{"id":879555,"date":"2026-09-01T14:26:28","date_gmt":"2026-09-01T14:26:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/879555\/"},"modified":"2026-09-01T14:26:28","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T14:26:28","slug":"all-award-winning-photographers-started-somewhere-these-are-the-10-photo-contests-to-enter-this-september","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/879555\/","title":{"rendered":"All award-winning photographers started somewhere \u2013 these are the 10 photo contests to enter this September"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whether you’re a seasoned photographer, a beginner just getting started or someone who loves capturing beautiful moments, submitting your images to photo competitions is one of the best ways to gain exposure and recognition.<\/p>\n

Entering competitions isn’t just about winning \u2013 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. Many photographers say competitions were the stepping stone that helped them build a name, grow their audience or land their first big feature.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

And with so many open calls across all genres \u2013 there’s something for everyone. So, here’s a list of photography competitions with open calls that are accepting submissions from September 2026 until February 2027. It’s a small selection to spark inspiration, but there are countless others out there…<\/p>\n

AAP Magazine #61: Street<\/p>\n

\n

\"Silhouette\n<\/p>\n

For more information, visit the AAP Magazine website<\/a> (Image credit: Tommi Viitala – AAP Magazine #44 – Street 2024 \/ AAP Magazine)<\/p>\n

Deadline: Early bird: September 8, General: September 29<\/p>\n

Open to: Photographers of all levels<\/p>\n

Fee: Early bird: $30 for 3 images, Regular: $35<\/p>\n

You may like<\/p>\n

Focus: Street photography<\/p>\n

Prizes: $1,000 in cash awards, publication in AAP Magazine #61, extensive press coverage, and international exposure<\/p>\n

Photo Vogue: Brave New Visions: Creativity as Rebellion<\/p>\n

\n

\"Close-up
\n<\/p>\n

Find more information here<\/a> (Image credit: Kin Coedel \/ Photo Vogue)<\/p>\n

Deadline: September 11<\/p>\n

Open to: All artists aged 18 and above<\/p>\n

Fee: Free<\/p>\n

What to read next<\/p>\n

Focus: Photography, video, and multimedia projects across all genres, including fashion, documentary, portraiture, fine art, and experimental practices. “We are looking for work that expresses a clear point of view, whether through the ideas it explores, the emotions it evokes, or the strength of its visual language. This can take many forms, from powerful storytelling to images that stand out for their aesthetic impact.”<\/p>\n

Prizes: $12,000 in total grants awarded to three artists, presentation at the next PhotoVogue Festival, potential publication across Vogue’s global editions, participation in PhotoVogue Virtual Portfolio Reviews<\/p>\n

The 2026 Arnold Newman Prize<\/p>\n

About The Arnold Newman Prize – YouTube
\n\"About<\/p>\n

Watch On <\/a><\/p>\n

Deadline: September 23<\/p>\n

Open to: Photographers of all levels aged 18 years and older<\/p>\n

Fee: $65<\/p>\n

Focus: New Directions in Photographic Portraiture<\/p>\n

Prizes: $20,000 Grand prize, three finalists receive a $500 stipend each, all artists recognized in the Top Ten will be included in the online exhibitions hosted by Maine Media, Top Ten will be featured in a professionally produced publication celebrating the work of the Prize recipient, three Finalists, and six additional photographers recognized in the Top Ten.<\/p>\n

Botanical Photographer of the Year<\/p>\n

\n

\"Close-up
\n<\/p>\n

For more information, visit the BSBI website<\/a> (Image credit: Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland \/ Reuben Hayden)<\/p>\n

Deadline: September 30<\/p>\n

Open to: Photographers of all levels<\/p>\n

Fee: Free<\/p>\n

Focus: Britain and Ireland’s wild plants<\/p>\n

Categories: Intrepid: Plants in wild, hard-to-reach, or dramatic landscapes, Inquisitive: Close-up shots highlighting the fascinating and minute features that are often used in ID, Inclusive: People interacting with plants, urban botany, or community recording, Open: For entries that fall outside the above.<\/p>\n

Special: Young Botanical Photographer of the Year for an entry into any category, aged 18 or under<\/p>\n

Prizes: To be announced<\/p>\n

Fine Art Photography Awards<\/p>\n

\n

\"Portrait
\n<\/p>\n

For more information, visit the Fine Art Photography Awards website<\/a> (Image credit: Valentina Acrement – Fine Art Photography Awards)<\/p>\n

Deadline: Early deadline: October 11, Final deadline: February 14<\/p>\n

Fee: Amateur: Early deadline: 19$ single image, $24 series; Professional: $24 single image, $29 series, category fee: $10<\/p>\n

Open to: Photographers of all levels<\/p>\n

Amateur & Professional 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 \/ Animals<\/p>\n

Prizes: Amateur: Grand Prize $2,000, Professional: Grand Prize $3,000<\/p>\n

Travel Photographer of the Year<\/p>\n

\n

\"Nighttime
\n<\/p>\n

For more information, visit the TPOTY website<\/a> (Image credit: Travel Photographer of the Year 2024. Image \u00a9 Marsel van Oosten)<\/p>\n

Deadline: October 12<\/p>\n

Open to: Photographers of all levels<\/p>\n

Fee: From \u00a314, entry is FREE for young photographers aged 18 and under<\/p>\n

Portfolio categories: Adventures & Journeys, Cultures, Traditions & Celebrations, Landscapes \u2013 Nature & Urban, Wildlife, Sealife, Birdlife<\/p>\n

One Shot categories: In Nature, People of the World, Street, Travel in Black & White,<\/p>\n

Special Awards: Travel Photographer of the Year, Young Travel Photographer of the Year, Travel Image of the Year, Rising Talent Award, People\u2019s Choice Award<\/p>\n

Prizes: Cash prizes from \u00a31,000 to \u00a3200, industry portfolio reviews, media exposure, and more<\/p>\n

Wellcome Photography Prize<\/p>\n

\n

\"Five
\n<\/p>\n

For more information, visit the Wellcome Photography Prize website<\/a> (Image credit: Dream to Cure Water, By Ciril Jazbec. All images courtesy of Wellcome Photography Prize 2025)<\/p>\n

Deadline: October 21<\/p>\n

Open to: Photographers of all levels<\/p>\n

Fee: Free<\/p>\n

Focus: Issues on health, science, and the human experience<\/p>\n

Categories: Striking solo photography, A storytelling series, The marvels of scientific and medical imaging<\/p>\n

Prize: \u00a310,000 for each Category Winner, 22 entries from across the three categories will be awarded \u00a31,000 each, extensive international media coverage<\/p>\n

Insta 360 Global Awards<\/p>\n

\n

\"Insta360
\n<\/p>\n

For more information, visit the Insta360 website<\/a> (Image credit: Insta 360 Global Awards)<\/p>\n

Deadline: October 30<\/p>\n

Fee: Free<\/p>\n

Open to: Photographers and videographers of all levels<\/p>\n

Requirement: Entries must be shot on Insta360<\/a> or Antigravity products<\/p>\n

Format: Videos: 30sec-3min MP4\/MOV, single image only under 20MB<\/p>\n

Categories: Street, Travel, Life, Portrait, Sports, Night<\/p>\n

Prizes: $150,000+ prize pool with over 100 winners to be announced<\/p>\n

Sony World Photography Awards<\/p>\n

\n

\"Abstract
\n<\/p>\n

For more information, visit the World Photo website<\/a> (Image credit: Sony World Photography Awards)<\/p>\n

Deadline: November 27 (Student), January 5 (Youth + Single Images), January 12 (Series)<\/p>\n

Fee: Free<\/p>\n

Open to: Photographers of all levels<\/p>\n

Competitions: Series (previously Professional competition), Single Image (previously Open competition), Student, Youth<\/p>\n

Categories: up to 10 different categories depending on competition<\/p>\n

Prizes: Cash prizes up to $25,000, top-tier Sony<\/a> equipment, and global exhibition opportunities<\/p>\n

OPPO Photography Awards<\/p>\n

\n

\"OPPO\n<\/p>\n

For more information, visit the Oppo Photography Awards website<\/a> (Image credit: OPPO)<\/p>\n

Deadline: December 31<\/p>\n

Open to: Photographers and videographers of all levels, shooting with OPPO<\/a>, OnePlus<\/a>, or realme<\/a> devices<\/p>\n

Fee: Free<\/p>\n

Theme: “Super Every Moment”<\/p>\n

Categories: Me, Journey, Video, Zoom, Live, Snap<\/p>\n

Prizes: $76,500 prize pool across 38 awards<\/p>\n

You might like…<\/p>\n

For even more inspiration, browse the best photography awards and contests. <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Whether you’re a seasoned photographer, a beginner just getting started or someone who loves capturing beautiful moments, submitting…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":879556,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[76,354,355,49,48,356,75],"class_list":["post-879555","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-arts-and-design","tag-arts","tag-arts-and-design","tag-artsanddesign","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-design","tag-entertainment"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/879555","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=879555"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/879555\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/879556"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=879555"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=879555"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=879555"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}