The Best Photo Contests to Enter in 2024

1. Sony World Photography Awards (SWPA) 2024

Deadline: January 12th 2024 (Professional) / January 5th 2024 (Open)
Prizes: Sony brand photography equipment, cash prizes to be divided between winners, with a main prize of $25,000. International exhibition of the works of the winners, and more.
Entry Fee: free
Website: https://www.worldphoto.org/

Sony World Photography Awards is one of the most valued photo contests in the world. A high monetary prize, physical prizes, professional, amateur, students, and young photographers categories, as well as lack of an entry fee make it one of the most popular ones as well. The competition here is extreme, and a distinction will help you with further success and fame in the world of art.

2. Fine Art Photography Awards (FAPA) 2024

Deadline: February 11th 2024
Prizes: $5,000 to be divided between winners, international exhibition of the works of the winners, plus the titles of Professional Fine Art Photographer of the Year 2024, Amateur Fine Art Photographer of the Year 2024, and others.
Entry Fee: Professional: Single 25$, Series 30$ / Amateur: Single 20$, Series 25$
Website: https://fineartphotoawards.com/

Fine Art Photography Awards is the first international competition fully dedicated to fine art photography. It launched in 2014, and immediately gained recognition among both photographers and art lovers.

In the 8th edition, you will be able to submit your work for 20 different categories, including an open category. The international jury here will judge the artistic expression of the subject first and foremost. Every person that does photography as an art form should try their luck in this contest.

3. National Geographic Photography Competitions 2024

Deadline: over a dozen contests throughout the year.
Prizes: Photography expeditions, photography and tourism equipment, international exhibit, photography exhibit, magazine publications.
Entry Fee: Varies depending on the contest.
Website: https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/competitions

One of the most popular contests in the world, with a lot of history and renown. If you do nature, travel, or landscape photography, National Geographic definitely has something for you. Prestigious photo contests organized by the most popular travel magazine in the world are open for new submissions every year. The most well known categories are Travel Photographer of the Year and Nature Photographer of the Year.

4. Monochrome Photography Awards 2024

Deadline: November 17th, 2024
Prizes: $3,000 to be divided among winners, photo publication in a book, international exhibition of the works of the winners, titles of Monochrome Photographer of the Year 2024 and Monochrome Discovery of the Year 2024, certificates, decorations, and more.
Entry Fee: Professional: 27$ / Amateur: 22$ (fees are 5$ lower before Early Deadline)
Website: https://monoawards.com/

The most important contest for black and white photography lovers. Since 2014, it has been pulling in masses of photographers, and the winning galleries are often published by international magazines and websites. Thanks to the distinction between professional and amateur categories, it’s also a great place for people who have just started their adventure with black and white photography to show their works. A book with the best contest photos is published every year.

5. Monovisions Photography Awards 2024

Deadline: May 19th, 2024
Prizes: $3,000 & $2,000 for the winning photographers, exhibit in the winners’ gallery, certificates, decorations, and more.
Entry Fee: Series 30$ / Single 25$ (fees are 5$ lower before Early Deadline)
Website: https://monovisionsawards.com/

The aim of the competition is to discover the best monochrome photographers from around the world and provide the best opportunities to be recognized and rewarded for their work. You can compete for $ 5,000 in cash prizes in two categories: Black and White Photo of 2024 and Black and White Series 2024.

6. ND Awards – Neutral Density Photography Awards 2024

Deadline: September 22nd, 2024
Prizes: $10,000 to be divided between winners, international exhibition of the works of the winners, titles of ND Photographer of the Year 2024 and ND Discovery of the Year 2024, publication in the ND Magazine, and others.
Entry Fee: Professional: Single 29$, Series 34$ / Amateur: Single 24$, Series 29$ (fees are 5$ lower before Early Deadline)
Website: https://ndawards.net/

One of our favorite photo contests, rewarding photos in multiple diverse categories, divided into professional and amateur sections. It’s probably one of the best contests to start your photo contest adventure with. The monetary prizes are given out for not only Grand Prix, but also for winners of every section. The winners gain prestige, recognition, and fame. The contest is ran by the ND Magazine – a photography portal existing since 2008.

7. Nikon International Small World Photo Contest 2024

Deadline: April 30th, 2024
Prizes: Monetary prizes for winners of the first 20 places, as well as Honorable Mentions (from $100 to $3,000).
Entry Fee: Free.
Website: https://www.nikonsmallworld.com/

The most important photo contest which presents the beauty and complexity of the microworld. It’s open for every person who combines photography with science and creates photos using a light microscope. The contest is firmly grounded in the industry. It has been running since 1975, and each year, it delivers many amazing photos of the microworld. Even if you don’t intend to participate, make sure to visit the website and check out the winners – it’s worth seeing!

8. Istanbul Photo Awards 2024

Deadline: January 17th, 2024
Prizes: Single News 1st prize winner will be nominated as “Photo of the Year”, the laureate receives 6.000 USD in total. Also other cash and equipment prizes will be given. Winners will be exhibited.
Entry Fee: Free.
Website: https://istanbulphotoawards.com/

Istanbul Photo Awards is an international news photography contest organized by Anadolu Agency. The contest aims to contribute to the sphere of news photography and offers a perspective shaped by the region’s unique position at the center of diverse cultures. The awards reward endeavors of courageous and talented photojournalists from around the world on merit.

9. Chromatic Color Photography Awards 2024

Deadline: October 27th, 2024
Prizes: $3,000 to be divided among winners, photo publication in a book, international exhibition of the works of the winners, titles of Chromatic Photographer of the Year 2024 and Chromatic Discovery of the Year 2024, certificates, decorations, and more.
Entry Fee: Professional: 25$ / Amateur: 20$ (fees are 5$ lower before Early Deadline)
Website: https://chromaticawards.com/

This is a very special contest on the map of international photography prizes. 2024 marks the fourth edition, and the contest is dedicated to only color photography. It contains 20 different categories, each one with 1-3 winning places and Honorable Mentions. Every year, a book with the best awarded photos is published. It’s open for both professionals and amateurs, so if you don’t specialize in black and white photography, you can try your luck here!

10. iPhone Photography Awards 2024

Deadline: March 31st, 2024
Prizes: Gold and platinum bars.
Entry Fee: 1 image: $5.50, 3 images: $12.50, 5 images: $18.50, 10 images: $37.50.
Website: https://www.ippawards.com/

If you’re looking for a mobile photography contest, you won’t find anything better – it’s the most important contest for photographers that take their photos using their smartphones. The rules are very simple – you just need a photo made with an iPhone or an iPad. The entry fee is very low, so everyone can join in and try their chances at winning the contest.