Photography Contest

Unleashed: Think Beyond Themes

Unleashed: Think Beyond Themes

Deadline |

CLOSED

Theme |

Unleashed

Territory |

Worldwide

Eligibility |

Open to all

Entry Fees |

$10-$100

Prizes |

Cash Prize

Host |

National Geographic Society
UNLEASHED is a call to every photographer who doesn’t believe in being constrained by a theme. As the first photography contest of the National Photographic Society, we want every photographer to capture what their hearts desire. Submit your favorite images with no bounds or limits to themes and interpretations, and let our viewers decide the winners through a fair and equitable process. This is your chance to get under the limelight, get guaranteed cash prizes of $500 and unparalleled promotions!

The winners of this contest will be decided through popular votes. Every visitor shall get a maximum of two votes and they can allocate them to any photograph(s) of their choice. You’re welcome to solicit your friends and family members to visit the entries, vote for you, and cheer you on.
​ Please note that The National Photographic Society reserves the right to overrule the voting results if they notice any breach in voting rules.

PRIZES & AWARDS​
The winners shall be awarded guaranteed cash prizes of $500.
FIRST PRIZE - Guaranteed $200 cash, Certificate of Recognition, Social Media Promotions, Email Campaigns
RUNNER-UP PRIZE - Guaranteed $150 cash, Certificate of Recognition, Promotions on social media and email campaigns
MERIT PRIZE - Guaranteed $100 cash, Certificate of Recognition, Promotions on social media
TALENT PRIZE - Guaranteed $50 cash, Certificate of Recognition
HONORABLE MENTION AWARD - Certificate of Recognition
FINALIST AWARD - Certificate of Recognition

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All About Photo Awards 2026

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© Steve McCurry

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 01/26/26
Wherever you are in the world, we invite you to send us your most beautiful Colors or Black & White street photos.
ENDS 01/27/26
Our 11th edition of the All About Photo Awards invites photographers from around the world to submit their best work for consideration. Winners will receive $5,000 in cash awards, extensive press coverage and global recognition.
ENDS 01/29/26
The PhMuseum Photography Grant is an annual initiative that recognises the importance of photography and visual storytelling.
ENDS 01/31/26
If you're a passionate amateur or professional photographer, we invite you to share your photographic project with us.
ENDS 02/09/26
The Center for Photographic Art (CPA) is excited to announce the 2026 Members’ Juried Exhibition! This year, we are offering $2,400 in awards and prizes.
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 02/17/26
Be Featured in our January 2026 Online Juried Solo Exhibition!
ENDS 02/28/26
Guest Room aims to spark collaboration.
ENDS 02/28/26
Win a Hasselblad X2D II 100C, two XCD lenses of choice, €5,000 and the coveted Hasselblad Masters title.
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 03/01/26
The prize fund totals more than €5,000, of which €1,500 are reserved for the Main category first place winner.
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 03/15/26
‘On the Block’ celebrates the unposed, unfiltered, and fleeting moments that define the art of documenting everyday life, whether in dense urban streets or sleepy rural towns.
ENDS 03/21/26
The FORMAT Portfolio Review is returning in 2026. It will take place online on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 March.
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 03/31/26
Selected photobooks will be featured in Der Greif’s Articles section, including a dedicated editorial feature highlighting the project, its context, and the maker(s).
ENDS 04/16/26
The main grant is open to professional photographers worldwide, one $30,000. grant
ENDS 04/16/26
Emerging Photographers (under 30 year old ) 2 X $ 5000 grants.
ENDS 05/07/26
The 2026 Virginia Prize, worth €10,000, will be awarded to its winner in November 2026.
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 05/31/26
This season will feature five main categories, with ‘Family’ serving as the primary theme.
ENDS 06/30/26
The IPA recognizes photography’s leading talents who are creating, shaping and defining the world of photography today.
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.