Photography Contest
Lenscratch Student Prize 2026
Deadline |
06/01/26Theme |
OpenTerritory |
WorldwideEligibility |
StudentsEntry Fees |
FREEPrizes |
ExhibitionHost |
LenscratchThe 2026 Lenscratch Student Prize is now open for submissions. The LSP seeks to support the next generation of photographers by offering monetary awards and professional networking opportunities to artists creating innovative and compelling work. Educators! Please share widely!
Students currently enrolled in any bachelor’s or master’s degree program in photography are encouraged to apply.
AWARDS
FIRST PRIZE
a $2000 Cash Award and a feature on Lenscratch
a year long mentorship with Aline Smithson
a review session with Crista Dix, a seat at the New England Portfolio Reviews, and a family membership from The Griffin Museum of Photography
a review session with Samantha Johnson of the Colorado Photographic Arts Center
a review session with Rotem Rozental, a seat at the Exposure Reviews, and a membership from the Los Angeles Center of Photography
a mini exhibition on the Curated Fridge
a $500 gift certificate from Freestyle Photo
a collection of books from St. Lucy Books
a collection of books from Kris Graves Projects
a collection of books from Zatara Press
a collection of books from Workshop Arts and Luminosity Lab
a Lenscratch T-Shirt and tote
SECOND PRIZE
a $1000 Cash Award
a feature on Lenscratch
a mini exhibition on the Curated Fridge
a Lenscratch T-shirt and tote
THIRD PRIZE
a $750 Cash Award
a feature on Lenscratch
a mini exhibition on the Curated Fridge
a Lenscratch T-shirt and tote
4 HONORABLE MENTIONS
$500 Cash Award
a feature on Lenscratch
a mini exhibition on the Curated Fridge
a Lenscratch T-shirt and tote
Students currently enrolled in any bachelor’s or master’s degree program in photography are encouraged to apply.
AWARDS
FIRST PRIZE
a $2000 Cash Award and a feature on Lenscratch
a year long mentorship with Aline Smithson
a review session with Crista Dix, a seat at the New England Portfolio Reviews, and a family membership from The Griffin Museum of Photography
a review session with Samantha Johnson of the Colorado Photographic Arts Center
a review session with Rotem Rozental, a seat at the Exposure Reviews, and a membership from the Los Angeles Center of Photography
a mini exhibition on the Curated Fridge
a $500 gift certificate from Freestyle Photo
a collection of books from St. Lucy Books
a collection of books from Kris Graves Projects
a collection of books from Zatara Press
a collection of books from Workshop Arts and Luminosity Lab
a Lenscratch T-Shirt and tote
SECOND PRIZE
a $1000 Cash Award
a feature on Lenscratch
a mini exhibition on the Curated Fridge
a Lenscratch T-shirt and tote
THIRD PRIZE
a $750 Cash Award
a feature on Lenscratch
a mini exhibition on the Curated Fridge
a Lenscratch T-shirt and tote
4 HONORABLE MENTIONS
$500 Cash Award
a feature on Lenscratch
a mini exhibition on the Curated Fridge
a Lenscratch T-shirt and tote
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 05/01/26
Our 57th printed issue of AAP Magazine will feature the best projects showcasing the theme "Portrait".
ENDS 05/03/26
Praxis Gallery seeks the submission of photographic art that explores the in-between moments of life and endeavors to notice the unnoticeable, the mundane, the banal and anti-climactic.
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 05/07/26
Guest Room aims to spark collaboration.
ENDS 05/07/26
Present your work to exhibit at PhMuseum Days 2026, our International Photography Festival taking place on 1–4 October in Bologna, Italy.
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 05/19/26
Be Featured in our June 2026 Online Juried Solo Exhibition!
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 06/05/26
The application comprises a report made up of 8 to 15 photos.
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.