Photography Contest

Big Picture 2025

Big Picture 2025

Deadline |

CLOSED

Theme |

Photo Story: In My Backyard!

Territory |

Worldwide

Eligibility |

Open to all

Entry Fees |

$25 for up to 10 single image submissions in any category

Prizes |

Cash Prize
We don’t have to venture to the ends of the Earth to discover the beauty and surprising stories of the natural world. This year’s photo story opens our eyes to what’s happening in our own backyards: nearby parks, gardens, forests, streets, villages, ponds, streams, soil and skies. What changes have you been observing closely or close by over the days or years? What community or conservation work have you been focusing on? Show and tell us what’s been happening in your own backyard!

BigPicture is open to all photography enthusiasts and professionals alike worldwide to compete for a chance to win the $5,000 grand prize.

Now in its 12th year, BigPicture encourages photographers from around the world to contribute their work to this competition that both celebrates and illustrates the rich diversity of life on Earth and inspires action to protect and conserve it through the power of imagery. Chaired by award-winning conservation photographer Suzi Eszterhas, BigPicture welcomes high-quality nature, wildlife and conservation images and is open to all photographers around the world. Enter your work for a chance to win cash prizes and be exhibited at the California Academy of Sciences.

The Grand Prize winner will receive $5,000 for the best overall image in the 2025 BigPicture Natural World Photography Competition and be featured in the annual exhibit at the California Academy of Sciences. The first place winners of the seven official categories will each receive $1,000 in cash and also have their winning images featured in the annual exhibit. Up to 6 additional finalists will be awarded a certificate of recognition for each category, with the exception of the Photo Story category. The Photo Story category will have one first place awarded.
A People's Choice winner will be awarded $300.

Image: Backyard Friend (from Cities Gone Wild) © Corey Arnold , 2023 Grand Prize Winner

Featured Photo Contest

AAP Magazine #46/Women

$1,000 cash prizes | Winning image(s) published in AAP Magazine #46 | Extensive press coverage and global recognition

Best Photography Contests in 2025

Each year, there are hundreds of photography competitions all over the world, so we've decided to select for you the best of the best! Our selection of the best photo contests in 2025 is thoroughly curated to help you, whether you are a professional photographer or an amateur, to help find your next creative breakthrough. These all-star competitions offer the greatest opportunities for international exposure and/or incredible financial benefits. Some of them are closing soon, so get your photo submissions in!

ENDS 03/16/25
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ENDS 03/17/25
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ENDS 03/18/25
Be Featured in our April 2025 Online Juried Solo Exhibition!
ENDS 03/31/25
If you're a passionate amateur or professional photographer, we invite you to share your photographic project with us.
ENDS 03/31/25
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ENDS 03/31/25
Beauty can be found in every facet of life. The Lucie Foundation invites you to explore the concept of beauty especially in places less obvious.
ENDS 04/08/25
TIFA connects photographers from around the world with the creative community in Tokyo, Japan, providing them with an excellent platform to present their work to a new market.
ENDS 04/13/25
The Prix Viviane Esders is awarded to a professional, independant, European photographer who is still active, and demonstrates a personal style and artistic approach.
ENDS 04/15/25
Submit your best work to our photo competition for a chance to win up to $11,500 in cash prizes, be selected by our curators for the PX3 exhibition in Paris and inclusion in the Annual PX3 book.
ENDS 04/15/25
Our 47th printed issue of AAP Magazine will feature the best projects showcasing the theme "Shadows".
ENDS 04/17/25
This new initiative is dedicated to empowering photographers globally, providing grants and resources to support the creation of compelling documentary photo essays
ENDS 04/22/25
The winner will receive £15,000, the second prize is £3,000, and the third prize is £2,000.
ENDS 04/22/25
Be Featured in our May 2025 Online Juried Solo Exhibition!
ENDS 04/25/25
Gomma invites you to take part in this new adventure. Show us the limitless nuances of our world in monochrome.
ENDS 04/30/25
Nikon’s Small World is regarded as the leading forum for showcasing the beauty and complexity of life as seen through the light microscope. The Photomicrography Competition is open to anyone with an interest in microscopy and photography.
ENDS 05/18/25
MonoVisions Photography Awards are an international open call for photographers using black and white medium to express their visual language.
ENDS 05/31/25
POWER will be the main theme of the season. The Grand Prize of USD $200,000 will be awarded to one winner from any category this season, not limited to the main theme.
ENDS 06/02/25
BUDAPEST INTERNATIONAL FOTO AWARDS is an international platform for photographers from all levels and genres to share their best images with the creative community in Hungary and Eastern Europe.