Territory: Worldwide
Theme: Several Categories
Eligibility: Open to all
Entry Fees: Single: $40 Series: $65 (up to 3 images)
The Applied Arts 2026 Photography Awards are an internationally recognized photography competition celebrating excellence, creativity, and innovation in contemporary visual storytelling
Organized by Applied Arts Magazine, one of Canada’s leading art and design publications, the awards honor outstanding photography and motion imagery created for advertising, editorial, design, self-promotion, and personal projects
The competition provides a respected platform for photographers, directors, studios, agencies, and creatives to gain professional recognition within the global visual arts and creative industries
Open to submissions from Canada, the United States, and internationally, the awards encompass more than 75 categories covering commercial, editorial, conceptual, fine art, documentary, and experimental photography, as well as motion and moving-image work
Both published and unpublished projects are eligible, allowing entrants to showcase commissioned assignments alongside independent and personal work
Submissions are evaluated by an international jury composed of leading creative directors, photographers, designers, and visual arts professionals, ensuring a rigorous and industry-relevant judging process
Winning or being shortlisted in the Applied Arts Photography Awards offers substantial visibility and long-term professional value
Selected works are featured in the annual Photography, Illustration & Design Awards Annual, distributed to top creative agencies, studios, and decision-makers, and permanently archived in the online Winners Gallery and Awards Archive
This exposure positions the awards as a valuable career-building opportunity for photographers seeking recognition, credibility, and increased discoverability in competitive global markets
