Photography Contest
STERN-Preis 2025 - Photo Story of the Year
Deadline |
CLOSEDTheme |
PhotojournalismTerritory |
WorldwideEligibility |
Work published in German-language media in print and online in 2024Entry Fees |
FREEPrizes |
Cash PrizeHost |
STERN-PreisThe STERN-Preis 2025 – Photo Story of the Year will be awarded to a photo series for a photojournalistic work published in a German-language journalistic medium (newspaper, magazine, website) in 2024.
The project should masterfully illustrate a major event of the year 2024, global and socially relevant topics, or a significant aspect of our social life. The photo series should demonstrate a high level of journalistic understanding and at the same time be visually convincing.
Single images will not be accepted, the published photo story from a magazine, weekly newspaper, daily newspaper or website must contain at least five images.
The award is based on the journalistic narrative and the multifaceted implementation of relevant content. The STERN-Preis recognises the dedicated photographic and journalistic work of professional photographers who tell a compelling story through outstanding images.
While we welcome submissions from international photographers, the STERN-Preis only accepts work that was published in a journalistic German-language journalistic medium (newspaper, magazine, website) in 2024.
Technical requirements: Submissions of published photo stories from magazines, weekly newspapers, daily newspapers or websites must include a minimum of five images. All published photos must be submitted. In addition, unpublished images may be submitted up to a total of 20 photos per entry. All images must be uploaded in jpg format at 300dpi with 3000 pixels on the long edge. For print submissions, a PDF of the layout of the published story must be included; for online submissions, the link must be included (valid until at least June 2024). For stories published behind a paywall, a PDF or free access must also be included. What winners receive
The winner will receive the STERN Award 2025 in the category Photo Story of the Year for the best photo story of 2024 and thus the attention of the journalistic and photographic industry.
The project should masterfully illustrate a major event of the year 2024, global and socially relevant topics, or a significant aspect of our social life. The photo series should demonstrate a high level of journalistic understanding and at the same time be visually convincing.
Single images will not be accepted, the published photo story from a magazine, weekly newspaper, daily newspaper or website must contain at least five images.
The award is based on the journalistic narrative and the multifaceted implementation of relevant content. The STERN-Preis recognises the dedicated photographic and journalistic work of professional photographers who tell a compelling story through outstanding images.
While we welcome submissions from international photographers, the STERN-Preis only accepts work that was published in a journalistic German-language journalistic medium (newspaper, magazine, website) in 2024.
Technical requirements: Submissions of published photo stories from magazines, weekly newspapers, daily newspapers or websites must include a minimum of five images. All published photos must be submitted. In addition, unpublished images may be submitted up to a total of 20 photos per entry. All images must be uploaded in jpg format at 300dpi with 3000 pixels on the long edge. For print submissions, a PDF of the layout of the published story must be included; for online submissions, the link must be included (valid until at least June 2024). For stories published behind a paywall, a PDF or free access must also be included. What winners receive
The winner will receive the STERN Award 2025 in the category Photo Story of the Year for the best photo story of 2024 and thus the attention of the journalistic and photographic industry.
Featured Photo Contest
AAP Magazine #52 / STREET
The 52nd printed issue of AAP Magazine will feature the best projects showcasing urban life. Send a cohesive body of work or portfolio - capturing the weird and wonderful moments unfolding around you!
© Tommi Viitala
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 09/22/25
A $20,000 prize awarded annually to a photographer whose work demonstrates a compelling new vision in photographic portraiture.
ENDS 09/23/25
Be Featured in our September 2025 Online Juried Solo Exhibition! Juror: Aline Smithson, Photographer, Founder of Lenscratch & Curator
ENDS 09/30/25
If you're a passionate amateur or professional photographer, we invite you to share your photographic project with us.
ENDS 09/30/25
Send us a cohesive body of work or portfolio - capturing the weird and wonderful moments unfolding around you! The subject is completely up to you.
ENDS 10/01/25
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 10/01/25
The Center for Photographic Art (CPA) is excited to announce the 2025 International Juried Exhibition with $5,000 in awards!
ENDS 10/02/25
€10,000 in cash plus an exhibition at PhMuseum Lab, screenings at PhotoVogue Festival, and more
ENDS 10/06/25
For 2025, the amount of the W. Eugene Smith Grant is $30,000 and two additional $10,000 Finalist Grants will be awarded.
ENDS 10/06/25
For 2025, the amount of the W. Eugene Smith Student Grant is $5,000. The grant provides two students with the opportunity to complete a photographic essay.
ENDS 10/07/25
Now in its 12th year, the International Landscape Photographer of the Year Awards is allowing all landscape photographers to share a total of 12,500 USD in cash prizes.
ENDS 10/31/25
Selected by a jury composed of five professionals from the fields of photography and publishing, the winner of the Henri Cartier-Bresson Self-Published PhotoBook Award will receive a prize of €8,000.
ENDS 11/02/25
The best photographs will be presented in an exhibition in the Principality of Monaco, then touring in various locations around the world, as well as in a high-quality photography book.
ENDS 01/06/26
First place receives Sony Digital Imaging equipment and inclusion in the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition and book
ENDS 01/06/26
Dedicated to young photographers under 19 years-old - first prize is top Sony digital imaging equipment plus benefit from global exposure
ENDS 01/06/26
Rewarding the best single images! Enter for free and you could win $5,000, top Sony digital imaging equipment plus more!
ENDS 01/13/26
Rewarding the best photo series worldwide! Enter for free and you could win $25,000, a range of Sony digital imaging equipment plus more!
ENDS 02/15/26
Art is born out of passion. Fine Art photography is a perfect instrument, which allows a person to communicate with the world and share their vision. It results from the author's deep sensitivity, a need to express feelings through image.
ENDS 05/17/26
MonoVisions Photography Awards are an international open call for photographers using black and white medium to express their visual language.