2026 MUSE Photography Awards

Celebrating Vision, Skill, and Global Recognition in Photography

Deadline: 26 February 2026
Entry fee: Early Bird: Oct 16 - Nov 13, 2025 Professional ($30) / Amateur or Student ($25) Regular: Nov 14 - Dec 11, 2025 Professional ($35) / Amateur or Student ($30) Final: Dec 12, 2025 - Jan 15, 2026 Professional ($40) / Amateur or Student ($35) Final Extensi3on: Jan 16 - Feb 26, 2026 Professional ($45) / Amateur or Student ($40) Winner Announcement: April 10, 2026
Website: https://musephotographyawards.com/

Submit

The MUSE Photography Awards celebrates the creative ethos and underlying afternotes of what makes a photograph so influential. We want to see the ever-thriving visuals arts community grow from the view of their camera lens and share stories that will live on for decades to come.

From promoting the work of photography professionals to aspiring visual arts extraordinaires, our mission is to provide one of the best competitive platforms to display your work to the world.

Like the mythological Muses themselves, your ideas, expertise and creative vision will redefine who you are as a photographer. This is your time to share your vision to the world.

Categories:
The MUSE Photography Awards categories consist of Architecture Photography, Commercial Photography, Editorial Photography, Event Photography, Fine Art Photography, Nature Photography, People Photography, Mobile Photography, Black & White Photography, Minimalist Photography, Fashion Photography, Film Photography, Advertising Photography and other special categories, such as Comedy Photography, Mobile Photography, etc.
Judges reserve the right to withhold an award in a category if submissions do not meet their expectations.

We recommend each synopsis to be kept at approximately 350 words. Do utilize this section to elaborate on the piece as well as providing the jury with a better understanding of your subject. A written translation or adaptation must accompany non-English entries.

Images should be saved in a flattened JPEG or JPG format. (keep them under 4MB, 1,200px wide is preferable, 300dpi, RGB).

Evaluation Criteria:
Originality (Uniqueness of Concept / Expression of Theme)
Creativity / Story / Mood
Technical Execution (Composition, Color, Lighting, Exposure and Focus)
Marketability / Newsworthiness / Current / Potential Social Impact
Overall Impression / Wow! Factor / Memorable

Prizes:

Each year, the MUSE Photography Awards honors the best in creativity from around the globe, while you give us a glimpse into the future of the profession.

MUSE Photographer of the Year (Professional Category) will receive $3,000 in cash prizes and a MUSE Statuette.
MUSE Photographer of the Year (Amateur Category) will receive $2,000 in cash prizes and a MUSE Statuette.
10 Category Winners of the Year (Professional and Amateur Categories) will receive $100 in cash prizes each.
All Photographers of the Year, Category Winners of the Year, Platinum, Gold & Silver winners will receive a MUSE e-certificate.
Top tier (Platinum, Gold, and Silver) winners will be featured on MUSE Photography Awards site's Gallery, where professionals can view your work.
Professionally designed logos for use on websites, in email signatures, etc.
In addition to the e-certificates, Platinum, Gold, and Silver winners may purchase beautiful MUSE Awards statuettes.
The winning entries from the MUSE Photographers of the Year, Category Winners of the Year, Platinum, Gold & Silver winners will be publicized on the MUSE online gallery and any published MUSE Awards materials.

Eligibility:

The MUSE Photography Awards is open to: Professional Photographers Amateur Photographers Student Photographers Agencies Designers In-House Marketing Business Owners Anyone aged 18 and above residing anywhere in the world

Copyrights & Usage Rights:

Theme:

Abstract Digital Art Architecture Black and White Cityscapes Documentary Environmental Fashion Fine Art Landscape Macro/Micro Nature Portrait Photomanipulation Photojournalism Seascapes