Last Updated on 12/19/2024 by Nilofer Khan
We’ve previously written an in-depth piece underscoring why photography contests are paramount for individuals in this discipline. However, we have also demonstrated how photography contests today charge exorbitant fees while concealing the transfer of copyright ownership in the fine print. As cumbersome as it sounds, one has only one option: spend copious time picking which competitions are authentic and interested in showcasing good photography. For this reason, we have collated a guide to the best international photography contests to cut through the noise and make matters more advantageous for our dear readers. Most titles on this list are free to enter.
Table of Contents
World Press Photo
One of the best portals for practicing photojournalists and documentary photographers, the World Press Photo honors images of world-changing events and narratives. The accolade has revised its format to feature two segments: regional and global winners. The former will receive €1,000 and other advantages, while the latter will be awarded €5,000 and photographic gear.
Sony Photography Awards
If we list the best international photography contests, this award has to be on it, thanks to its years-long dedication to serving photographers from every walk of life. Organized by the World Photography Organisation, the award offers multiple categories for professionals and amateurs. The prize pool is up to $25,000, with an exhibition and a book published for the winning works.
HIPA International Photography Award
Named after His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the HIPA Awards have an illustrious jury of outstanding photographers and unique themes yearly. The contest has multiple categories and offers a cash prize of up to $20,000. The grand prize winner also stands a chance to win $1,20,000.
Carmignac Photojournalism Award
Initiated by the Fondation Carmignac in 2009, the Carmignac Photojournalism Award is an extraordinary platform for investigative photojournalists documenting vital social, political, and cultural challenges plaguing our world. The winning work will receive a € 50,000 production grant, an international exhibition, and a talk about the project.
Nikon Small World
Established in 1975, Nikon Small World acknowledges and rewards the works of macro and microscopic photographers in the most comprehensive array of scientific vocations. The first, second, and third prize winners are awarded $5,000, $3,000, and $1,500, respectively.
Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest
Over the last twenty years, the photo contest has received over 400,000 entries from across the world, showcasing its magnificence and anguish. Hence, it is on the best international photography contests list. The grand prize winner will receive $2,500 cash, while the category winners will receive $500.
W. Eugene Smith Grant
This one is for documentary photographers who report on human conditions. As a result, stories highlighting social change, humanitarian concern, armed conflict, and interpersonal, psychological, cultural, environmental, and political issues stand a chance to win. But there is a catch: the grant has a $50 entry fee. The winner will be awarded $30,000, and those who win the Fellowship and are finalists will receive $10,000 and $7,500, respectively.
Leica Oskar Barnack Award
Named after the inventor of the prestigious company, Oskar Barnack, the award honors exceptional reportage on the relationship between man and the environment. The grand prize winner will receive €40,000, and Leica camera equipment will be valued at €10,000, whereas the winner in the newcomer category will be awarded €10,000 and a Leica Q3.
Istanbul Photo Awards
It is another celebrated contest dedicated to news photographers and photojournalists worldwide. The winner of the Single News category will receive $6,000, whereas winners in the remaining nine categories will receive $3,000 each. Check it out!
Nikon Photo Contest
Since 1969, the competition has hoped to inspire the Nikon community to capture stories that shape the world. As a result, it has to be shortlisted for the best international photography contest guide. The competition is open to everyone, regardless of age, gender, or nationality. The grand prize winner will receive 500,000 yen (approximately $3000) and a Nikon Z 9 and Nikkor Z lens. Photography category winners will receive a Nikon Z 7II and a Nikkor Z lens.
BigPicture Natural World Photography Competition
In its 11th year, BigPicture is a contest that portrays the beauty of the wild and urges its viewers to protect and conserve it from extinction. The entry fee is $25 for ten single images in any category and $15 for photo story submissions. The grand prize winner will receive $5,000, whereas the category winners will be awarded $1,000 each.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Wildlife competition is the need of the hour, so we chose this award for the list of the best international photography contests. Organized by the Natural History Museum, the award focuses on sharing stories that highlight the immense pressure we put on our planet. Through images, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year hopes to spread awareness of important issues and nurture a global love for nature. The entry fee is $30 for the Adult category, which can be waived for some countries. The grand prize winner will receive £10,000, while winners of the other three categories will receive £2,500 and £1,500 each.
PhMuseum 2024 Photography Grant
In its 12th edition, the grant announces a specific theme every year. Open to photographers worldwide, the open call offers cash prizes of up to €10,000, opportunities to exhibit, and more.
Mobile Photography Awards
Smartphones are the most dominant form of photographic equipment. So, this contest, open to Android and Apple photographers, had to be on the best international photography contests list. The grand prize winner will receive $3000, whereas the categories will be bestowed with $200 each. The photo essay winner stands a chance to win $500. The entry fee begins at $15 for one photograph and goes up to $149 for 25 pictures.
iPhone Photography Awards
If an Apple user likes photography, you can compete with the best using any iPhone or iPad in this competition. The only criterion is that the photograph should not be published anywhere other than their personal accounts. Category winners will receive gold bars, whereas the runners-up will receive platinum bars. To submit images, the entry fee varies between $5.50 to $75.50.
World Food Photography Awards
Formerly known as Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year, the award is dedicated to professional and amateur photographers across the globe. The competition aims to celebrate our intricate ties with food and how it tells crucial stories about age-old cultures and traditions. While the grand prize winner will receive £5,000 GBP and the category winners will receive up to £1,500 GBP, they can only do so after paying an entry fee of up to £7 GBP.
Minimalist Photography Awards
The awards commemorate the beauty and strength of minimalist photography in today’s chaotic world. The grand prize winner will receive a cash prize of $2,000, along with additional opportunities such as international exposure and publication of their work in a book. A single image can be submitted for an entry fee of $15, while the series fee is $25.
World Sports Photography Awards
The awards, which have 26 categories, hope to showcase and honor creative sports photographs by professional and amateur photographers. The top three winners will receive vouchers from MPB, the awards sponsor.
URBAN Photo Awards Contest
Established in 2010, the competition honors photographers who turn their lenses to the urban fabric of society and its contrasting beauty. Participants can enter their images in four categories, and the prize pool stands at €45,000. The entry fee ranges from €15 for a single image to up to €35 for a portfolio submission.
British Journal of Photography’s Portrait of Humanity
Organized by the British Journal of Photography, the award aims to celebrate humanity’s diversity and sense of community. However, members of the magazines can submit as many entries as they like. Those who belong to non-high-income groups can also enter for free.
British Journal of Photography’s Female in Focus
The award aims to champion women photographers‘ often undermined or overlooked works across various fields, including photojournalism, portraits, and street photography.
Women Photograph Grant
Launched in 2017, Women Photograph is a non-profit that promotes the voices of women and nonbinary visual journalists. The five winners will receive $5,000 each. You see why listing it in the best international photography contest guide was important.
Weather Photographer of the Year
As the title suggests, the submissions must focus on natural phenomena in the face of human activities. The grand title winner will receive £5,000 in cash, while the mobile category winner will receive £2,500.
Drone Photo Awards
Open to professionals, amateurs, and students, the award celebrates the best imagery shot with a drone. The winner stands a chance to get €500,00 worth of photography equipment.