Don’t Enter Photography Competitions Until You Read This

Photography competitions are a good way to get your name out there. They can also be financially beneficial and one of the easiest ways to get your work into a photo gallery. But they can be expensive, especially if you’re constantly rolling the dice. In this article, I’m sharing some points to consider before making that investment and potentially wasting your money.

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I’ve entered several photography competitions throughout my career. Most notably, I won The Guardian Travel Photography Competition back in 2018, and more recently had my work exhibited in the Leica Gallery Vienna through the Leica Street Photo competition.

On the other hand, I’ve also been a judge for a few photography competitions. From that perspective, I’ve been able to spot the common mistakes photographers make when submitting their work. I’ll also give you some points to consider before entering.

Submitting Bad Photography

Photography competitions are about submitting your best work. Yet I’ve seen several photographers submit really poor photographs. I once saw someone enter a snapshot of an ordinary street into a street photography competition, and another send in a picture of a bush for a travel photography competition.

These are extreme cases, of course. But I’ve also seen countless photographers submit mundane, less-than-ordinary work. The reality is that when judges are sifting through a sea of images, photographs like these will never stand out. They’re a surefire way to get lost in the blur.

That’s not to say the mundane doesn’t have its place. I’ve often written about how not every image needs to be spectacular. However, for competitions, your entry does need to be special in some way.

Ask yourself before submitting: would this really look good on the winners’ page? Is this photograph strong enough to demand attention in an oversaturated pool of images? Be honest with yourself, and if the answer is no, move on.

Not Understanding the Brief

I understand that genres can overlap. Street can merge with travel, cityscapes can blend into architecture. But competitions tend to be very clear about what they’re looking for in their call for entries. Don’t just submit an image you think might fit – read the T&Cs and make sure your photo matches the brief.

I’ve seen this mistake firsthand many times: headshots (and no, not street portraits) submitted to street photography competitions, or wildlife images entered into travel contests. These submissions aren’t given a second thought, no matter how good they are.

A top tip is to study winners from previous years. This gives you a solid idea of what organizers and judges are looking for. If your work doesn’t align with that, don’t waste your time and money.

Research the Judges

Photo by Brett Jordan

Success in photography competitions doesn’t come down solely to image quality. In many cases, it depends on the taste of the judges – the people you actually need to impress.

Most judges are photographers themselves, which means they create and consume photography daily. Even unintentionally, they’ll be drawn to images that align with their personal taste.

Research the judges. Look at their work, review the winners they’ve selected in the past, and even check what kind of photographers they follow on social media. This gives you a strong indication of whether your work might appeal to them.

Of course, it’s not a hard rule, but in my experience, I often know exactly the kind of work certain judges will choose as soon as I see their names.

Submitting to Money Grabs

Photo By: Kaboompics.com

There’s nothing wrong with competitions making money. But some are clearly just cash grabs. These are usually organizations that only run photography competitions, with no real authority in the industry. Their main goal isn’t to find good photography, it’s to make as much money as possible.

Over the years, several sources have told me that many of these competitions already know who will win. They’ll even reach out to certain photographers offering “special discounts” to enter (something I’ve experienced myself). It’s a ploy to drive up income, not to give more people a fair chance.

If an organization exists solely to run competitions and doesn’t hold real industry credibility, avoid them.

Not Saving RAW Files

Photo by fauxels

This is a relatively new issue, but one photographers need to keep in mind. With the rise of AI imagery and all the controversy around it, many competitions now require the original RAW file to verify that your entry is either a) not entirely AI-generated or b) not excessively manipulated in ways that break their rules.

It’s also wise to add metadata to your images, which modern cameras allow you to do. This helps verify when the image was taken, as some competitions only accept work from certain dates. Be careful, as the best photo editing software can strip metadata without you realizing. Keeping your originals safe is essential.

When the Prize Is “Exposure”

If major camera brands, respected publications, or leading institutions are offering non-monetary prizes (even if you pay to enter) there can still be value in winning.

But in reality, very few organizations can give you exposure that truly matters. If a competition charges $10–$20 and the main prize is “exposure,” or worse, just a digital certificate (yes, really), don’t waste your time. The only people who benefit from those contests are the organizers.

Photography Competitions Worth Your Money

When I enter competitions, I only consider those with real industry weight. Contests that can elevate a career, get work in front of the right eyes, and justify the entry fee. Below is my personal list of competitions that consistently live up to their reputation, divided by genre. Some of them a free photo contents too, which is a bonus.

Street Photography Competitions

• LensCulture Street Photography Awards

• Pure Street Photography Grant

• Leica Street Photo

Travel Photography Competitions

• Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY)

• National Geographic Traveller Photography Competition

• Sony World Photography Awards

Portrait Photography Competitions

• Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize

• Portrait of Humanity

• International Photography Awards (IPA)

Nature Photography Competitions

• Nature Photographer of the Year

• BigPicture Natural World Photography Competition

• World Nature Photography Awards

Landscape Photography Competitions

• Landscape Photographer of the Year

• International Landscape Photographer of the Year

• Siena International Photo Awards

Wildlife Photography Competitions

• Wildlife Photographer of the Year

• British Wildlife Photography Awards

• Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

Smartphone Photography Competitions

• iPhone Photography Awards (IPPA)

• Mobile Photography Awards (MPA)

Photojournalism

• World Press Photo Contest

• Pictures of the Year International (POYi)

• Visa pour l’Image – International Festival of Photojournalism Awards

• Bayeux Calvados-Normandy Award for War Correspondents

• Rory Peck Awards (News Photography)

Signing Off

Now that you have a clearer idea of how to maximize your chances in photography competitions, all that’s left is to enter. Remember: be brutally honest with yourself about the quality of your work, and always research the history and credibility of a competition before handing over your money.

Also, entering doesn’t have to be overly serious. Photography competitions can be fun, a good way to earn recognition, and even a chance to connect with other photographers (especially if there’s a winners’ party).

What’s your experience with photo contests? Are there any organizations you think people should avoid? Let me know in the comments.

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FAQs

Are photography contests worth it?
Yes, they can be. Competitions can bring both monetary and career value. Just be sure to do your research before entering and make sure your work is genuinely strong enough to justify the fee.

What is the most prestigious photography competition?
There are several big-name contests across genres. Some of the most prestigious include the Sony World Photography Awards, World Press Photo Contest, iPhone Photography Awards, and the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize.