Photography Contest

URBAN 2024 Photo Awards

Deadline |

CLOSED

Theme |

Urban Life

Territory |

Worldwide

Eligibility |

Open to all

Entry Fees |

10 € (1st photo) +5 € additional

Prizes |

Cash Prize
The international photography contest URBAN Photo Awards is here: registrations will open on Monday 1st April and this 15th edition will be the largest and most important ever.

URBAN Photo Awards is the most prestigious international photography competition in Italy, dedicated to celebrating urban photography as a form of art. The contest, which welcomes world-famous photographers as judges and special guests every year, serves as a promotional stage to give visibility to talents from all over the world. URBAN Photo Awards 2024 will culminate at Trieste Photo Days, one of Europe’s most important international photography festivals, set in the vibrant coastal city of Trieste, in the heart of Europe, where cultural events and artists from across the continent converge.

This year’s jury (still being finalized) features internationally renowned Magnum photographer Harry Gruyaert as jury president, alongside industry experts such as Adam Pretty, master of photographic planning and design.

The judges will choose the winners of the various categories amongst the thousands of participants worldwide, with the Awards ceremonies taking place during Trieste Photo Days 2024, offering a prestigious platform of recognition for their work.

The contest’s overall theme is Urban Life and focuses on urban photography as a form of expression that explores the contemporary, in all its complexities and nuances. We are interested in all forms of photography set in a city context, where the city itself, the urban environment and the people who populate it are the driving forces behind the photographic narrative.

There are many prizes up for grabs not only for the winners, but also for honorable mentions, second places and remarkable rewards. Among the participants in the four categories that make up the Single Photos section, an overall winner will be selected and will be awarded with the title of Photographer of the Year 2024 and with our most prestigious awards (being defined, for reference, see awards of ‘Last year).

Like every year, in addition to the Single Pictures section, there will be several other sections in which photographers will be able to participate, depending on the style that best represents them and the nature of their project. Among these we find: Projects & Portfolios, Book & Zine Award and URBAN Photo Arena.

The “Projects & Portfolios” section is aimed at professional or amateur photographers who wish to submit a series of images on a single theme, creating a well-structured photographic project with a coherent visual narrative. Portfolios should highlight the photographer’s ability to tell a story through a sequence of images, with each adding value and importance whilst integrating seamlessly with the others.

The “Book & Zine Award” section will choose an unpublished photo book and an unpublished zine that have urban life as their main theme. The goal of this category is to enhance books and zines as mediums for photography as a storytelling tool, as they allow a broader, more comprehensive overview and understanding of a project than a single image. The winners of this category will see their projects published and presented at the 2024 Trieste Photo Days.

The URBAN Photo Arena section is a special invitation for young photographers under 35. This year, we aim to showcase the talent and creativity of young artists by offering them a dedicated platform with no participation fee. With this initiative, we want to celebrate the unique vision of young talents in the world of urban photography, providing them with the opportunity to engage with dynamic photographic challenges. Participants will have the chance to win special prizes for the most impressive works as well as fantastic opportunities for networking, making this the perfect platform to gain international exposure and visibility.

Another important prize is the URBAN Press Award, this year at its second edition, which will be awarded to a photographer chosen from the “Projects & Portfolios” section. The winner will have the opportunity to be published by the best press in the field, such as Cuartoscuro (Mexico), Il Fotografo (Italy), OPENEYE (France), BetterPhotography (India) and Tagree (Germany), thus receiving international recognition, branding opportunities and promotion.

Photographers participating in URBAN Photo Award 2024 also automatically compete for the Best Author award of the Trieste Photo Days photography festival. The prize will be awarded to photographers who have participated in both the 15th edition of the contest and in the photographic and editorial projects (most of which are free) of URBAN’s partner Exhibit Around and who have distinguished themselves for their photographic quality. More information on the TPD Best Author award on this page of the official website of Trieste Photo Days.

To stay updated on the addition of new jurors, special guests, contest updates, promotions and discounts, prizes and much more, sign up to our newsletter via the form in the footer of the site.

Featured Photo Contest

AAP Magazine #46/Women

$1,000 cash prizes | Winning image(s) published in AAP Magazine #46 | Extensive press coverage and global recognition

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 02/16/25
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 02/17/25
GRANT DETAILS: Tuition to Level 3 of The Program for Narrative and Documentary Photography in Arles, France, plus accommodation and a per diem.
ENDS 02/17/25
This year’s contest theme, "Inspire," seeks entries that provoke thought, elicit emotions, and inspire audiences to view the world from new angles.
ENDS 02/17/25
All applicant work will be considered for inclusion in international exhibitions curated throughout the year.
ENDS 02/18/25
Be Featured in our March 2025 Online Juried Solo Exhibition!
ENDS 02/19/25
Calling all photobook publishers and enthusiasts – The FORMAT Photobook Market is returning to Derby for FORMAT25.
ENDS 02/20/25
The PhMuseum Photography Grant is an annual initiative that recognises the importance of photography and visual storytelling.
ENDS 02/27/25
Our 46th printed issue of AAP Magazine will feature the best projects showcasing the theme "Women".
ENDS 02/27/25
In collaboration with the Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department (DNRD), we invite all professional and amateur photographers to put the spotlight on Hatta.
ENDS 02/28/25
Gomma invites you to take part in this new adventure. Show us the limitless nuances of our world in monochrome.
ENDS 02/28/25
The proceeds from the project will go towards the international co-financing grant “Water is Life 2024“.
ENDS 02/28/25
If you're a passionate amateur or professional photographer, we invite you to share your photographic project with us.
ENDS 03/03/25
Earth Photo 2025 invites submissions from still and moving image makers of all ages, from anywhere in the world, who have a compelling story to share about our planet.
ENDS 03/05/25
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 03/13/25
An international photography award platforming emerging and established artists in prestigious institutions worldwide.
ENDS 03/17/25
Picto Foundation is pleased to launch the 27th call for submissions for the Prix Picto de la Photographie de Mode.
ENDS 03/31/25
Beauty can be found in every facet of life. The Lucie Foundation invites you to explore the concept of beauty especially in places less obvious.
ENDS 03/31/25
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 04/08/25
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 04/13/25
The Prix Viviane Esders is awarded to a professional, independant, European photographer who is still active, and demonstrates a personal style and artistic approach.
ENDS 04/15/25
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.
ENDS 04/17/25
This new initiative is dedicated to empowering photographers globally, providing grants and resources to support the creation of compelling documentary photo essays
ENDS 04/30/25
Nikon’s Small World is regarded as the leading forum for showcasing the beauty and complexity of life as seen through the light microscope. The Photomicrography Competition is open to anyone with an interest in microscopy and photography.
ENDS 05/18/25
MonoVisions Photography Awards are an international open call for photographers using black and white medium to express their visual language.
ENDS 05/31/25
POWER will be the main theme of the season. The Grand Prize of USD $200,000 will be awarded to one winner from any category this season, not limited to the main theme.
ENDS 02/08/26
The winner will receive £15,000, the second prize is £3,000, and the third prize is £2,000.