There are literally hundreds of new photography contests advertised around the world each day. There are contests for every photographic style and skill level, and prizes can include cash, vacations, photographic equipment, exhibitions, and publication.
On this page, we list some of these opportunities as they become available. We only include contests that have prizes that we feel have some actual value to travel photographers (exposure is nice, but does not qualify here unless we feel it’s an amazing opportunity!) We do not list contests that come down to a “popular vote” at the end. We also try to avoid obvious scams, but advise you to read the rules carefully before entering! We are not affiliated with the sponsors, the judges, or the contests in any way.
Contest: The Mono Awards 2023
Description:Now in its fifth year, The Mono Awards, presented by SanDisk, is the only photography competition in Australia dedicated to black and white photography. The competition is hosted by Australian Photography and Capture. There are three categories in The Mono Awards: People, Places, Animals. You can enter one or more categories as many times as you like. Images entered in The Mono Awards competition must be black and white or monochrome. For the purposes of this competition a black and white image is defined as one that only includes shades of black, white and grey. A monochrome image may only include shades of one color, such as a sepia image. Images with more than one hue, such as split-toned, spot-colour, or color images are not eligible. Images may be converted from color to black and white or monochrome in post-production. Images may be captured digitally or on film.
Entry Fee: Early bird (1 February to 19 March 2023) $20; Standard (20 March to 30 April 2023) $25; Last minute (1 May to 28 May 2023) $30
Prize: Winners, Runners-Up and People’s Choice will share in a total prize pool of $13,500, including $10,000 cash.
Eligibility: The Mono Awards is open to citizens and residents of Australia and New Zealand. In order to receive a prize, winners must supply an Australian or New Zealand mailing address. Images must be in black and white or monochrome. Images must have been taken on or after 1 January 2021.An entrant may enter multiple times in one or more categories. Employees of Yaffa Media Pty Ltd (the competition organiser) and the sponsors of The Mono Awards 2023 are not permitted to enter the competition. Freelance writers and photographers who have been paid to contribute to Australian Photography or Capture since 1 January 2022 are not permitted to enter the competition.
Copyright and Usage Rights: Entrants retain copyright of their images. The entrant provides The Mono Awards, Australian Photography, and Capture a limited-use authorisation to publish and distribute their photographs for the sole purpose of promoting The Mono Awards. Images will be credited with the name of the photographer if used by The Mono Awards, Australian Photography, or Capture in any promotion.
Deadline: May 28, 2023
Contest: Amazing Vietnam
Description: The contest is being organised by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to promote the country’s tourism industry, as well as to attract more domestic and international tourists. Contestants are encouraged to capture images of tourism activities. Entries should be sent to www.anhnghethuatdulich.com.
Entry Fee: Free to enter.
Prize: One first, two second, three third and five consolation prizes will be presented to the most outstanding entries. Prizes are not specified. The award ceremony and photo exhibition are scheduled for July 2023 in Hanoi on the occasion of the 63rd founding anniversary of the Vietnamese tourism sector (July 9, 1960).
Eligibility: Open to professional and amateur photographers who are Vietnamese citizens living at home or abroad, as well as expats living or working in the country.
Copyright and Usage Rights: Copyright, compensation, and usage rights are not specified.
Deadline: June 6, 2023
Contest: American Photography Open 2023
Description:Welcome to American Photography Open 2023, celebrating the best pictures submitted by world-wide photo enthusiasts taken with any device. We are also happy to announce we are working with Vital Impacts this year, whose mission is supporting organizations who are protecting people, wildlife and habitats.
Entry Fee: Your initial entry is $20 (one image). Each additional entry will be $10. Once your entry has been paid there are no refunds provided.
Prize: All Open winners will receive prizes including selected products/ services from our partners. The Open Grand Prize winner will receive $5000, a Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 (model A063) for Sony mirrorless cameras ($899 value), a SanDisk 1 TB Extreme Pro Portable SSD, the choice of an 8×10 open edition print with a certificate from Vital Impacts, a PhotoShelter 2 year Pro account and a 2 hour business consultation with The Photo Closer. In addition to the 2023 Open prizes, our partner Tamron Americas is once again sponsoring our Landscape and Travel category Grand Prize and runners up winners. Please note this is open to residents of USA and Canada only. The Tamron Grand Prize winner will receive a Tamron 35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD (model A058) for Sony mirrorless cameras ($1899 value). Two Runners Up each receive a Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 (model A063) for Sony mirrorless cameras ($899 value). To enter the Tamron competition, select the Landscapes and Travel category and follow the instructions there. All Tamron entries will also be eligible for the Open prizes so there is no need to enter twice. You can enter both competitions as many times as you wish.
Eligibility: This contest is open to entrants of all ages, backgrounds and experience levels using whatever equipment, (phones to SLR’s) to create your image. All images on any subject matter are eligible as long as they were shot after January 1, 2020.
Copyright and Usage Rights: AI-AP does not retain any rights to your work when you make your Open submissions. Upon selection, permission is given only for use in the book, website, finalists exhibit and any promotion for American Photography relevant to the contest. Proper artist credit is always given along with contact information where applicable.
Deadline: August 31, 2023
Contest: Pennsylvania State Parks and Forests Through the Seasons
Description: All photos must have been taken in a Pennsylvania state park or state forest. The contest’s seven categories are: Mirror Images, Meditation, What Parks and Forests Mean to Me, Conversations, Celebrations and Young Photographers (ages 12 to 17).
Entry Fee: Free to enter.
Prize: Both Best in Show winners (People’s Choice and Judges’ Choice) receive a $75 state park gift card. The People’s Choice and Judges’ Choice winners in each category receive a $50 state park gift card. The runner-up in each category receives a $25 state park gift card.
Eligibility: All photos must have been taken in a Pennsylvania state park or state forest. Open to any photographer. Submitted photos should be original and previously unpublished in a commercial endeavor. Photographs that do not depict behavior in accordance with Leave No Trace principles will not be accepted. Photos must be assigned to a category by the contestant and can only be entered into one category. A maximum of 3 photos per entrant will be accepted in any one category.
Deadline: September 30, 2023
