National Geographic Pictures of the Year 2026
National Geographic Pictures of the Year is the NatGeo Society's annual celebration of the year's best photography, drawn from staff and contributing photographers and a free public open call. The contest applies NatGeo's standard authenticity rules: only camera-captured images, with standard post-processing permitted. Generative AI tools are prohibited for both creation and substantive alteration of image content.
- Deadline
- —
- Entry fee
- Free entry
Authenticity policy
AI policy
Photographs must be captured by a camera, and the use of generative AI tools to create or substantially alter image content is not permitted. Standard post-processing adjustments, including exposure correction, white balance, cropping, and noise reduction, are allowed.
RAW files
Not specified
Editing rules
National Geographic's main annual photography programme applies the standard NatGeo authenticity stance: camera-captured only, standard post-processing permitted, generative AI tools prohibited. Distinct from National Geographic Traveller (UK) Photography Competition, which is run by APL Media under licence and has its own rules.
Verified on June 12, 2026