Photography Contest
2026 Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest
Deadline |
02/28/26Theme |
Open - Different categoriesTerritory |
WorldwideEligibility |
Young photojournalists aged between 18 and 33 years oldEntry Fees |
FREEPrizes |
Cash PrizeHost |
Stenin ContestThe Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest was established on December 22, 2014 under the patronage of the Russian Federation’s Commission for UNESCO.
The Stenin Contest is the only competition in Russia that discovers new names in international photojournalism and develops quality standards for documentary photography.
The contest aims to support young photojournalists aged 18 to 33, who can submit work to five categories. The new “Energy of Life” category is open to photographers aged 34 and over.
This year the contest celebrates its 12th anniversary.
The contest offers photojournalists an opportunity to make their concerns known. The main themes of the contest include global humanitarian challenges, national identity, social equality, and the environment.
The number of contest participants and the countries they come from has been growing every year. The contest itself is gaining popularity also thanks to the exhibitions of the winning entries, which have become an integral part of the event.
They have been held in dozens of countries, including China, South Africa, Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, Turkey, Lebanon, Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece, Hungary, and others.
The annual application period starts on stenincontest.ru | stenincontest.com on December 22, the birthday of Andrei Stenin. The entries will be accepted on the contest’s website until February 28, 2026, in Russian and English.
Categories:
Top News – one photo image / series of images
Sports – one photo image
My Planet – one photo image / series of images
Portrait. A Hero of Our Time – one photo image / series of images
Top View – one photo image
The Energy of Life – one photo image / series of images (open to photographers aged 34 and older)
Contest prizes:
– Grand Prix – RUB 700,000 (seven hundred thousand).
– First Place for one photo image / series of images in each category – RUB 125,000 (one hundred and twenty-five thousand).
– Second Place for one photo image / series of images in each category – RUB 100,000 (one hundred thousand).
– Third Place for one photo image / series of images in each category – RUB 75,000 (seventy-five thousand).
Contest Sponsors may also offer additional prizes.
The Stenin Contest is the only competition in Russia that discovers new names in international photojournalism and develops quality standards for documentary photography.
The contest aims to support young photojournalists aged 18 to 33, who can submit work to five categories. The new “Energy of Life” category is open to photographers aged 34 and over.
This year the contest celebrates its 12th anniversary.
The contest offers photojournalists an opportunity to make their concerns known. The main themes of the contest include global humanitarian challenges, national identity, social equality, and the environment.
The number of contest participants and the countries they come from has been growing every year. The contest itself is gaining popularity also thanks to the exhibitions of the winning entries, which have become an integral part of the event.
They have been held in dozens of countries, including China, South Africa, Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, Turkey, Lebanon, Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece, Hungary, and others.
The annual application period starts on stenincontest.ru | stenincontest.com on December 22, the birthday of Andrei Stenin. The entries will be accepted on the contest’s website until February 28, 2026, in Russian and English.
Categories:
Top News – one photo image / series of images
Sports – one photo image
My Planet – one photo image / series of images
Portrait. A Hero of Our Time – one photo image / series of images
Top View – one photo image
The Energy of Life – one photo image / series of images (open to photographers aged 34 and older)
Contest prizes:
– Grand Prix – RUB 700,000 (seven hundred thousand).
– First Place for one photo image / series of images in each category – RUB 125,000 (one hundred and twenty-five thousand).
– Second Place for one photo image / series of images in each category – RUB 100,000 (one hundred thousand).
– Third Place for one photo image / series of images in each category – RUB 75,000 (seventy-five thousand).
Contest Sponsors may also offer additional prizes.
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© Steve McCurry
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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!
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