Photography Contest

2025 Newsroom Applications
Deadline |
CLOSEDTheme |
Locally relevant and representative visual journalismTerritory |
WorldwideEligibility |
NewsroomsEntry Fees |
FREEPrizes |
OtherHost |
CatchlightCatchLight and Report for America are announcing an expanded partnership to place subsidized photojournalists in up to 20 local newsrooms throughout the United States in 2025 and provide comprehensive photo desk support to all participating organizations.
The news represents a significant expansion of the CatchLight Local Visual Desk, which offers fee-based memberships for visual production, editing support, and training for its newsroom members. At a time when local newsroom photo desks have been decimated, the Visual Desk provides shared visual journalism services at a fractional cost so newsrooms can deliver information, advance representation, and engage their audiences through relevant, high-quality visual stories and content.
“It is a true privilege to build on the success of the CatchLight Local Visual Desk and our partnership with Report for America. In this era of highly visual communication, it is critical that we serve audiences where they are,” said Elodie Mailliet Storm, CEO of CatchLight. “The benefit of having a full-time photojournalism Fellow and a news team backed by the CatchLight Local Visual Desk is that our members can increase their capacities at every stage of the reporting process, from visual documentation to distribution and engagement."
CatchLight and Report for America will pay half the photojournalists’ salary the first year, 33% the second year and 20% the third year. They will recruit photojournalists, creating slates of candidates for newsrooms to further vet and select. These journalists work directly for the newsrooms, receiving professional development, mentorship, and other opportunities from Report for America. As CatchLight Local Visual Desk members, newsrooms will have access to tools, training, and editing support for their photojournalist and other newsroom staff.
“We are delighted to move into this next phase of partnership with CatchLight,” said Rob Zeaske, president and CEO of The GroundTruth Project, Report for America’s parent organization. “Report for America is focused on supporting the next generation of journalists and newsrooms and this partnership strengthens reporters, news organizations and communities with sustainable investments in new media.”
The expansion follows the organizations’ successful partnership in California, launched in 2019, with support from numerous philanthropic organizations in the journalism field.
“The partnership with CatchLight and Report for America, and having someone as talented as staff photographer Pablo Unzueta, has really helped us see how critical visuals are to serving communities, especially underrepresented communities. They literally get to see themselves reflected in the stories,” said Erika Carlos, editor in chief of El Tecolote.
Photojournalists in the cohort receive coaching and editing support to develop visually-driven stories, features, and editorial products and maximize engagement online and in their communities. Their benefits also include workshops and professional development, networking and community-building with peers and mentors, and access to additional resources through the CatchLight Impact Fund.
CatchLight’s membership offerings provide local newsrooms with shared visual support, regardless of the size and scope of their existing visual resources. CatchLight Local Visual Desk services include access to photo editors, hands-on visual content production support, editing tools, and photo archiving software to ensure the quality, integrity, and long-term utility of members’ visual libraries. Member newsrooms can also gain access to visual storytelling, photo editing, and multimedia production workshops, customized support, and one-on-one coaching to strengthen the adoption of visual practices across their organizations.
Report for America, which has fielded more than 650 journalists in nearly 400 newsrooms throughout the country, provides ongoing training, networking, mentorship and support for corps members, and hands-on fundraising support, networking and other help for newsrooms.
Since 2019, the CatchLight Local Visual Desk has strengthened local newsrooms and supported the creation of 10 long-term visual journalism positions. The organization’s impact is reflected in the achievements of its Local Fellows, with Aryana Noroozi named a 2024 Pulitzer Center Global Health Reporting Fellow, Sree Sripathy as a finalist for the California Journalism Award, and Hiram Alejandro Durán’s project "Postcards from ‘La Pulga’" nominated for the prestigious Premio Gabo Award, sometimes referred to as the "Pulitzer of Latin America." Additionally, CatchLight’s CEO, Elodie Mailliet Storm, received the NPPA Innovation Award, highlighting the organization's leadership in advancing visual journalism. The initiative's success underscores the vital role of visual journalism in local media and the importance of sustained investment in this field.
“I’m excited to work in a newsroom that places community outreach and engagement at the center of their reporting,” said Hiram Alejandro Durán, CatchLight Local Fellow/RFA corps member at El Tímpano. “The prospect of teaming up with reporters on long-term projects, and the freedom to form visuals led by the interests of Latino and Mayan communities, makes the CatchLight and Report for America fellowship at El Tímpano stand out as one of the most inspiring opportunities in photojournalism.”
Over the last year, CatchLight has had eight Fellows working in communities throughout California, as well as North Carolina. Three newsrooms, including Wisconsin Watch, Enlace Latino NC, and The Current, joined the CatchLight Visual Desk in August, expanding the geography of newsrooms it serves to reach audiences in key states during a general election year and beyond.
The CatchLight Local Visual Desk was made possible with initial investments from Enlight Foundation, Hearst Foundations, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and The Kresge Foundation, in partnership with PhotoWings. Additional support has since come from the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Report for America, Arnold Ventures, the MacArthur Foundation and Press Forward.
The news represents a significant expansion of the CatchLight Local Visual Desk, which offers fee-based memberships for visual production, editing support, and training for its newsroom members. At a time when local newsroom photo desks have been decimated, the Visual Desk provides shared visual journalism services at a fractional cost so newsrooms can deliver information, advance representation, and engage their audiences through relevant, high-quality visual stories and content.
“It is a true privilege to build on the success of the CatchLight Local Visual Desk and our partnership with Report for America. In this era of highly visual communication, it is critical that we serve audiences where they are,” said Elodie Mailliet Storm, CEO of CatchLight. “The benefit of having a full-time photojournalism Fellow and a news team backed by the CatchLight Local Visual Desk is that our members can increase their capacities at every stage of the reporting process, from visual documentation to distribution and engagement."
CatchLight and Report for America will pay half the photojournalists’ salary the first year, 33% the second year and 20% the third year. They will recruit photojournalists, creating slates of candidates for newsrooms to further vet and select. These journalists work directly for the newsrooms, receiving professional development, mentorship, and other opportunities from Report for America. As CatchLight Local Visual Desk members, newsrooms will have access to tools, training, and editing support for their photojournalist and other newsroom staff.
“We are delighted to move into this next phase of partnership with CatchLight,” said Rob Zeaske, president and CEO of The GroundTruth Project, Report for America’s parent organization. “Report for America is focused on supporting the next generation of journalists and newsrooms and this partnership strengthens reporters, news organizations and communities with sustainable investments in new media.”
The expansion follows the organizations’ successful partnership in California, launched in 2019, with support from numerous philanthropic organizations in the journalism field.
“The partnership with CatchLight and Report for America, and having someone as talented as staff photographer Pablo Unzueta, has really helped us see how critical visuals are to serving communities, especially underrepresented communities. They literally get to see themselves reflected in the stories,” said Erika Carlos, editor in chief of El Tecolote.
Photojournalists in the cohort receive coaching and editing support to develop visually-driven stories, features, and editorial products and maximize engagement online and in their communities. Their benefits also include workshops and professional development, networking and community-building with peers and mentors, and access to additional resources through the CatchLight Impact Fund.
CatchLight’s membership offerings provide local newsrooms with shared visual support, regardless of the size and scope of their existing visual resources. CatchLight Local Visual Desk services include access to photo editors, hands-on visual content production support, editing tools, and photo archiving software to ensure the quality, integrity, and long-term utility of members’ visual libraries. Member newsrooms can also gain access to visual storytelling, photo editing, and multimedia production workshops, customized support, and one-on-one coaching to strengthen the adoption of visual practices across their organizations.
Report for America, which has fielded more than 650 journalists in nearly 400 newsrooms throughout the country, provides ongoing training, networking, mentorship and support for corps members, and hands-on fundraising support, networking and other help for newsrooms.
Since 2019, the CatchLight Local Visual Desk has strengthened local newsrooms and supported the creation of 10 long-term visual journalism positions. The organization’s impact is reflected in the achievements of its Local Fellows, with Aryana Noroozi named a 2024 Pulitzer Center Global Health Reporting Fellow, Sree Sripathy as a finalist for the California Journalism Award, and Hiram Alejandro Durán’s project "Postcards from ‘La Pulga’" nominated for the prestigious Premio Gabo Award, sometimes referred to as the "Pulitzer of Latin America." Additionally, CatchLight’s CEO, Elodie Mailliet Storm, received the NPPA Innovation Award, highlighting the organization's leadership in advancing visual journalism. The initiative's success underscores the vital role of visual journalism in local media and the importance of sustained investment in this field.
“I’m excited to work in a newsroom that places community outreach and engagement at the center of their reporting,” said Hiram Alejandro Durán, CatchLight Local Fellow/RFA corps member at El Tímpano. “The prospect of teaming up with reporters on long-term projects, and the freedom to form visuals led by the interests of Latino and Mayan communities, makes the CatchLight and Report for America fellowship at El Tímpano stand out as one of the most inspiring opportunities in photojournalism.”
Over the last year, CatchLight has had eight Fellows working in communities throughout California, as well as North Carolina. Three newsrooms, including Wisconsin Watch, Enlace Latino NC, and The Current, joined the CatchLight Visual Desk in August, expanding the geography of newsrooms it serves to reach audiences in key states during a general election year and beyond.
The CatchLight Local Visual Desk was made possible with initial investments from Enlight Foundation, Hearst Foundations, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and The Kresge Foundation, in partnership with PhotoWings. Additional support has since come from the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Report for America, Arnold Ventures, the MacArthur Foundation and Press Forward.
Featured Photo Contest
AAP Magazine #50 / SHAPES
$1,000 cash prizes | Winning image(s) published in AAP Magazine #50 | Extensive press coverage and global recognition
© Jo Fields
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 07/14/25
Production of a limited edition photobook (100–200 pages), designed by Gomma’s in-house team
ENDS 07/15/25
200 shortlisted portraits taken in the past year will be published in the dedicated Portrait of Britain book
ENDS 07/15/25
Praxis Gallery seeks the submission of photographic art that demonstrates the fundamental qualities that make motion & blur a compelling element of contemporary photography.
ENDS 07/15/25
The next edition of the Circulation(s) festival will take place from March 21 to May 17 2026 at the CENTQUATRE-PARIS.
ENDS 07/15/25
Wherever you are in the world, we invite you to send us your most beautiful Colors or Black & White street photos.
ENDS 07/22/25
Be Featured in our July 2025 Online Juried Solo Exhibition! Juror: Ann Jastrab, Executive Director, Center for Photographic Art
ENDS 07/27/25
The Head On Photo Awards 2025 winners share an incredible prize pool in excess of $75,000, including $15,000 in cash. All finalists have their work exhibited in print and online in Head On Photo Festival 2025!
ENDS 07/29/25
Our 50th printed issue of AAP Magazine will feature the best projects showcasing the theme "Shapes".
ENDS 07/31/25
If you're a passionate amateur or professional photographer, we invite you to share your photographic project with us.
ENDS 08/01/25
TIFA connects photographers from around the world with the creative community in Tokyo, Japan, providing them with an excellent platform to present their work to a new market.
ENDS 08/05/25
The 2025 Global Contest promotes climate justice. We believe climate change is a human rights issue, so we are looking for images that show people impacted by the escalating climate crisis.
ENDS 08/15/25
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 09/01/25
The Ian Parry Scholarship is divided into two categories: The Sunday Times Award for Achievement and The Canon Award for Potential.
ENDS 09/01/25
The winner receives a €25,000 cash award to develop the project within ten months
ENDS 09/05/25
The Paris Photo–Aperture Foundation PhotoBook Awards celebrate the photobook's contribution to the evolving narrative of photography
ENDS 09/15/25
We are excited to offer one (1) $20,000 grant and six (6) $5,000 grants to help bring these vital stories to life.
ENDS 10/01/25
The Center for Photographic Art (CPA) is excited to announce the 2025 International Juried Exhibition with $5,000 in awards!
ENDS 01/06/26
First place receives Sony Digital Imaging equipment and inclusion in the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition and book
ENDS 01/06/26
Dedicated to young photographers under 19 years-old - first prize is top Sony digital imaging equipment plus benefit from global exposure
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 01/13/26
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 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.