Photography Contest
Prix Virginia 2026
Deadline |
CLOSEDTheme |
OpenTerritory |
WorldwideEligibility |
Open to professional women photographers, regardless of their age and nationality.Entry Fees |
FREEPrizes |
Cash PrizeThe Virginia Prize, an international award given to a female photographer, has been presented every two years since 2012 to a professional photographer of any age or nationality for a photographic work, excluding press and advertising commissions, that is original and has not been published in France.
The 2026 Virginia Prize, worth €10,000, will be awarded to its winner in November 2026.
Recognizing, supporting, and mentoring women photographers
Born into a family of female artists—painters, sculptors, and musicians—photographer and visual artist Sylvia Schildge wanted to pay tribute to them by creating, in 2012, one of the first photography prizes reserved exclusively for women.
By naming it after her pianist grandmother, Virginia, Sylvia Schildge conveys her family values through a professional award and thus contributes to the recognition and promotion of a different perspective.
A jury of professionals, renewed for each edition
Committed to ensuring the Virginia Prize maintains unquestionable quality and professionalism, Sylvia Schildge, together with Lucy Conticello, director of photography for M, Le Magazine du Monde, assembles a jury of eight prominent figures from the world of photography and visual arts for each new edition.
Participants since 2012 include:
• Jacques Audiard, film director
• Adelaide Delgado, founder and director of Women Photographers International Archives (WOPHA)
• Marta Gili, former director of the National School of Photography in Arles
• François Hebel, director of the Henri Cartier-Bresson Foundation and former director of the Rencontres d’Arles photography festival
• Marin Karmitz, president of the Institute for Photography, founder of mk2, and film director
• Laurent Le Bon, former president of the Picasso Museum in Paris and current director of the Centre Pompidou
• Lekgetho Makola, director of the Market Photo Workshops in Johannesburg
• Azu Nwagbogu, founder and director of the African Artists’ Foundation (AAF) and the Lagos Photo Festival
• Anna Planas, artistic director of Paris Photo
• Hripsimé Visser, curator of photography at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam
Image: Jennifer Sakai, winner 2024
The 2026 Virginia Prize, worth €10,000, will be awarded to its winner in November 2026.
Recognizing, supporting, and mentoring women photographers
Born into a family of female artists—painters, sculptors, and musicians—photographer and visual artist Sylvia Schildge wanted to pay tribute to them by creating, in 2012, one of the first photography prizes reserved exclusively for women.
By naming it after her pianist grandmother, Virginia, Sylvia Schildge conveys her family values through a professional award and thus contributes to the recognition and promotion of a different perspective.
A jury of professionals, renewed for each edition
Committed to ensuring the Virginia Prize maintains unquestionable quality and professionalism, Sylvia Schildge, together with Lucy Conticello, director of photography for M, Le Magazine du Monde, assembles a jury of eight prominent figures from the world of photography and visual arts for each new edition.
Participants since 2012 include:
• Jacques Audiard, film director
• Adelaide Delgado, founder and director of Women Photographers International Archives (WOPHA)
• Marta Gili, former director of the National School of Photography in Arles
• François Hebel, director of the Henri Cartier-Bresson Foundation and former director of the Rencontres d’Arles photography festival
• Marin Karmitz, president of the Institute for Photography, founder of mk2, and film director
• Laurent Le Bon, former president of the Picasso Museum in Paris and current director of the Centre Pompidou
• Lekgetho Makola, director of the Market Photo Workshops in Johannesburg
• Azu Nwagbogu, founder and director of the African Artists’ Foundation (AAF) and the Lagos Photo Festival
• Anna Planas, artistic director of Paris Photo
• Hripsimé Visser, curator of photography at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam
Image: Jennifer Sakai, winner 2024
Featured Photo Contest
AAP Magazine #59 / SHAPES
$1,000 cash prizes | Winning image(s) published in AAP Magazine #59 | Extensive press coverage and global recognition
© Stephen Rauch
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 06/28/26
The international photography contest URBAN Photo Awards is here: registrations will open on March 28th and this 16th edition will be the largest and most important ever.
ENDS 06/30/26
If you're a passionate amateur or professional photographer, we invite you to share your photographic project with us.
ENDS 06/30/26
The IPA recognizes photography’s leading talents who are creating, shaping and defining the world of photography today.
ENDS 06/30/26
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 07/01/26
Critical Mass sparks career-changing opportunities. Ready to get your work noticed? This is the place to do it.
ENDS 07/02/26
The Emerging Photographer Grant aims to provide a $10,000 grant to visual storytellers at the beginning of their careers in order to develop impactful visual narratives.
ENDS 07/07/26
Our 59th printed issue of AAP Magazine will feature the best projects showcasing the theme "Shapes".
ENDS 07/08/26
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 07/15/26
Wherever you are in the world, we invite you to send us your most beautiful Colors or Black & White street photos.
ENDS 07/19/26
Praxis Gallery seeks the submission of photographic art that demonstrates the fundamental qualities that make motion & blur a compelling element of contemporary photography.
ENDS 07/22/26
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.
ENDS 07/31/26
A competition for world class commercial photographers, judged by a prestigious panel of experts from renowned advertising agencies, magazines & brands.
ENDS 08/31/26
To help photographers improve their chances, we have launched a portfolio and contest submission review service.
ENDS 09/01/26
Financial support, publication in The Guardian, loan of Canon camera equipment, a year-long mentorship, an assignment, potential conflict training, work seen by a panel of industry experts
ENDS 09/05/26
The Paris Photo–Aperture Foundation PhotoBook Awards celebrate the photobook's contribution to the evolving narrative of photography
ENDS 09/11/26
$12,000 in total grants awarded to three artists
ENDS 09/13/26
Eurazeo is launching the Eurazeo Photo Prize grant, with funding of €20,000
ENDS 09/24/26
A total of $8,000 in grants will be awarded to three outstanding artists
ENDS 10/11/26
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 11/26/26
Provides a platform for photography students worldwide - first prize is top Sony digital imaging equipment plus benefit from global exposure
ENDS 01/05/27
Rewarding the best single images! Enter for free and you could win $5,000, top Sony digital imaging equipment plus more!
ENDS 01/05/27
Dedicated to young photographers under 19 years-old - first prize is top Sony digital imaging equipment plus benefit from global exposure
ENDS 01/12/27
Rewarding the best photo series worldwide! Enter for free and you could win $25,000, a range of Sony digital imaging equipment plus more!