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.
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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 April until July 2026. It’s a small selection to spark inspiration, but there are countless others out there…
UN World Oceans Day Photo Competition
(Image credit: UN World Oceans Day Photo Competition / Dani Escayola (Spain). Underwater Seascapes – Winner (2025))
Deadline: April 6
Open to: Photographers of all levels who agree and follow the 2020 established charter of ethics in underwater photography – conservation rules will be strictly observed
Fee: Free to enter
Categories: Connecting Oceans, Big and Small Underwater Faces, Underwater Seascapes, Above Water Seascapes
Recognition: Winning images and finalists will be widely exposed throughout the contest websites, the media and the informational materials related to subsequent competitions. Winning photos have been printed for exhibitions around the world
For more information, visit the UN World Oceans Day Photo website.
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FMoPA 2026 International Photography Competition
(Image credit: Maho / FMoPA)
Deadline: April 22
Open to: Photographers of all levels
Fee: $10 per image
Categories: People/Portraits, Places/Landscape, Nature/Science/Animals, Documentation/Photojournalism, Still Life, Abstract, and Conceptual Photography
Prizes: Overall Winner receives $1,000 cash prize and consideration for a solo exhibition, Category Winners receive at least $100 value in goods and services, Group exhibition at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, and more
For more information, visit the FMoPA website.
Nikon Small World Competitions
(Image credit: Nikon Small World Contest)
Small World Photomicrography Competition &
Small World In Motion Video Competition
Deadline: April 30
Open to: Photographers and videographers of all levels
Fee: Free to enter
Topic: Microscopy and photography through the microscope
Prizes: From £3,000 for 1st place down to $200 for Honorable Mentions, depending on specific competition
For more information, visit the Nikon Small World website.
Jalón Ángel Photography Awards 2026
(Image credit: Jalón Ángel Photography Awards)
Deadline: May 4
Open to: Photographers of all levels
Fee: Free to enter
Categories: Portrait, Travel, Migration and borders
Prizes: Category winners receive each €1,500
For more information, visit the Jalon Angel website.
(Image credit: Prix Virginia)
Deadline: May 7
Open to: Women photographers of all levels
Fee: Free
Topic: Free theme, Series of 12-18 photographs required
Prizes: Overall winner receives €10,000 cash prize
For more information, visit the Prix Virginia website.
MonoVisions Photography Awards
(Image credit: MonoVisions Photography Awards / Alena Khodar)
Deadline: May 17
Open to: Photographers of all levels
Fee: Early: single image $20, series $25, Final: single image $25, series $30
Focus: Black and white photography
Categories: Abstract, Architecture, Conceptual, Fine Art, Landscapes, Nature and Wildlife, Nude, People, Photojournalism, Portrait, Street Photography, Travel
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.
HIPA 2026 (Richest Photography Award)
(Image credit: HIPA / Anton Unitsyn)
Deadline: May 31
Open to: Photographers of all levels
Fee: Free to enter
Categories: Families, Dreams Through AI, Sports Photography, Portfolio (Story-telling), General (Black % White and Color)
Prizes: Grand Prize: $200,000, Category Prizes: 1st: $40,000, 2nd: $30,000, 3rd: $20,000, Portfolio Prize: 1st $50,000, 2nd: $40,000, 3rd: $30,000, Special Awards: Photographer of the Year: $80,000, Content Creator Award: $50,000, Appreciation Award $100,000
For more information, visit the HIPA website.
(Image credit: photoED)
Deadline: June 15
Open to: Photographers of all levels, worldwide exclusions: Residents of Russia, the Republic of Belarus and sanctioned countries (ie. Cuba, North Korea…)
Fee: Free to enter for community members (print edition subscription, Patreon patronage), general submissions CAN$20
Theme: Home VS Away, “Fine art photography projects that present the idea of HOME, an experience of AWAY, or a juxtaposition the two”
Publication: Issue #76 of photoED magazine
For more information, click here.
Epson International Pano Awards
(Image credit: Pano Awards)
Deadline: Early bird: June 22, Final: July 13
Open to: Photographers of all levels
Awards: Amateur, Open and VR/360
Fee: Depending on Awards category, $20-$22 per image
Categories: Amateur Awards & Open Awards: Nature/ Landscapes, Aerial, Built Environment. VR/360 Awards: Open VR/360
Prizes: TBA (last year’s prize pool was worth over $50,000, including $15,000 cash)
For more information, visit the Pano Awards website.
(Image credit: Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards / Lea Scaddan)
Deadline: June 30
Open to: Photographers of all levels
Fee: Free to enter
Categories: Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Insects, Fish and other Aquatic Species, Nikon Young Photographer (25 years and under), Nikon Junior (16 years and under), Portfolio, Nikon Video, Photo People’s Choice
Prizes: Nikon cameras and lenses for the Nikon-sponsored categories – top entrants have the chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime safari in the Maasai Mara, Kenya, hosted by the incredible Alex Walker’s Serian, along with a beautifully handcrafted trophy. All category winners will also receive a premium camera bag courtesy of ThinkTANK, and a professionally designed website from Amazing Internet
For more information, visit the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards website.
For even more inspiration, browse the best photography awards and contests.