographers based in the UK)
Categories: Action, After Dark, Creative, Emerging Talent, Landscape, Macro, Pets, Portrait, Travel, Wildlife, Street, Events, Birds, People’s Choice
Fee: Free to enter
Prizes: The winner of each of the 14 categories will be awarded £500. An additional £500 will be awarded to the photography department where the winner of the Emerging Talent category studies. The overall winner will receive an additional £2,500 worth of LCE vouchers. Winners of each category and the overall prize winner will also receive a trophy. Shortlisted entrants will be contacted via email and invited to the awards ceremony, and will be included in an awards book, which all shortlisted entrants will receive free of charge
For more information, visit the LCE Photographer of the Year website.
Current World Archaeology Photo Competition
Deadline: January 26
Open to: Photographers of all levels
Focus: Archaeological theme
Fee: Free to enter
Prizes: The winners will be featured in the magazine and at the ‘CA Live! 2026 conference’, and the overall winner will receive two free tickets to the conference and a CWA trophy.
For more information, visit the CWA website.
Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
Deadline: February 5
Open to: Photographers of all levels
Fee: The cost of entry remains A$38.00 (includes GST) for the first image and A$22.00 (includes GST) for each subsequent image, or for Junior Photography, A$10.00 (includes GST) for the first image and AU$5.00 (includes GST) for each subsequent image
Categories: Animals in Nature, Botanical, Animal Behaviour, Macro, Landscape, Threatened Species, Monochrome, Our Impact, Portfolio, and Junior
Prizes: The overall winner receives AU$10,000; category winners receive AU$1,500; while the Junior takes home AU$500, and more
For more information, visit the South Australian Museum website.
World Food Photography Awards
Deadline: February 8
Open to: Photographers of all levels
Categories: UK or UNHCR Food as Home, M&S Food Rising Star, Louis Jadot Wine Photographer of the Year, Champagne Taittinger Wedding Food Phorographer, MPB Award for Innovation, Food Influencer, Champagne Taittinger Food for Celebration, Hotel Art Group Food Stylist Award, The James Beard Foundation Photography Award, unearthed Food for Sale, Bring Home the Harvest, World of Drinks, and more
Fee: £35.00 per adult entrant (up to 6 images), further entries may be submitted at an additional fee of £7 per entry, Portfolio submission fees vary, entry to the Young (under 18) categories is free of charge
Prizes: Overall Winner receives £5,000 cash prize and a display of their work at the Mall Galleries and Fortnum & Mason, specific category prizes vary, but can include cash, equipment vouchers, and professional opportunities like a £1,000 cash prize for the Louis Jadot Wine Photographer of the Year or an MPB voucher for the Award for Innovation, Student winners may also receive RPS membership and a one-on-one mentorship call
For more information, visit the World Food Photography Awards website.
Fine Art Photography Awards
Deadline: February 15
Open to: Photographers of all levels
Categories: Abstract, Architecture, Conceptual, Experimental, Fashion, Fine Art, Landscape, Nature, Night Photography, Nudes, Open Theme, Panoramic, People, Photojournalism, Photomanipulation, Portrait, Seascape, Street Photography, Travel, Wildlife / Animal
Fee: Professional: Single entry $29, series $34, Amateur: Single entry $24, series $29
Prizes: Professional category: Grand Prize Winner $3,000 + Professional Fine Art Photographer of the Year title, Amateur category: Grand Prize Winner $2,000 + Amateur Fine Art Photographer of the Year title
For more information, visit the Fine Art Photography Awards Website.
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