International Photo Awards (IPA) 2026

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OUR MISSION: TO SALUTE THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE WORLD’S FINEST PHOTOGRAPHERS, TO DISCOVER NEW AND EMERGING TALENT, AND TO PROMOTE THE APPRECIATION OF PHOTOGRAPHY.

The International Photography Awards™ conducts an annual competition for professional, amateur, and student photographers on a global scale, creating one of the most ambitious and comprehensive photo competitions in the photography world today.

The category winners in both professional and amateur levels, listed here, will compete for IPA’s top two awards, which will be announced at the annual IPA Awards Gala. The main professional prize is International Photographer of the Year, selected from the 11 professional category winners and earning the coveted IPA Trophy and a cash prize of $10,000. The 11 category winners in the non-professional/student categories will compete for the title of Discovery of the Year. The winner will also be awarded the IPA Trophy and a $5,000 cash prize.

IPA is a sister-effort of the Lucie Foundation, 501(c) 3 non-profit, charitable foundation whose mission is to honor master photographers, discover and cultivate emerging talent, and promote the appreciation of photography worldwide. The annual programming of the Lucie Foundation is funded largely though the International Photography Awards, including the signature event, the Lucie Awards.

Prizes:

The 11 Category winners in the Professional Categories will each receive a $1,000 cash prize, and the 11 Category winners in the Non-Professional Categories will each receive a $500 prize. Each of the above winners will also receive two tickets to attend the IPA Awards Gala, where they will be finalists for the following titles:

THE INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR (PROFESSIONAL CATEGORIES) $10,000 cash prize
DISCOVERY OF THE YEAR (NON-PROFESSIONAL CATEGORIES) $5,000 cash prize
Work exhibited in Best of Show exhibition
Work screened at the IPA Awards Gala and at the House of Lucie Galleries around the world
Published in the IPA Annual Book
Press release and newsletter announcements to over 130,000 IPA members

Eligibility:

Anyone above 18

Copyrights & Usage Rights:

Copyright and all other rights remain that of the photographer. Any photograph used by IPA shall carry the photographer’s credit line. Use may include publication in any IPA media sponsor publication. All entrants understand that any image submitted to the competition may be used by IPA for marketing and promotional purposes including in any media such as exhibitions, print and digital media directly related to the IPA competition, though there may not be monetary compensation. By winning or placing in the competition you are agreeing to be included in the winners’ annual.

Theme:

Architecture Culture Documentary Environmental Fine Art Film Nature People Portrait Photojournalism Sports