Photography Contest

URBAN 2025 Photo Awards

URBAN 2025 Photo Awards

Deadline |

CLOSED

Theme |

7 Categories

Territory |

Worldwide

Eligibility |

Open to all

Entry Fees |

Between 20 € and 50 €

Prizes |

Exhibition

Host |

Urban Photo Awards
The URBAN Photo Awards is an international photography competition celebrating its 16th edition in 2025. The contest features seven photographic categories, offering participants multiple opportunities to showcase their work and compete for the prestigious title of Photographer of the Year 2025.​

Competition Timeline:

April 1 – May 31, 2025: Submissions open for Single Photos, Projects & Portfolios, Books, Zines, and the Young section.​

By the end of June 2025: Selected Photographers will be published on the website in alphabetical order. Approximately 20% of these photographers will have the opportunity to participate in summer exhibitions and previews.​

By mid-July 2025: Semifinalists will be announced, including about 800 single photos, 100 projects & portfolios, and 20 books.​

By the end of July 2025: Finalists will be revealed, featuring about 200 single photos, 30 projects & portfolios, and 5 books.​

Mid-September 2025: A shortlist will be published, highlighting about 40 single photos, 5 projects & portfolios, and 3 books.​

Saturday, October 26, 2025: Winners will be announced, and the award ceremony will take place live at the Trieste Photo Days festival.​

Prizes:

Winners will receive trophies and medals crafted by renowned Italian artist Giorgio Celiberti. Additional prizes include over €10,000 in Amazon Gift Cards and complimentary two-night stays for two at the Trieste Photo Days festival. These awards aim to recognize and support outstanding talent in urban photography. ​

The URBAN Photo Awards culminate in the Trieste Photo Days festival, hosting the awards ceremony and exhibitions of the winning and finalist works.

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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 01/20/26
Be Featured in our January 2026 Online Juried Solo Exhibition! Juror: Harvey Stein
ENDS 01/25/26
Guest Room aims to spark collaboration.
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 02/28/26
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 03/02/26
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 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.