Image: Todd Antony
The list of the world’s great photography competitions is ever-growing, and knowing what and when to enter can be pretty overwhelming. But never fear, Head On is here!
We have compiled a list of some of the best competitions to enter. These photo competitions cater for a range of interests and levels, from established professionals to enthusiasts and emerging photographers. Some are open only to Australian residents others internationally.
Have a read and get submitting. You never know, the next winner could be you!
OPEN INTERNATIONALLY (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)
HEAD ON PHOTO AWARDS
Australia’s most prestigious photography competition, Head On Photo Awards (open for entries internationally), is one of the world’s leading photo competitions. The Awards span three categories, Portrait, Landscape and Student. Winners receive a share of a prize pool, product and an exhibition at Australia’s leading international photography event, Head On Photo Festival.
The awards are based on the belief that all artists are entitled to equal opportunities regardless of their pedigree. Photographs are judged without creators’ names attached to the images, ensuring that the winning works are selected on merit alone.
Winners are awarded from a $70,000 prize pool. Each first prize winner in Portrait and Landscape categories receive $15,000 cash + products.
All finalists are featured in an exhibition pre category, online and printed catalogue.
DEADLINE: SUNDAY, 5 JUNE 2022 | ENTER NOW
INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS
The International Photography Awards is an annual competition for professional, amateur, and student photographers. Their mission is to “salute the achievements of the world’s finest photographers, discover new and emerging talent, and promote the appreciation of photography.”
The winner of the ‘International photographer of the year (professional categories)’ will win a $10,000 cash prize + more.
DEADLINE: THURSDAY JUNE 30 2022 | ENTER NOW
LENSCULTURE STREET PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS
LensCulture Street Photography Awards are seeking unique perspectives from the street.
The Awards offer benefits including an international exhibition, exposure to their audience, cash prizes, extensive media coverage, projections at international photography festivals, and more.
25 Finalists and their work will be highlighted and featured on the winners’ page, and in the worldwide promotions, along with the Winners and Jurors’ Picks.
DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY, 22 JUNE 2022 | ENTER NOW
LIFE FRAMER
Every month, a new call for entries is announced, each with a new brief. First place winners receive $2,000 cash and will have their image exhibited in London, Paris and Milan.
DEADLINE: END OF EVERY MONTH | ENTER NOW
MOBILE PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS
For the mobile photographers amongst us, the annual Mobile Photography Awards are now in their 12th year. The Mobile Photo Awards is the longest running international competition open exclusively to photographs shot & edited on all mobile phones and tablets.
This year, they are awarding $10,000 in cash. The Grand Prize Winner receives $3,000 and all category winners receive $500 cash and are included in an MPA Exhibit Tour.
DEADLINE: FRIDAY, 16 DECEMBER 2022 | ENTER NOW
NEUTRAL DENSITY PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS
ND Awards aims to promote photography and photographers. Within two categories (professional and non-professional), entrants can submit their images under 16 diverse categories. 6 winners of each professional category will receive $500 and 5 winners of each Non-professional category will receive $300.
DEADLINE: SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 2022 | ENTER NOW
TAYLOR WESSING PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAIT PRIZE 2022
The Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2022, held at the Cromwell Place, London, celebrates and promotes contemporary portrait photography from around the world. The prize showcases talented young photographers, gifted amateurs and established professionals.
The winner of the competition will receive £15,000. In addition, the judges, at their discretion, will award cash prizes to one or more of the shortlisted photographers.
DEADLINE: TUESDAY, 31 MAY 2022 | ENTER NOW
OPEN TO AUSTRALIAN*/NZ** RESIDENTS (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)
AUSTRALIAN LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY PRIZE*
The Australian Life photo prize, run by the City of Sydney, is seeking engaging and intriguing photos that capture any aspect of Australia – from everyday occurrences to artificial environments.
28 finalists will be selected to have their work exhibited at Hyde Park north, and the winner will receive $10,000.
DEADLINE: TUESDAY 24 MAY 2022 | ENTER NOW
BOWNESS PHOTOGRAPHY PRIZE*
The Bowness Photography Prize is run by the Monash Gallery of Art (Wheelers Hill, VIC). Entries for the Bowness Photography Prize will be considered from still photo-based media including analogue and digital photography.
The judges will award a cash prize of $30,000
DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY 29 JUNE 2022 | ENTER NOW
THE MONO AWARDS***
Hosted by Australian Photography and Capture, The Mono Awards is open to amateur and professional photographers from Australia and New Zealand and offers a prize pool of more than $13,500, including $10,000 in cash prizes.
Winners, runners-up and top 40 entries in each category will be published in Australian Photography and Capture magazines, and online.
DEADLINE: SUNDAY 12 JUNE 2022 | ENTER NOW
LEARN HOW TO ENTER AND WIN PHOTO CONTESTS
Join our online workshop with Head On Photo Award curator, Moshe Rosenzveig OAM, Wednesday 1 June 12:30pm (AEST) to learn tips and tricks on ‘How to enter photo competitions and win’.
