Enter competitions open to amateur photographers

Here’s a selection of leading external competitions, but there are loads more. Some are free; paying ones are about £5-£30. It’s a great way to to share what you’re most proud of – and there are often substantial prizes of cash and/or equipment.

Always check competition dates, costs and rules very carefully – don’t rely on this page! (Months are approximate – a 1 May deadline this year could be 30 April next year)

Members of RCPS have been shortlisted in competitions like these. So don’t hesitate to enter – even international or prestigious competitions. Why wouldn’t it be you?

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Submission datesCompetitionCost?Details
Throughout the year (see dates for the categories at the end of this page)Amateur Photographer of the Year (APOY)£8 per image, or enter for free using entry codes printed in the AP magazineMultiple dedicated categories throughout the year
Throughout the year#withGalaxy Photography ContestsFreeVarious competitions for Samsung Galaxy users
JanuaryLCE Photographer of the YearFreeOpen, with 14 categories
January – MarchiPhone Photography Awards Not freeiPhone/iPad photography, with 12 categories
January – MayMonoVisionsNot freeBlack & white, 12 categories
January – DecemberWorld Mobile Photography Awards (WMPA)Free for one image, paid thereafterMobiles & tablets
February – MayLandscape Photographer of the YearNot freeLandscapes
February – JuneWorld Nature Photography AwardsNot freeNature
FebruaryYPU Exhibition (via RCPS)FreeOpen, with 11 categories
March – AprilTaylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize (with National Portrait Gallery)The webpage changes from year to year, so just Google the competition Portraits
March – JuneNikon Comedy Wildlife AwardsFreeHumorous wildlife photography
March – JuneBritish Wildlife Photography Awards competitionNot freeWildlife
March – JuneLensCulture Street Photography AwardsFree for one image, paid thereafterStreet
March – JuneNature TTL Photographer of the YearNot freeNature (wildlife, landscapes, skies, underwater, etc)
March – JuneBritish Wildlife Photography AwardsNot freeWildlife
March – SeptemberInternational Photography Awards (IPA)Not freeOpen, with 11 categories
April – MayInternational Pet Photography AwardsNot freePets, with 12 categories
April – JulyPortrait of Britain AwardsNot freePortraits of people living in the UK
April – JulyLensCulture Portrait AwardsFree for one image, paid thereafterPortrait
April? – JulyEpson International Pano Awards Not freePanoramas
April – NovemberMonochrome Photography AwardsNot freeBlack & white, with multiple categories
May – JuneMinimalist Photography AwardsNot freeMinimalist, with 12 categories
May – JulyClose-Up Photographer of the YearNot freeClose-up, macro, micro
May – MayCeWe Photo AwardFreeOpen, with 10 categories
May – AugustLensCulture Black & White Photography AwardsFree for one image, paid thereafterBlack & white
May – OctoberTravel Photographer of the Year Not freeTravel
June – JanuarySony World Photography Awards (don’t have to use Sony)FreeGeneral; enter a series or singles in multiple categories
June – SeptemberLensCulture Critics’ Choice AwardsFree for one image, paid thereafterOpen
June – AugustRMetS Weather Photographer of the YearFreeWeather
June – OctoberChromatic Photography AwardsNot freeOpen colour
July – AugustBritish Photography AwardsNot freeOpen, with 20 categories
July – SeptemberExposure One AwardsNot freeBlack & white, with 20 categories
September – DecemberLensCulture Art Photography AwardsFree for one image, paid thereafterUltra-creative
October – DecemberWildlife Photographer of the Year (Natural History Museum)Not freeWildlife
October – DecemberMobile Photography Awards (MPA)Not freeMobiles and tablets
November – FebruaryInternational Garden Photographer of the YearNot freeGardens, plants, flowers and botanicals
December – MayBird Photographer of the YearNot freeBirds
December – JuneRoyal Photographic Society International Photography Exhibition 168 (don’t need to be a member)Free for one image, paid thereafterOpen (multiple categories)
Various throughout the yearSony Alpha Universe AwardsFreeCompetitions and challenges for Sony Alpha camera users.