Photography enthusiasts and professionals alike have a wealth of opportunities to showcase their work in the coming months, with ten major international photography competitions now accepting submissions from December through May. These contests span multiple genres and skill levels, offering substantial prizes, global exposure, and career advancement opportunities for photographers worldwide.
Whether you're a seasoned professional, an emerging talent, or an amateur photographer looking to gain recognition, entering photography competitions serves multiple purposes beyond just winning prizes. These contests provide valuable opportunities to dive into your photo archives, rediscover your best work, and refine your personal artistic style. The submission process itself often helps photographers critically evaluate their work and identify areas for improvement.
Many photographers credit competitions as crucial stepping stones in their careers, helping them build recognition, grow their audience, and secure their first major publications or exhibitions. The diverse range of categories available across these competitions ensures that photographers working in any genre – from astrophotography and macro to wildlife, travel, food, portraiture, or conceptual photography – can find suitable platforms to showcase their work.
The Sony World Photography Awards stands out as one of the most prestigious opportunities, with submissions closing January 6, 2026 for the Open and Youth competitions, and January 13, 2026 for the Professional competition. This free-to-enter contest offers categories including Architecture, Creative, Landscape, Lifestyle, Motion, Natural World & Wildlife, Object, Portraiture, Street Photography, and Travel. Winners receive global press exposure, a $25,000 cash prize, Sony equipment, and a solo exhibition at the London exhibition.
For those interested in more specialized themes, the UOL Zoom World Photo Awards accepts entries until December 10, featuring categories such as Abstract, Architecture, Creative, Food & Drinks, Nature & Wildlife, People, Action & Motion, Black-And-White, Fashion, Landscape, Objects, and Street & Lifestyle. Entry fees are $20 per image, with $1 from each entry donated to environmental causes, and winners receive $1,000 in cash prizes.
The Annual Photography Awards, with a December 14 deadline, focuses on five main categories: Architecture, Fine Art, Nature, People, and Special, each divided into 25 subcategories. Entry fees range from $30 for single photos to $40 for series of up to eight images. The grand prize winner receives $2,500 and the Annual Photographer of the Year 2025 title, while category winners each receive $500.
Mobile photography enthusiasts can participate in the Mobile Photo Awards, closing December 17. This competition specifically celebrates smartphone photography across categories including Architecture & Design/Still Life, Black And White, Digital Fine Art/Visual FX, Landscapes & Wildlife, Macro/Details, People, Portraits & Self Portraits, The Darkness, Travel & Transportation, Silhouettes, Street Photography, Water/Snow/Ice, and The Photo Essay. The grand prize winner receives $3,000, with category winners earning $250 each.
Art photographers should consider the Blue Koi International Art Competition, accepting submissions until December 31 with the theme "True Blue." This open-themed contest explores blue in all its emotional, symbolic, and visual depth, welcoming all mediums and interpretations. Entry fees are $25 for four images or $40 for six images, with prizes including $100 for first place and exhibition opportunities.
Black and white photography specialists can enter the MonoVisions Photography Awards, which offers two deadline options: early submission by January 18 or final submission by May 17. Categories include Abstract, Architecture, Conceptual, Fine Art, Landscapes, Nature and Wildlife, Nude, People, Photojournalism, Portrait, Street Photography, and Travel. The Black and White Series of the Year winner receives $3,000, while the Photo of the Year winner gets $2,000.
UK-based photographers have a special opportunity with the London Camera Exchange Photographer of the Year 2026, closing January 21. This free-to-enter competition features 14 categories including Action, After Dark, Creative, Emerging Talent, Landscape, Macro, Pets, Portrait, Travel, Wildlife, Street, Events, Birds, and People's Choice. Each category winner receives $500, with the overall winner earning an additional $2,500 in LCE vouchers.
Those interested in archaeological themes can submit to the Current World Archaeology Photo Competition until January 26. This free competition focuses on archaeological subjects, with winners featured in the magazine and at the CA Live! 2026 conference. The overall winner receives two free conference tickets and a CWA trophy.
Food photographers have until February 8 to enter the World Food Photography Awards, featuring categories such as Food as Home, Food Rising Star, Wine Photographer of the Year, Wedding Food Photographer, Award for Innovation, Food Influencer, Food for Celebration, Food Stylist Award, The James Beard Foundation Photography Award, Food for Sale, Bring Home the Harvest, and World of Drinks. The overall winner receives a $5,000 cash prize and gallery exhibition, with various category-specific prizes available.
Finally, the World Masters of Photography Award accepts submissions until January 16, covering Fashion, Press/Photojournalism, Contemporary, Street Photography, Landscape, and Free Subject categories. Entry fees are $20 per image, with the overall winner receiving the prestigious WMPO World Cup and exhibition opportunities in Vienna and Spain, plus inclusion in the "World Masters of Photography" book.
These competitions represent just a fraction of the opportunities available to photographers seeking recognition and career advancement. The variety of themes, categories, and prize structures ensures that photographers at every level and in every specialty can find appropriate venues to showcase their work and potentially launch their careers to new heights.
