Lucie Foundation Photobook Prize 2026

The Lucie Foundation is dedicated to celebrating all forms of photography. This program is a juried competition open to a diversity of book submissions—from traditionally published to hand-made books and zines. The awards are presented to photographers and publishers.

The Lucie Foundation is proud to offer three cash prizes.

Book of the Year – $3,000 cash prize
The Book of the Year Prize will be awarded to the publisher; this category represents the best overall book of the year.

First Book – $2,000 cash prize
The First Book Prize will be awarded to a photographer; entries for this category must be the first iteration of a photographer’s work in the book medium.

Self-published – $2,000 cash prize
The Self-Published Prize will be awarded to the photographer. This category is solely for self-published and handmade books.

ELIGIBILITY: The awards will be presented to photographers and publishers who have created such projects anywhere in the world between September 2024 and September 2026.

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT: 20% discount until March 26th, 2026; 10% discount until April 9th, 2026; Discount applied at checkout.

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT EXTENDED: September 15, 2026. Cut off time – 12 midnight ET (USA).

APPLICATION PROCESS: Complete Submission Form and upload PDF File of Book. Click the button below.

Winners will be announced: Fall 2026.

- Due to the volume of submissions, the Lucie Foundation accepts online submissions only. Please do not ship books to the foundation. Thank you.

SUBMISSION FEES:

Publisher – $75 for the first submission, 20% discount for each additional category of the same book submission.
The Book of the Year Prize will be awarded to the publisher; this category represents the best overall book of the year.

Photographer – $50 for the first submission, 20% discount for each additional category of the same book submission.
The First Book Prize will be awarded to a photographer; entries for this category must be the first iteration of a photographer’s work in the book medium.

The Self-Published Prize will be awarded to the photographer. This category is solely for self-published and handmade books.