Photo contests, indexed by authenticity policy
Compare AI rules, RAW requirements, and entry policies across the world's major photography competitions. Every fact is sourced and dated.
Open contests
Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2026
AI banned
- Deadline
- Jun 30, 2026
- Entry
- Free
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Epson International Pano Awards 2026
AI banned
- Deadline
- Jul 14, 2026
- Entry
- US$22 per image (Open); US$20 per image (Amateur); US$20 per image (VR/360)
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PX3 Prix de la Photographie Paris 2026
AI banned
- Deadline
- Jul 22, 2026
- Entry
- €30 single image; €50 series (2–8 images) or book; 20% discount per additional category
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Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) 2026
AI bannedRAW for finalists
- Deadline
- Oct 12, 2026
- Entry
- From £14 per entry; free for entrants 18 and under; TPOTY Pass £99 for unlimited entries until 31 July
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In judging
Closed contests
Sony World Photography Awards 2026
AI: ambiguous policyRAW not required
- Deadline
- Closed
- Entry
- Multi-track: Single Image (free), Series, Student, Youth — fee varies by track
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LensCulture Critics' Choice 2026
AI banned
- Deadline
- Closed
- Entry
- One free single image; US$10 per additional image; US$35 for five judged individually; US$45 for a series of up to 10
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Audubon Photography Awards 2026
AI banned
- Deadline
- Closed
- Entry
- US$15 per image or video; free for Youth division (ages 13–17)
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BigPicture Natural World Photography Competition 2026
AI banned
- Deadline
- Closed
- Entry
- US$25 for up to 10 images; US$15 photo story; 15% early-bird discount before 15 January
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Deutscher Jugendfotopreis 2026
AI: category-only
- Deadline
- Closed
- Entry
- Free
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Pulitzer Prize (Photography Categories) 2026
AI bannedRAW mandatory
- Deadline
- Closed
- Entry
- Entry fee per category (not surfaced in source materials)
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NPPA Best of Photojournalism 2026
AI bannedRAW for finalists
- Deadline
- Closed
- Entry
- Free for NPPA members in good standing; US$90 for non-members
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Pictures of the Year International (POYi) 83
AI bannedRAW for finalists
- Deadline
- Closed
- Entry
- US$50 early; US$60 after 6 January
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Underwater Photographer of the Year 2026 (UPY)
AI bannedRAW for shortlist
- Deadline
- Closed
- Entry
- £20 / £35 / £45 for up to 3 / 10 / 20 images; Mobile Phone category is free
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World Sports Photography Awards 2026
AI banned
- Deadline
- Closed
- Entry
- Free
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International Landscape Photographer of the Year (12th, 2025)
AI banned
- Deadline
- Closed
- Entry
- US$25 per image; every fifth entry free if entered before 1 September
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Nikon Photo Contest 2024-2025
AI banned
- Deadline
- Closed
- Entry
- Free
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World Press Photo Contest 2026
AI bannedRAW mandatory
- Deadline
- Closed
- Entry
- Free
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Glanzlichter der Naturfotografie 2026
AI banned
- Deadline
- Closed
- Entry
- €30 standard; €15 for entrants under 18
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Bird Photographer of the Year 2026
AI bannedRAW for finalists
- Deadline
- Closed
- Entry
- £35 for 25 entries (plus VAT for UK entrants)
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Wildlife Photographer of the Year 62 (2026)
AI bannedRAW for finalists
- Deadline
- Closed
- Entry
- £35 adult (up to 25 photos); free for 18–26 and waiver-list countries
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