Photography Contest
Earth Photo 2026
Deadline |
03/04/26Theme |
Life on our planet, forests, cities, deserts, rainforests, urban and managed lands, biodiversity...Territory |
WorldwideEligibility |
Open to allEntry Fees |
15 GBP/10 imagesPrizes |
ExhibitionHost |
Earth PhotoEarth Photo 2026 is now open for entries, inviting photographers and filmmakers of all ages, working anywhere in the world, to submit compelling visual stories about our planet.
Originally established in 2018, by Forestry England, Parker Harris and RGS, Earth Photo is a leading international platform for image-makers who explore the natural world, its peoples and environments, and the urgent issues shaping our time. Earth Photo is a partnership between the Royal Geographical Society, Parker Harris and Photoworks.
Photography and film have never been more powerful in helping us understand the challenges our planet faces, and the acts of resilience, restoration and hope taking place every day.
Whether your work explores the ways people connect with nature, or the impacts of climate change on communities and ecosystems, Earth Photo wants to highlight the stories that show life on a changing planet.
We welcome work that celebrates biodiversity and conservation, or the knowledge, resilience and adaptation of Indigenous communities, and encourage all perspectives and creative approaches that spark reflection and conversation.
The Earth Photo shortlist will be selected by a selection panel from across the world of photography:
Peggy Sue Amison; artistic director and curator, of East Wing gallery in Qatar/UAE and Berlin. She has served as a nominator and juror for numerous photography awards.
Emma Bowkett; Director of Photography for the FT Weekend Magazine (Financial Times), based in London. She is also known for her work as a curator and is a visual art advisor for the HOUSE festival.
Shahidul Alam; renowned Bangladeshi photographer, curator, and activist. He is the director of the Chobi Mela Festival of Photography and the managing director of the Drik India Media Agency.
Serubiri Moses; Ugandan curator, writer, and educator based in New York. He teaches Art History at Hunter College, and is Visiting Faculty at the Center for Curatorial Studies, Bard College. He has curated international exhibitions, and was part of the curatorial team for the 10th Berlin Biennale.
Yining He; researcher and curator of visual arts based in China with over 50 curated group exhibitions across China and Europe. She served as co-curator for the 8th Singapore International Photography Festival, the 3rd Beijing International Photography Biennial, and the Guangzhou Image Triennial 2025. Her scholarly contributions have been published widely in both Chinese and English, and she has founded two photography journals.
Louise Fetodov-Clements; As Director of Photoworks Louise leads the strategic vision and artistic direction of the organisation including exhibitions, biennial festival, commissions, learning and engagement, publishing and digital content.
The Earth Photo 2026 judging panel. Left to right: Louise Fetodov-Clements, Shahidul Alam, Emma Bowkett, Serubiri Moses, Peggy Sue Amison & Yining He
Shortlisted artists will be considered for exhibition opportunities and for all Earth Photo awards. They will also:
Feature in the Earth Photo 2026 online gallery at www.earthphoto.world
Be promoted across Earth Photo partners’ social media channels
Be considered for New Scientist’s Aperture photo feature
Have the opportunity for their work to be shown in the Earth Photo exhibitions across the UK
Exhibitions
Selected works will be exhibited at the Royal Geographical Society, London, from 26 June to 22 July 2026, followed by a UK tour to partner venues including historic properties, cultural organisations, and landmark gardens.
Details of all participating artists, venues and dates will be published at www.earthphoto.world .
Awards
Earth Photo 2026 offers a range of awards recognising outstanding photography and moving image work:
Earth Photo Award – £1,000 for an outstanding project telling a powerful story about life on Earth
Climate of Change Award (Royal Geographical Society) – £500 for work exploring the impacts of climate change or showing resilience and innovative adaptation
Moving Image Award – £500 for an outstanding short film
Sidney Nolan Trust Residency Prize – A two-week UK residency at The Rodd, with access to Nolan’s photographic archive
David Wolf Kaye Future Potential Awards – Two £250 prizes for practitioners aged 25 or under (one stills, one moving image), each with mentoring
New Scientist Editors Award – Mentoring and the potential for a feature in Aperture or an online video article
Photoworks Digital Residency – A digital presentation of the artist’s work, plus £400
Originally established in 2018, by Forestry England, Parker Harris and RGS, Earth Photo is a leading international platform for image-makers who explore the natural world, its peoples and environments, and the urgent issues shaping our time. Earth Photo is a partnership between the Royal Geographical Society, Parker Harris and Photoworks.
Photography and film have never been more powerful in helping us understand the challenges our planet faces, and the acts of resilience, restoration and hope taking place every day.
Whether your work explores the ways people connect with nature, or the impacts of climate change on communities and ecosystems, Earth Photo wants to highlight the stories that show life on a changing planet.
We welcome work that celebrates biodiversity and conservation, or the knowledge, resilience and adaptation of Indigenous communities, and encourage all perspectives and creative approaches that spark reflection and conversation.
The Earth Photo shortlist will be selected by a selection panel from across the world of photography:
Peggy Sue Amison; artistic director and curator, of East Wing gallery in Qatar/UAE and Berlin. She has served as a nominator and juror for numerous photography awards.
Emma Bowkett; Director of Photography for the FT Weekend Magazine (Financial Times), based in London. She is also known for her work as a curator and is a visual art advisor for the HOUSE festival.
Shahidul Alam; renowned Bangladeshi photographer, curator, and activist. He is the director of the Chobi Mela Festival of Photography and the managing director of the Drik India Media Agency.
Serubiri Moses; Ugandan curator, writer, and educator based in New York. He teaches Art History at Hunter College, and is Visiting Faculty at the Center for Curatorial Studies, Bard College. He has curated international exhibitions, and was part of the curatorial team for the 10th Berlin Biennale.
Yining He; researcher and curator of visual arts based in China with over 50 curated group exhibitions across China and Europe. She served as co-curator for the 8th Singapore International Photography Festival, the 3rd Beijing International Photography Biennial, and the Guangzhou Image Triennial 2025. Her scholarly contributions have been published widely in both Chinese and English, and she has founded two photography journals.
Louise Fetodov-Clements; As Director of Photoworks Louise leads the strategic vision and artistic direction of the organisation including exhibitions, biennial festival, commissions, learning and engagement, publishing and digital content.
The Earth Photo 2026 judging panel. Left to right: Louise Fetodov-Clements, Shahidul Alam, Emma Bowkett, Serubiri Moses, Peggy Sue Amison & Yining He
Shortlisted artists will be considered for exhibition opportunities and for all Earth Photo awards. They will also:
Feature in the Earth Photo 2026 online gallery at www.earthphoto.world
Be promoted across Earth Photo partners’ social media channels
Be considered for New Scientist’s Aperture photo feature
Have the opportunity for their work to be shown in the Earth Photo exhibitions across the UK
Exhibitions
Selected works will be exhibited at the Royal Geographical Society, London, from 26 June to 22 July 2026, followed by a UK tour to partner venues including historic properties, cultural organisations, and landmark gardens.
Details of all participating artists, venues and dates will be published at www.earthphoto.world .
Awards
Earth Photo 2026 offers a range of awards recognising outstanding photography and moving image work:
Earth Photo Award – £1,000 for an outstanding project telling a powerful story about life on Earth
Climate of Change Award (Royal Geographical Society) – £500 for work exploring the impacts of climate change or showing resilience and innovative adaptation
Moving Image Award – £500 for an outstanding short film
Sidney Nolan Trust Residency Prize – A two-week UK residency at The Rodd, with access to Nolan’s photographic archive
David Wolf Kaye Future Potential Awards – Two £250 prizes for practitioners aged 25 or under (one stills, one moving image), each with mentoring
New Scientist Editors Award – Mentoring and the potential for a feature in Aperture or an online video article
Photoworks Digital Residency – A digital presentation of the artist’s work, plus £400
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© Steve McCurry
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