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The Best Photography Contests Open this April

Posted on April 02, 2021 - By Sandrine Hermand-Grisel
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Photography contests can give professional and amateurs photographers alike unique opportunities to get exposure, sell their work or earn cash prizes.

They are often an excellent way to share your project with a wider audience, reach curators, collectors, and photography lovers alike but also the members of the jury who can, if interested, propel your career to the next level.

Websites and social media profiles are usually not enough to stand out from the crowd. But which photo competition is right for you? It is sometimes hard for photographers to choose between photo contests. So which ones are interesting and can give you the the special boost you are looking?

All About Photo has selected the best photo contests, photography competitions and call for entries. This list of international photo competitions and photo contests is thoroughly curated to help photographers find their next creative breakthrough and keep up with all the current opportunities to gain exposure. Exhibition, cash prize, publication... find the photo contest that is right for you. So what are the best photo contests worth entering this month of March 2021? Check out our top 10!
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Yannis Behrakis International Photojournalism Award
Yannis Behrakis International Photojournalism Award
Yannis Behrakis International Photojournalism Award
Yannis Behrakis International Photojournalism Award
Deadline: April 18, 2021
Host: Athens Photo World
Territory: Worldwide
Theme: Photojournalism
Eligibility: Professional photographer, photojournalist, regardless of nationality and place of residence and work.
Entry Fees: Free
Prize: Cash Prize

Athens Photo World (APW), upon the expressed wish of Yannis Behrakis and with the lead support of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), aims at supporting and highlighting the work and vision of Greek and international photojournalists.

For the second consecutive year, the 15,000€ "Yannis Behrakis" International Photojournalism Award will be awarded to a full-length photojournalism or documentary work.

The winning project will be presented at next year's APW festival with an individual exhibition of the photographer.

A new selection committee is appointed every year, under the permanent chairmanship of Elisavet Saridou Behrakis. For 2020, the members of the committee are Alice Gabriner, Ahmad Masood (Reuters) and Enric Marti (AP).

Interested parties are requested to submit a portfolio of twenty four (24) photographs, along with an explanatory text and a brief resume.

Photo: Claudio Travelli (60) was examined by red Cross volunteers. He chose to remain at home, but the next day his condition worsened and the red Cross team returned to take him to hospital. Cenate Sotto, Italy, March 15, 2020. © Fabio Bucciarelli for the New York Times
Prix HCB 2021
Prix HCB 2021
Prix HCB 2021
Prix HCB 2021
Deadline: April 30, 2021
Host: Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson
Territory: Worldwide
Theme: Open
Eligibility: The candidate must be supported by an institution - museum, gallery, independent curator, publisher, etc.
Entry Fees: Free
Prize: Cash Prize


Presented by the Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson, the HCB Award supports the creation of a photography project which could not be achieved without this help. It is intended for a photographer who has already completed a significant body of work, close to the documentary approach. The candidate must be supported by an institution - museum, gallery, independent curator, publisher, etc.

The HCB Award is presented once every two years and grants the indivisible amount of 35 000 euros. The winner's artwork project will be exhibited at the Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson and published as a book, in the spring 2023.

Lonchamp, Paris, 1969 © Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson / Magnum Photos
Project Development Grant
Project Development Grant
Project Development Grant
Project Development Grant
Deadline: April 20, 2021
Host: CENTER
Territory: Worldwide
Theme: Open
Eligibility: The Project Development Grant offers financial support to fine art, documentary, or photojournalist WORKS-IN-PROGRESS.
Entry Fees: $25 Members; $35 Non-Members until March 20
Prize: Cash Prize

The Project Development Grant offers financial support to fine art, documentary, or photojournalist WORKS-IN-PROGRESS. The grant includes a cash award to help complete a project as well as platforms for feedback and professional development opportunities for the work's final stages. This grant is awarded to projects that are still in progress and have not been exhibited or published.v
Career Advancement Package
$5,000 Grant
Professional Development Workshop Admission
Review Santa Fe: Tuition & Presentation
Lenscratch publication
Online Exhibition at visitcenter.org

Juror: Arpad Kovacs – Assistant Curator, Department of Photographs, J. Paul Getty Museum
BarTur Photo Award 2021
BarTur Photo Award 2021
BarTur Photo Award 2021
BarTur Photo Award 2021
Deadline: April 22, 2021
Host: BarTur Photo Award
Territory: Worldwide
Theme: Climate Change, Unity and Diversity, Human Love
Eligibility: Open to all, Specific prize for students
Entry Fees: Various
Prize: Exhibition

The BarTur Photo Award was established in 2011, with the generous support of the BarTur family, in memory of late wife and mother, British artist Ann Lesley BarTur (1947-1984).

The 2019 BarTur Photo Award is eager to introduce its two themes: Unity in Diversity and Climate Change. Submit your photos inspired by these themes as a Professional ($20 fee per entry) or Student (free entry). There are 18 total prizes available:

One Professional Winner: $10,000, winning photo(s) featured in four exhibitions, and BarTur Photo Award online gallery One Student Winner: $3,000, winning photo(s) featured in four exhibitions, and BarTur Photo Award online gallery Four Judge's Choice Winners (two per category): winning photo(s) featured in four exhibitions and BarTur Photo Award online gallery Twelve Highly Commended Winners (two per category): winning photo(s) featured in four exhibitions and BarTur Photo Award online gallery

The four exhibitions will be held in Copenhagen, Paris, Berlin, and New York throughout 2020.

Submissions will be evaluated by a world-leading panel of judges drawn from all areas of the professional photography industry. In addition to prizing, Winners, Judges' Choice and Highly Commended applicants will receive feedback from the judging panel.

The BarTur Photo Award is a non-profit organization. All funds received go towards the production and promotion of the Award as well as the promotion of the winning artists and their works.
AAP Magazine #17: Portrait
AAP Magazine #17: Portrait
AAP Magazine #17: Portrait
AAP Magazine #17: Portrait
Deadline: April 27, 2021
Host: All About Photo
Territory: Worldwide
Theme: Portrait
Eligibility: Open to all
Entry Fees: $30 for 3 images
Prize: Cash Prize + Publication

AAP Magazine #17 "Portrait" invites photographers to explore humanity in each of us. From the classic studio portraits to the rise of the selfie, the best portraits give a glimpse into somebody's soul, a connection formed across countries, cultures and ages.

We seek the submission of photographs that celebrate the aesthetic and conceptual considerations involved in the creation of the portrait: celebrate diversity, creativity, honesty, and self-expression. Studio portraits, candid street shots, self-portraits, conceptual and fine art all welcome. With 7.57 billion people to choose from around the world, show us the ones that matter to you.

All genres, capture types, color and B&W, traditional and non-traditional photographic and digital post-production processes are welcome for submission.

Applications will be assessed on three criteria: creativity, originality, and the visual/emotional impact of the image. The winners will be announced on All About Photo and social media.

Please send us a cohesive body of work or portfolio. Only a unified group of photos will be published in AAP Magazine.

Winners will receive $1,000 in cash awards, their winning image(s) or full portfolio published in AAP Magazine, extensive press coverage, and global recognition.

All winners will have their work published in the 17th printed issue of AAP Magazine, a free copy of the magazine, and their portfolio showcased in the Winners Gallery of www.all-about-photo.com.

Why enter All About Photo Competitions?

Elevate your career!
All it takes is one industry insider to change the course of your career. Share your work with our audience of editors, book publishers, gallery owners, festival directors, creative directors, curators, and online media publishers!

Permanent Exhibition on All About Photo online gallery
All About Photo is a leading platform in the photography industry showcasing the work of famous photographers as well as new talents. Don't miss the opportunity to be featured in our online gallery

International Press Exposure
Share your work with the world and catch the attention of diverse media outlets. We will promote each selected photographer on our website and on our social profiles.

Applications will be assessed on three criteria: creativity, originality, and the visual/emotional impact of the image.
The winners will be announced on All About Photo and social media.
Images that were previously published in AAP Magazine cannot be submitted again
Applications will be assessed on three criteria: creativity, originality, and the visual/emotional impact of the image.
The winners will be announced on All About Photo and social media.
Images that were previously published in AAP Magazine cannot be submitted again

1st Place winner
Cash Prize: $500 (US Dollars).
Exclusive interview and winning image(s) or portfolio published in AAP Magazine, Volume 17: Portrait
One free copy of AAP Magazine that will be for sale and distributed on Blurb.com
Winning work showcased on the online Winners Gallery of All About Photo

2nd Place Winner
Cash Prize: $300 (US Dollars).
Winning image(s) or portfolio in AAP Magazine, Volume 17: Portrait
One free copy of AAP Magazine that will be for sale and distributed on Blurb.com
Winning work showcased on the online Winners Gallery of All About Photo

3rd Place Winner
Cash Prize: $200 (US Dollars).
Winning image(s) or portfolio published in AAP Magazine, Volume 17: Portrait
One free copy of AAP Magazine that will be for sale and distributed on Blurb.com
Winning work showcased on the online Winners Gallery of All About Photo

Particular Merit Mention
The next 17th winners (ranked from 4 to 20) will have their best image(s) or portfolio published in AAP Magazine Vol.17.
MONO - KROMATIK
MONO - KROMATIK
MONO - KROMATIK
MONO - KROMATIK
Deadline: April 30, 2021
Host: Praxis Photo Arts Center
Territory: Worldwide
Theme: Monochromatic photography
Eligibility: All entrants must be 18 years of age or older
Entry Fees: $35/5 images
Prize: Exhibition
Exhibition Dates: June 19th -July 3rd, 2021
Juror: Sandrine Hermand-Grisel

Half a century after the advent of color film, black and white & monochromatic photography continues to capture our collective imagination. Utilizing tone, contrast, texture and shape, monochromatic photography strips its subject to only the most essential visual elements; revealing a sense of soul, substance and meaning - separate from the shifting sentiments, symbolism and cultural associations of color imagery.

Praxis Gallery seeks the submission of photographic works that demonstrate the fundamental qualities that make black and white & monochromatic photography an enduring, contemporary art form.

All subjects, genres, capture types, black & white and monochromatic, traditional and non-traditional photographic and digital post-production processes are welcome for submission.

Photo © Lionel Briot
Nikon Small World Competition
Nikon Small World Competition
Nikon Small World Competition
Nikon Small World Competition
Deadline: April 30, 2021
Host: Nikon
Territory: Worldwide
Theme: Photomicrography
Eligibility: Anyone over the age of 18 interested in digital or film photography through the microscope.
Entry Fees: Free
Prize: Cash Prize

Celebrating over 45 years of images captured by the light microscope, Nikon invites entries for 2021 in its Small World competitions. 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. The video competition, entitled Small World In Motion encompasses any movie or digital time-lapse photography taken through the microscope. Winners will receive one of 20 prizes, sorted according to rank in the competition. The first three prize are $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000 (US) respectively.

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. The video competition, entitled Small World In Motion encompasses any movie or digital time-lapse photography taken through the microscope.

Top 20 prize winners are selected and ranked by Small World Judges.
1st Prize - $3,000
2nd Prize - $2,000
3rd Prize - $1,000
4th Prize - $800
5th Prize - $600
6th Prize - $400
7th-10th Prizes - $300 each
11th-20th Prizes - $200 each
Honorable Mentions - $100 each
Images of Distinction - Nikon Backpack (or equivalent)

Photo: Boletus from the series 'Little Forest ' © ALeona Bažant Telínová
Kuala Lumpur International Photo Awards 2021
Kuala Lumpur International Photo Awards 2021
Kuala Lumpur International Photo Awards 2021
Kuala Lumpur International Photo Awards 2021
Deadline: April 30, 2021
Host: Kuala Lumpur International Photography Awards
Territory: Worldwide
Theme: Portraits of the Self
Eligibility: Open to all
Entry Fees: $15/image
Prize: Exhibition

Now in its 13th year, the Kuala Lumpur International Photo Awards continues to engage the global photographic community with the 2021 Call for Entries. As in previous years, it seeks fresh and innovative photography from new, emerging and established photographers from around the world.

This year the competition has three categories:
- Single Image (theme: Sense of Self)
- Single Image (no specific theme)
- Project Grant

Portraits may be interpreted in its widest sense, in relation to photography concerned with portraying people with an emphasis on their identity as individuals in relation to their surroundings, status and humanity.

All photographs must have been taken between 2020 and 2021 or part of an on-going project. Basic darkroom techniques are permitted. Photographs can be Black and White or Colour, in any format.

Prize
In the two Single Image categories, the 1st prize winner will receive 2,000 USD. For the Project Grant category, three photographers will be awarded 1,000 USD each in June 2021 to allow them to continue and complete their work-in-progress projects. Projects must be ready to be exhibited in September.
LensCulture HOME '21
LensCulture HOME
LensCulture HOME
LensCulture HOME
Deadline: April 21, 2021
Host: LensCulture
Territory: Worldwide
Theme: Home
Eligibility: Open to all
Entry Fees: Free single, $35/5 images
Prize: Book

After extended time at home for all of us lately, we wanted to develop a themed award that offers a specific opportunity for photographers to share work that creatively expresses and explores their experience and interpretation of home. There are no limits in terms of genre, method, subject matter — our international jury is looking to showcase 37 talented photographers who are responding to the idea of 'home', however it relates to you.

Awards include being published in a dedicated photobook featuring all winners and finalists, an online solo exhibition, cash grants, and international media coverage. This prize is open to photographers of all levels of experience and the work you submit can be created at any time, not just in the past year.
Black & White Spider Awards
Black & White Spider Awards
Black & White Spider Awards
Black & White Spider Awards
Deadline: April 23, 2021
Host: Black & White Spider Awards
Territory: Worldwide
Theme: Black and White
Eligibility: Open to professional and amateur photographers from any country worldwide shooting in all forms of black and white photography, using traditional or digital methods.
Entry Fees: Professionnal $35 Amateur $30 for a single entry

Black and White Spider Awards is open to professional and amateur photographers shooting in all forms of black and white photography, using traditional or digital methods. We encourage classic styles, new creative ideas and photographers who are driven by their artistic eye and a desire to excel in this classic art form.

Get exposure and put your work in front of the world's leading galleries, art directors, curators, editors and publishers and be recognized by the industry at the premier international awards show for black and white photography. Enter your best B&W today and take advantage of the early bird specials.

Photo © Scott Barrow
Stay up-to-date  with call for entries, deadlines and other news about exhibitions, galleries, publications, & special events.
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