Territory: Worldwide
Theme: Open
Eligibility: Ope to all
Entry Fees: £17
Prize: Cash Prize
Open Doors Gallery is delighted to invite submissions for the sixth edition of the OD Photo Prize, an annual open call dedicated to emerging artists working within the first ten years of their practice.
For more than a decade, Open Doors Gallery has championed early-career photographers across the full spectrum of contemporary photography. Through exhibitions, pop-ups, and international art fairs, the gallery has helped launch and support artists such as Kensuke Koike, Marisol Mendez, Wysocka / Pogo, and Sander Coers, gaining valuable insight into what it takes to build a sustainable career in the photography industry.
The OD Photo Prize extends this mission by seeking exceptional photographic talent from around the world. Open-themed by design, the prize welcomes all approaches to photography and celebrates the diversity of the medium. Last year alone, the competition attracted more than 1,200 projects from over 70 countries.
Open Doors Gallery is continuously searching for new artists to join its roster, and the OD Photo Prize has become one of its most important discovery platforms. Several former entrants, including Sander Coers, Wysocka / Pogo, Kristoffer Axén, Justus de Rode, and Luca Ortis, have gone on to secure gallery representation.
The prize is open to photographic artists working across a broad range of practices. Documentary photographers, street photographers, conceptual artists, collage makers, and mixed-media practitioners are all encouraged to apply. Above all, the jury seeks a distinctive artistic voice and a thoughtfully developed body of work.
This year’s shortlisted artists will be invited to participate in a group exhibition hosted by Open Doors Gallery in London, where the overall winner will be announced. Selected works will be exhibited and offered for sale both online and at the exhibition, with artists retaining full copyright of their work at all times.
Additional awards include the Judges' Picks, the InCadaqués Award, which grants one artist a presentation at the renowned Spanish photography festival, and the AJ Page Award (People’s Choice).
The OD Photo Prize was founded by Open Doors Gallery in 2021.
What Finalists Receive
Grand Prize
• £2,000 cash prize supported by Open Doors Gallery.
• An exclusive interview published on the 1000 Words Magazine website.
• Long-term mentorship through Open Doors Gallery, including portfolio guidance, collector introductions, and professional advice.
• Listing as an OD Artist on the gallery website and an Artsy profile for at least one year.
• Exhibition in London as part of the OD Photo Prize group exhibition.
Two Runners-Up
• Long-term mentorship through Open Doors Gallery.
• Opportunity to be featured on the OD Artist page and Artsy platform for at least one year.
• Exhibition in London as part of the OD Photo Prize group exhibition.
Judges’ Picks
• Each juror selects one artist from the longlist for special recognition and possible inclusion in the exhibition.
InCadaqués Award
• One artist from the longlist will be selected by the founders of InCadaqués Festival for a presentation at the next edition of the festival in Spain.
• The presentation may take the form of an exhibition, projection, or installation depending on the project.
AJ Page Award (People’s Choice)
• Ten selected images will be shared on the @odtakeovers Instagram feed and voted on by the public.
• At least one winning image will be included in the group exhibition and online show.
Additional Benefits for Shortlisted Artists
• Inclusion in a limited-edition exhibition catalogue.
• Production and exhibition of work in a group show hosted by Open Doors Gallery in London (November–December 2026, dates to be confirmed).
• Online and in-person exposure to collectors, curators, industry professionals, and media outlets.
• Inclusion in the gallery announcement and dedicated newsletter.
• Projects reviewed by a panel of leading photography industry experts.
• Exposure through Open Doors Gallery’s social media audience of more than 100,000 followers.
• Membership in an ongoing artist support and community network.
• Full copyright retained by the artist at all times.
Portfolio Reviews
A limited number of one-to-one portfolio reviews will be offered to longlisted artists. Each review includes two sessions: one with an artist represented by Open Doors Gallery whose practice aligns with the participant’s work, and another with gallery director Tom Page. Reviews are heavily discounted for shortlisted artists and offered free of charge to the winner and the two runners-up.
