Territory: Worldwide
Theme: Six categories, focusing on the essence of visual art
Eligibility: photographers who have been active professionals for more than three years
Entry Fees: Free
Prize: Equipment
The globally renowned professional photography competition, Hasselblad Masters, is now open for submissions.
Free to enter, the competition welcomes professional photographers to submit their most inventive and extraordinary work, captured with any camera, from now until 28 February 2026.
Established in 2001, Hasselblad Masters is one of the most prestigious photography competitions, celebrating creative excellence and bringing together professionals and emerging talents from around the world to share their work on an international stage.
The 2026 edition continues this legacy with seven categories: Landscape, Portrait, Street, Architecture, Art, Project // 21, and Wildlife.
Photographers may submit up to three images per category and enter as many categories as they wish.
Entries will be evaluated for photographic ability, creativity, composition, conceptual strength, and technical excellence.
Once the finalists are announced, public voting will open alongside the Hasselblad Grand Jury's evaluation.
Final winners will be determined by the Hasselblad Grand Jury.
Earning the coveted title of Hasselblad Master places photographers among an exclusive group recognised for their mastery of the craft.
One winner will be selected for each of the seven categories, with each receiving a Hasselblad X2D II 100C camera, two XCD lenses of their choice, and a €5,000 cash prize.
Winners will also collaborate with Hasselblad to create new work for the Hasselblad Masters Photography Book, with selected photographs showcased across Hasselblad’s global channels.
The Hasselblad Masters 2026 Grand Jury brings together imaging experts from the world’s most influential photography institutions, publications, and artistic communities.
The 2026 Hasselblad Grand Jury
Kalle Sanner (Jury Chair) – Executive Director at the Hasselblad Foundation
Alex Pollack – Director of Photography at National Geographic
Aya Musa – Senior Curator at Foam
Paul Lachenauer – Managing Photographer at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Rebecca Swift – Senior Vice President, Creative at Getty Images
Rong Rong – Co-founder and Artistic Director at The Three Shadows Photography Art Centre
Sonia Jeunet – Global Education Director at Magnum Photos
Zack Hatfield – Managing Editor at Aperture Magazine
The Hasselblad Masters 2026 competition features seven categories, focusing on the essence of visual art: exceptional image quality, authentic beauty, profound insights, fresh perspectives, and creativity.
