The world of photography is filled with opportunities to get paid for your work. Whether you want to be published in a magazine or win a prestigious award, there are many different opportunities that can help your career take off. And even if you don't win any awards, just having your work seen by others can be immensely rewarding. To help you find the right opportunity for yourself and your work, here's a list of open calls we found on artconnect.com.

Photography Opportunities

Smithsonian Magazine | 23rd Annual Photo Contest

Smithsonian Magazine’s annual photo contest is accepting submissions in the following categories: Wildlife, Travel, People, The American Experience at 250, Artistic Images and Drone/Aerial. Prizes are open to photographers who are 18 years old or older.

Rewards:
Grand Prize of $2,500. The winners of each of the six categories will receive $500. The winner of the online Readers’ Choice award will receive $500. The Smithsonian may select photos for highlight on its website or display in a publicly accessible contest archive.

Deadline:
December 1, 2025

Apply Now

Onewater | Walk of Water Photostory Contest

Photographers of all levels and nationalities are invited to explore the rich tapestry of human experiences with water. From cultural and spiritual traditions to everyday moments, your photos can reveal how water connects us all and influences who we are. More than €10 000 in prizes are up for grabs.

Rewards:
Prizes range between €50 and €5,000. Each includes a feature on Onewater's website.

Deadline:
December 7, 2025

Apply Now

World Photography Association | Open Photographer of the Year 2026

Established in 2007, this is one of the world’s biggest and most prestigious photography admission-free competitions; celebrating the work of leading and emerging practitioners and attracting tens of thousands of visitors annually to its exhibitions worldwide.

Rewards:
Cash prize of $5,000, top Sony Digital Imaging equipment, inclusion in the London exhibition & book

Deadline:
January 6, 2026

Apply Now

World Photography Association | Professional Competition 2026

This competition is also free to enter. There are awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place photographers plus up to 7 shortlisted photographers per category.

Rewards:
Cash prize of $25,000, a solo show, a range of Sony Digital Imaging equipment & a professional career-development day.

Deadline:
January 13, 2026

Apply Now

Worthless Studios | Photographer in Residence

The WORTHLESSTUDIOS Photographer In Residence (PIR) program is a unique 1-month-long photography residency taking place inside an Airstream trailer converted into a Darkroom. PIR gives analog photographers and photography-based artists exclusive access to the Airstream darkroom to process film and make new work.

Rewards:
Exclusive access to Airstream darkroom for 4 weeks, $1,500 artist stipend, darkroom materials, the option to host a public program & 2 free workshops on scanning and digital printing by Brooklyn PrintWorks.

Deadline:
January 20, 2026

Apply Now

Eurostars Hotels | Madrid Tower Photography Award 2025

The Eurostars Grand Madrid Tower Photography Award now invites photographers to interpret the saying “From Madrid to heaven,” showing in images everything that makes the capital unique. To enter, participants must be 18 or older, of any nationality.

Rewards:
The First Prize will receive €2,500. The runner-up will receive the Hotusa Group Prize, valued at €1,000 and 8 free stays at the Eurostars Hotel Company hotel of their choice.

Deadline:
January 23, 2026

Apply Now

International Women's Media Foundation | Aja Niedringhaus Courage in Photojournalism Award

The Anja Niedringhaus Courage in Photojournalism Award was created to honour the life and work of Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Anja Niedringhaus (1965-2014). With this Award, the IWMF celebrates the courageous work of women photojournalists like Anja who inspire us to take action and better understand the world. This courageous work manifests in many different forms which may include but is not limited to conflict or frontline reporting.

Rewards:
Cash prize of $20,000 & work showcased during an award ceremony.

Deadline:
March 31, 2026

Apply Now

Street Photography Barcelona Contest | 2026 Open Call

The Street Photography Barcelona Contest was created with the aim of giving international visibility to professional and amateur photographers who work in street photography. The festival offers a physical exhibition in Barcelona and screenings in Ibiza.

Rewards:
Winners in each category will be awarded €250 and the overall winner will receive a cash prize of €500. Selected artists’ works will be published on their website and be part of a six-day exhibition in Barcelona. The organization will fully cover the costs of printing, framing, and installation.

Deadline:
April 15, 2026

Apply Now

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