Photography Contest

Polaroid x Magnum Open Call

Polaroid x Magnum Open Call

Deadline |

CLOSED

Theme |

Empathy-driven story

Territory |

Worldwide

Eligibility |

Open to all

Entry Fees |

FREE

Prizes |

Equipment
Enter your photography folio and the empathy-driven story you want to capture for your chance to earn a Polaroid I-2 camera, 12 packs of Polaroid Film to capture your story and participate in online critique with three Magnum photographers.

Instant photography is a tool for building human connection.

As our world becomes increasingly hyper-digitized, it’s critical that we preserve a core pillar of photography: human connection. The ability to see things from someone else’s perspective. Empathy. And seeing life not as only black and white, but all shades of gray. We are looking for stories of subcultures, topics, professions, beliefs or movements that are often overlooked, misunderstood or could be simply benefitted by viewership through an empathetic lens.

To join the Polaroid X Magnum Open Call, submit two separate photo stories, with up to 15 images per story and a 50-word write-up of an empathy-building, perspective-changing story you believe will help people see life in all shades of gray. This story must be feasible to shoot—or a project you’re currently shooting—as, should your entry be selected, you will receive a Polaroid I-2 Camera and enough Polaroid Film to capture this story. Which will have the opportunity to be showcased and accredited globally on Polaroid and Magnum channels.

NOTE: YOU DO NOT NEED TO SUBMIT POLAROID IMAGES. Analog or digital imagery is acceptable as the winners will receive everything they need to become competent in instant photography.

What winners receive
A Polaroid I-2 Instant Camera
12 packs of Polaroid i-Type BW Film
Intro session with Polaroid representative
3 online group critiques with Magnum-represented photographers (of approx. 2 hours each) with the other winners

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Best Photography Contests in 2024

Each year, there are hundreds of photography competitions all over the world, so we've decided to select for you the best of the best! Our selection of the best photo contests in 2024 is thoroughly curated to help you, whether you are a professional photographer or an amateur, to help find your next creative breakthrough. These all-star competitions offer the greatest opportunities for international exposure and/or incredible financial benefits. Some of them are closing soon, so get your photo submissions in!

ENDS 12/15/25
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ENDS 12/17/25
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ENDS 12/31/25
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ENDS 01/06/26
Rewarding the best single images! Enter for free and you could win $5,000, top Sony digital imaging equipment plus more!
ENDS 01/06/26
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ENDS 01/06/26
First place receives Sony Digital Imaging equipment and inclusion in the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition and book
ENDS 01/07/26
Guest Room aims to spark collaboration.
ENDS 01/09/26
All Finalists: All five finalists participate in a group exhibition organized by Aperture at AIPAD in New York in April 2026.
ENDS 01/09/26
First-place winners in each category will receive $3,000, while second and third places will get $1,500 and $1,000, respectively.
ENDS 01/12/26
The Prize intends to recognise one overall winner who will receive a €10,000 cash prize, and two runners-up who will each receive €2,500
ENDS 01/13/26
Rewarding the best photo series worldwide! Enter for free and you could win $25,000, a range of Sony digital imaging equipment plus more!
ENDS 01/17/26
The annual photo contest rewards photographers for the best single exposure pictures contributing to the past year of visual journalism.
ENDS 02/15/26
Art is born out of passion. Fine Art photography is a perfect instrument, which allows a person to communicate with the world and share their vision. It results from the author's deep sensitivity, a need to express feelings through image.
ENDS 03/01/26
Full Tuition, a Leica camera system on loan for the academic year and an opportunity to present their work at the Leica Store in New York City’s Meatpacking District.
ENDS 03/02/26
The biennial Belfast Photo Festival provided the perfect platform for gaining exposure to an international audience, with previous editions having welcome over 100,000 visitors from all over the world
ENDS 03/04/26
BUDAPEST INTERNATIONAL FOTO AWARDS is an international platform for photographers from all levels and genres to share their best images with the creative community in Hungary and Eastern Europe.
ENDS 03/31/26
Entries are open worldwide to photographers using an iPhone or iPad. Photos should not be published previously anywhere. The posts on personal accounts (Facebook, Instagram etc.) are eligible.
ENDS 05/07/26
The 2026 Virginia Prize, worth €10,000, will be awarded to its winner in November 2026.
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MonoVisions Photography Awards are an international open call for photographers using black and white medium to express their visual language.
ENDS 07/22/26
Submit your best work to our photo competition for a chance to win up to $11,500 in cash prizes, be selected by our curators for the PX3 exhibition in Paris and inclusion in the Annual PX3 book.