Deadline: 31-Oct-2025
The Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson has launched the Self-Published PhotoBook Award, which is annually awarded to a self-published photography book released during that calendar year.
With this award, the Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson supports artists who produce and distribute books independently, outside traditional publishing networks and furthers its mission to champion contemporary photographic creation.
To be eligible, a book must have been published between October 2024 and October 2025, have at least 10 copies printed, and be available for sale online or in bookstores. Book mock-ups or prototypes are not accepted. Multiple books can be submitted by the same individual or collective, but a separate online application form must be completed for each one. The winner, selected by a jury of five photography and publishing professionals, will receive a prize of €8,000.
Submissions for the award require two mandatory steps: completing an online form and sending a physical copy of the book by post. The online form must be submitted on the Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson website and include a written presentation of the project, technical details of the book, and a short biography. All application components must be in French or English; any documents in another language must have a translation. The postal submission must include a copy of the book and a note with the book title and the applicant’s contact information.
The physical copy of the book must be postmarked no later than October 31, 2025. Incomplete submissions will not be considered, and applicants will not be notified of missing elements. Any unpaid customs fees upon receipt of the package will result in disqualification. Each submitted copy becomes the property of the Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson and will not be returned.
The winning book and those of the shortlisted candidates will be featured during a weekend event celebrating the art of self-published photobooks. The winner will also be invited to participate in a “Feuilletage,” a public program where a photographer discusses the creation of one of their books.
For more information, visit Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson.
