Photography Contest

Polaroid x Magnum Open Call

Deadline |
CLOSEDTheme |
Empathy-driven storyTerritory |
WorldwideEligibility |
Open to allEntry Fees |
FREEPrizes |
EquipmentHost |
Magnum PhotosEnter 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
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
Featured Photo Contest
AAP Magazine #57/Portrait
$1,000 cash prizes | Winning image(s) published in AAP Magazine #57 | Extensive press coverage and global recognition
© Aline Smithson
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 04/28/26
Our 57th printed issue of AAP Magazine will feature the best projects showcasing the theme "Portrait".
ENDS 04/30/26
If you're a passionate amateur or professional photographer, we invite you to share your photographic project with us.
ENDS 04/30/26
Gomma invites you to take part in this new adventure. Show us the limitless nuances of our world in monochrome.
ENDS 04/30/26
The IPA recognizes photography’s leading talents who are creating, shaping and defining the world of photography today.
ENDS 04/30/26
Tthe Inge Morath Award, a $7,500 grant given to a woman photographer under the age of 30 to support the completion of a long-term documentary project.
ENDS 05/03/26
Praxis Gallery seeks the submission of photographic art that explores the in-between moments of life and endeavors to notice the unnoticeable, the mundane, the banal and anti-climactic.
ENDS 05/04/26
For the tenth year running, the Société des Auteurs des Arts Visuels et de l’Image Fixe (SAIF) is funding the €8,000 prize to encourage the work of a photojournalist committed to long-term projects.
ENDS 05/07/26
The 2026 Virginia Prize, worth €10,000, will be awarded to its winner in November 2026.
ENDS 05/07/26
Present your work to exhibit at PhMuseum Days 2026, our International Photography Festival taking place on 1–4 October in Bologna, Italy.
ENDS 05/11/26
The Bibliothèque nationale de France will present the work of the Bourse du Talent winners alongside other prestigious photography awards as part of the exhibition La Photographie à tout Prix in December
ENDS 05/13/26
This prize, with a production budget of €25,000, is open to any new photographer or artist using photography, submitting a previously unpublished dummy book.
ENDS 05/17/26
MonoVisions Photography Awards are an international open call for photographers using black and white medium to express their visual language.
ENDS 05/19/26
Be Featured in our June 2026 Online Juried Solo Exhibition!
ENDS 05/19/26
The Grant is given in order to allow the winnerto carry out the photo-reportage which has been presented for the Grant.
ENDS 05/31/26
This season will feature five main categories, with ‘Family’ serving as the primary theme.
ENDS 06/01/26
The Lenscratch Student Prize has opened up a whole new line of connections, opportunities and exposure.
ENDS 06/03/26
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 06/15/26
Submit your best photographs now and get your chance to be one of the winners awarded in Siena!
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.