Photography Contest
Head On Photo Festival 2026
Deadline |
CLOSEDTheme |
OpenTerritory |
WorldwideEligibility |
Open to allEntry Fees |
Between AUD $15 and AUD $30Prizes |
ExhibitionHost |
Head On Photo FestivalHead On Photo Festival invites photographers worldwide to submit their work to one of the most respected photography festivals on the global stage.
Showcasing outstanding work from enthusiasts, emerging and established artists, the Festival presents a powerful mix of online and in-person exhibitions and events across Sydney, with select exhibitions touring nationally and internationally.
Underscoring our belief that all photo artists need a fair chance to show their work, our selection panel reviews exhibition proposals without the artists’ names or pedigrees, ensuring that Head On selects work on merit.
Head On invites successful applicants to exhibit as part of the Festival as either Open or Featured Exhibitors. Head On covers production, curatorial, and promotion costs for Featured Exhibitors so artists can focus on their practice.
One submission will also receive a $5,000 cash award.
Be seen, be supported, and be part of Head On Photo Festival 2026.
Showcasing outstanding work from enthusiasts, emerging and established artists, the Festival presents a powerful mix of online and in-person exhibitions and events across Sydney, with select exhibitions touring nationally and internationally.
Underscoring our belief that all photo artists need a fair chance to show their work, our selection panel reviews exhibition proposals without the artists’ names or pedigrees, ensuring that Head On selects work on merit.
Head On invites successful applicants to exhibit as part of the Festival as either Open or Featured Exhibitors. Head On covers production, curatorial, and promotion costs for Featured Exhibitors so artists can focus on their practice.
One submission will also receive a $5,000 cash award.
Be seen, be supported, and be part of Head On Photo Festival 2026.
Featured Photo Contest
AAP Magazine #57/Portrait
$1,000 cash prizes | Winning image(s) published in AAP Magazine #57 | Extensive press coverage and global recognition
© Aline Smithson
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 04/15/26
Creative Photo Awards is a project of Siena Awards, dedicated to rewarding originality, experimentation, and imagination by encouraging the creative use of the medium of photography in all its forms, including abstract and conceptual ideas.
ENDS 04/16/26
The main grant is open to professional photographers worldwide, one $30,000. grant
ENDS 04/16/26
Emerging Photographers (under 30 year old ) 2 X $ 5000 grants.
ENDS 04/16/26
Present your work to exhibit at PhMuseum Days 2026, our International Photography Festival taking place on 1–4 October in Bologna, Italy.
ENDS 04/17/26
Our 57th printed issue of AAP Magazine will feature the best projects showcasing the theme "Portrait".
ENDS 04/21/26
Be Featured in our April 2026 Online Juried Solo Exhibition!
ENDS 04/21/26
The first prize winner will receive £15,000, the second prize winner £3,000, and the third prize winner £2,000.
ENDS 04/30/26
If you're a passionate amateur or professional photographer, we invite you to share your photographic project with us.
ENDS 04/30/26
Tthe Inge Morath Award, a $7,500 grant given to a woman photographer under the age of 30 to support the completion of a long-term documentary project.
ENDS 04/30/26
The IPA recognizes photography’s leading talents who are creating, shaping and defining the world of photography today.
ENDS 05/04/26
For the tenth year running, the Société des Auteurs des Arts Visuels et de l’Image Fixe (SAIF) is funding the €8,000 prize to encourage the work of a photojournalist committed to long-term projects.
ENDS 05/07/26
The 2026 Virginia Prize, worth €10,000, will be awarded to its winner in November 2026.
ENDS 05/11/26
The Bibliothèque nationale de France will present the work of the Bourse du Talent winners alongside other prestigious photography awards as part of the exhibition La Photographie à tout Prix in December
ENDS 05/13/26
This prize, with a production budget of €25,000, is open to any new photographer or artist using photography, submitting a previously unpublished dummy book.
ENDS 05/17/26
MonoVisions Photography Awards are an international open call for photographers using black and white medium to express their visual language.
ENDS 05/19/26
The Grant is given in order to allow the winnerto carry out the photo-reportage which has been presented for the Grant.
ENDS 05/31/26
This season will feature five main categories, with ‘Family’ serving as the primary theme.
ENDS 06/01/26
The Lenscratch Student Prize has opened up a whole new line of connections, opportunities and exposure.
ENDS 06/03/26
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.
ENDS 06/15/26
Submit your best photographs now and get your chance to be one of the winners awarded in Siena!
ENDS 07/22/26
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.