Photography competitions are a great way to present your photographs to a wide range of audiences. The main highlight is gaining feedback. When you show your work in front of fellow photographers, you get a chance to get valuable feedback about your work which allows you to grow. It inspires you to do better and go out of your comfort zone.
There are many photography competitions out there for photographers to gain exposure and confidence in their work. Here we have listed 5 of the best photography competitions to kick start your career.
Fine Art Photography Awards
Fine Art Photography Awards focuses on a photograph that sees the new trends of the world. They provide a platform for passion, interest, diversity, and beauty. They seek artists who live for creativity. Fine Arts allow their contestants to take center stage and explain the beauty in their photographs. They have 20 categories for both professional and amateur photographers.
Prize: $5,000
Eligibility: Open to all
Categories: Abstract, Architecture, Cityscape, Conceptual, Fashion, Fine Art, Landscape, Nature, Night Photography, Nudes, Open Theme, Panoramic, People, Photojournalism, Portrait, Seascape, Street Photography, Travel, Wildlife.
Deadline: 10th October 2021
Annual Photography Awards
The Annual Photography Award aspires to preserve craft as a contemporary medium of fine art. They want to help photographers rise in their careers. Any contestant can participate in up to eight categories. They accept all formats as they impose no restrictions on interpretation and creativity. The photographers will receive global attention through this platform.
Prize: $500 allocated for each category
Eligibility: Must be 18 years of age.
Categories: Abstract, Architecture, Landscape, Photojournalism, Portrait, Fine Art, Landscape, Street, and Wildlife.
Entry Fees: $30 for one photo and $40 for a series.
Deadline: 5th December 2021
19th Annual Smithsonian Photo Contest
The Smithsonian offers photographers six categories to participate in. The Smithsonian magazine organizes it, and all the categories are drawn, taking inspiration from the magazine’s subjects. The selecting committee selects ten finalists for each category. Then winners are chosen from there. $500 is allocated for each type. The entry is entirely free. Their multi-themed types, along with the no entry fee rule, allow a wide range of photographers to participate. I say if you think you have some great pictures stored, participate in this.
Prize: $2,500
Eligibility: 18 years or older.
Categories: Nature World, Travel, People, The American Experience, Altered Images, Mobile.
Entry Fees: Free
Deadline: 30th November 2021
Monochrome Awards
The Monochrome Photography Awards is an annual competition that welcomes professional and amateur photographers to present their monochrome photographs. They celebrate the monochrome visions and want to bring out the most beautiful visions of the world in black and white. The winners receive titles and prizes. The titles are Monochrome Photographer of the Year and Monochrome Discovery of the Year. So if you think black and white is your game, do participate.
Prize: $1,000
Eligibility: Open to all
Categories: Abstract, Architecture, Conceptual, Fashion and Art, Nature, People, Photojournalism, Street, Travel, Urban and Wildlife.
Entry Fees: $20 entry for professionals and $15 entry for amateurs
Deadline: 14th November 2021
Unlike Portrait Awards
The Unlike Portrait award is an international photo contest. It focuses on celebrating the diversity of human life along with portrait photography. They encourage and welcome photographers from all over the world. That means the contestants get a global audience to showcase their skills. They focus on culture, fashion – basically things that relate to human life. I think it’s an excellent opportunity for photographers.
Prize: Digital Award and publication in winners gallery their magazine
Eligibility: At least 18 years of age
Categories: Black and White, Culture, Fashion, People, Portrait and Self-Portrait
Entry Fees: Amateur €25 and Professional €25
Deadline: 30th November 2021
These contests are significant in terms of gaining exposure, confidence, and prize, of course. Do check them out if you love photography.
