Photography Contest
Earth Photo 2026
Deadline |
CLOSEDTheme |
Life on our planet, forests, cities, deserts, rainforests, urban and managed lands, biodiversity...Territory |
WorldwideEligibility |
Open to allEntry Fees |
15 GBP/10 imagesPrizes |
ExhibitionHost |
Earth PhotoEarth Photo 2026 is now open for entries, inviting photographers and filmmakers of all ages, working anywhere in the world, to submit compelling visual stories about our planet.
Originally established in 2018, by Forestry England, Parker Harris and RGS, Earth Photo is a leading international platform for image-makers who explore the natural world, its peoples and environments, and the urgent issues shaping our time. Earth Photo is a partnership between the Royal Geographical Society, Parker Harris and Photoworks.
Photography and film have never been more powerful in helping us understand the challenges our planet faces, and the acts of resilience, restoration and hope taking place every day.
Whether your work explores the ways people connect with nature, or the impacts of climate change on communities and ecosystems, Earth Photo wants to highlight the stories that show life on a changing planet.
We welcome work that celebrates biodiversity and conservation, or the knowledge, resilience and adaptation of Indigenous communities, and encourage all perspectives and creative approaches that spark reflection and conversation.
The Earth Photo shortlist will be selected by a selection panel from across the world of photography:
Peggy Sue Amison; artistic director and curator, of East Wing gallery in Qatar/UAE and Berlin. She has served as a nominator and juror for numerous photography awards.
Emma Bowkett; Director of Photography for the FT Weekend Magazine (Financial Times), based in London. She is also known for her work as a curator and is a visual art advisor for the HOUSE festival.
Shahidul Alam; renowned Bangladeshi photographer, curator, and activist. He is the director of the Chobi Mela Festival of Photography and the managing director of the Drik India Media Agency.
Serubiri Moses; Ugandan curator, writer, and educator based in New York. He teaches Art History at Hunter College, and is Visiting Faculty at the Center for Curatorial Studies, Bard College. He has curated international exhibitions, and was part of the curatorial team for the 10th Berlin Biennale.
Yining He; researcher and curator of visual arts based in China with over 50 curated group exhibitions across China and Europe. She served as co-curator for the 8th Singapore International Photography Festival, the 3rd Beijing International Photography Biennial, and the Guangzhou Image Triennial 2025. Her scholarly contributions have been published widely in both Chinese and English, and she has founded two photography journals.
Louise Fetodov-Clements; As Director of Photoworks Louise leads the strategic vision and artistic direction of the organisation including exhibitions, biennial festival, commissions, learning and engagement, publishing and digital content.
The Earth Photo 2026 judging panel. Left to right: Louise Fetodov-Clements, Shahidul Alam, Emma Bowkett, Serubiri Moses, Peggy Sue Amison & Yining He
Shortlisted artists will be considered for exhibition opportunities and for all Earth Photo awards. They will also:
Feature in the Earth Photo 2026 online gallery at www.earthphoto.world
Be promoted across Earth Photo partners’ social media channels
Be considered for New Scientist’s Aperture photo feature
Have the opportunity for their work to be shown in the Earth Photo exhibitions across the UK
Exhibitions
Selected works will be exhibited at the Royal Geographical Society, London, from 26 June to 22 July 2026, followed by a UK tour to partner venues including historic properties, cultural organisations, and landmark gardens.
Details of all participating artists, venues and dates will be published at www.earthphoto.world .
Awards
Earth Photo 2026 offers a range of awards recognising outstanding photography and moving image work:
Earth Photo Award – £1,000 for an outstanding project telling a powerful story about life on Earth
Climate of Change Award (Royal Geographical Society) – £500 for work exploring the impacts of climate change or showing resilience and innovative adaptation
Moving Image Award – £500 for an outstanding short film
Sidney Nolan Trust Residency Prize – A two-week UK residency at The Rodd, with access to Nolan’s photographic archive
David Wolf Kaye Future Potential Awards – Two £250 prizes for practitioners aged 25 or under (one stills, one moving image), each with mentoring
New Scientist Editors Award – Mentoring and the potential for a feature in Aperture or an online video article
Photoworks Digital Residency – A digital presentation of the artist’s work, plus £400
Originally established in 2018, by Forestry England, Parker Harris and RGS, Earth Photo is a leading international platform for image-makers who explore the natural world, its peoples and environments, and the urgent issues shaping our time. Earth Photo is a partnership between the Royal Geographical Society, Parker Harris and Photoworks.
Photography and film have never been more powerful in helping us understand the challenges our planet faces, and the acts of resilience, restoration and hope taking place every day.
Whether your work explores the ways people connect with nature, or the impacts of climate change on communities and ecosystems, Earth Photo wants to highlight the stories that show life on a changing planet.
We welcome work that celebrates biodiversity and conservation, or the knowledge, resilience and adaptation of Indigenous communities, and encourage all perspectives and creative approaches that spark reflection and conversation.
The Earth Photo shortlist will be selected by a selection panel from across the world of photography:
Peggy Sue Amison; artistic director and curator, of East Wing gallery in Qatar/UAE and Berlin. She has served as a nominator and juror for numerous photography awards.
Emma Bowkett; Director of Photography for the FT Weekend Magazine (Financial Times), based in London. She is also known for her work as a curator and is a visual art advisor for the HOUSE festival.
Shahidul Alam; renowned Bangladeshi photographer, curator, and activist. He is the director of the Chobi Mela Festival of Photography and the managing director of the Drik India Media Agency.
Serubiri Moses; Ugandan curator, writer, and educator based in New York. He teaches Art History at Hunter College, and is Visiting Faculty at the Center for Curatorial Studies, Bard College. He has curated international exhibitions, and was part of the curatorial team for the 10th Berlin Biennale.
Yining He; researcher and curator of visual arts based in China with over 50 curated group exhibitions across China and Europe. She served as co-curator for the 8th Singapore International Photography Festival, the 3rd Beijing International Photography Biennial, and the Guangzhou Image Triennial 2025. Her scholarly contributions have been published widely in both Chinese and English, and she has founded two photography journals.
Louise Fetodov-Clements; As Director of Photoworks Louise leads the strategic vision and artistic direction of the organisation including exhibitions, biennial festival, commissions, learning and engagement, publishing and digital content.
The Earth Photo 2026 judging panel. Left to right: Louise Fetodov-Clements, Shahidul Alam, Emma Bowkett, Serubiri Moses, Peggy Sue Amison & Yining He
Shortlisted artists will be considered for exhibition opportunities and for all Earth Photo awards. They will also:
Feature in the Earth Photo 2026 online gallery at www.earthphoto.world
Be promoted across Earth Photo partners’ social media channels
Be considered for New Scientist’s Aperture photo feature
Have the opportunity for their work to be shown in the Earth Photo exhibitions across the UK
Exhibitions
Selected works will be exhibited at the Royal Geographical Society, London, from 26 June to 22 July 2026, followed by a UK tour to partner venues including historic properties, cultural organisations, and landmark gardens.
Details of all participating artists, venues and dates will be published at www.earthphoto.world .
Awards
Earth Photo 2026 offers a range of awards recognising outstanding photography and moving image work:
Earth Photo Award – £1,000 for an outstanding project telling a powerful story about life on Earth
Climate of Change Award (Royal Geographical Society) – £500 for work exploring the impacts of climate change or showing resilience and innovative adaptation
Moving Image Award – £500 for an outstanding short film
Sidney Nolan Trust Residency Prize – A two-week UK residency at The Rodd, with access to Nolan’s photographic archive
David Wolf Kaye Future Potential Awards – Two £250 prizes for practitioners aged 25 or under (one stills, one moving image), each with mentoring
New Scientist Editors Award – Mentoring and the potential for a feature in Aperture or an online video article
Photoworks Digital Residency – A digital presentation of the artist’s work, plus £400
Featured Photo Contest
AAP Magazine #56 / SHADOWS
$1,000 cash prizes | Winning image(s) published in AAP Magazine #56 | Website feature and International Press
© Francesco Pace Rizzi
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 03/13/26
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 03/13/26
The 28th edition of the PICTO Fashion Photography Award holds a special significance for the PICTO Foundation.
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 03/16/26
The prize is endowed with €5,000 to use as the winner sees fit.
ENDS 03/17/26
Be Featured in our April 2026 Online Juried Solo Exhibition!
ENDS 03/19/26
Our 56th printed issue of AAP Magazine will feature the best projects showcasing the theme "Shadows".
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 03/29/26
Be seen, be supported, and be part of Head On Photo Festival 2026.
ENDS 03/31/26
If you're a passionate amateur or professional photographer, we invite you to share your photographic project with us.
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 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 04/02/26
$10,000 project development grant for up to eight participants. Funds may be used in whatever way fellows see fit in order to expand and complete projects
ENDS 04/12/26
The winner will receive a grant of $14,000 for a solo exhibition
ENDS 04/16/26
Emerging Photographers (under 30 year old ) 2 X $ 5000 grants.
ENDS 04/16/26
The main grant is open to professional photographers worldwide, one $30,000. grant
ENDS 05/07/26
The 2026 Virginia Prize, worth €10,000, will be awarded to its winner in November 2026.
ENDS 05/13/26
This prize, with a production budget of €25,000, is open to any new photographer or artist using photography, submitting a previously unpublished dummy book.
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 06/03/26
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 06/15/26
Submit your best photographs now and get your chance to be one of the winners awarded in Siena!
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.