Deadline: 31-May-2026
The fifteenth season of a global photography competition invites photographers aged 18 and above to submit original works across five categories, including Family, Sports, AI-based creative photography, and storytelling portfolios. The competition offers a total prize pool of USD 1 million, with a grand prize of USD 200,000 and multiple category awards recognizing artistic excellence and visual storytelling.
Overview of the Competition
This global photography competition is an international platform that celebrates creative expression through photography. It encourages photographers worldwide to submit compelling visual narratives across diverse artistic and thematic categories.
The competition emphasizes storytelling, innovation, human connection, and technical excellence in photography.
Competition Categories
The competition is divided into five distinct categories, each focusing on a different form of visual expression.
Family
Focuses on human connection, relationships, and emotional storytelling within families and communities.
Dreams Through AI
Encourages creative use of AI-enhanced photography and generative visual storytelling.
Sports Photography
Showcases dynamic action, athletic performance, and sporting moments.
Portfolio (Story-Telling)
Focuses on a series of 5 to 10 photographs that collectively tell a unified story.
General (Black & White and Colour)
Open category for artistic expression in monochrome or colour photography.
Prize Structure
The competition offers one of the largest global photography prize pools.
Key awards include:
Grand Prize
- USD 200,000 (awarded to the best overall entry across all categories)
Category Prizes (Family, AI, Sports, General)
- First place: USD 40,000
- Second place: USD 30,000
- Third place: USD 20,000
Portfolio (Story-Telling) Category
- First place: USD 50,000
- Second place: USD 40,000
- Third place: USD 30,000
Special Awards
- Photographer of the Year Award: USD 80,000
- Photography Content Creator Award: USD 50,000
- Photography Appreciation Award: USD 100,000
Total prize pool: USD 1,000,000
Eligibility Criteria
The competition is open to global participants under specific conditions.
Eligibility requirements include:
- Must be 18 years or older
- Open to photographers worldwide
- Individual submissions only
- One photograph per category allowed (except Portfolio category)
- Portfolio category requires 5 to 10 related images
Submission Requirements
Participants must follow strict technical and formatting rules.
Image requirements:
- Format: JPEG or JPG
- Minimum file size: 5 MB
- Minimum resolution: 300 DPI
- Minimum longest edge: 2000 pixels
- Mobile photography allowed if standards are met
Content requirements:
- Images must be original
- No signatures, logos, borders, or watermarks
- Basic editing allowed (exposure, color correction, cropping)
- No advanced manipulation or compositing (except AI category)
- No deceptive or misleading edits
AI Usage Rules
The competition has strict guidelines on artificial intelligence use.
Rules include:
- AI-generated content allowed only in “Dreams Through AI” category
- AI usage prohibited in all other categories
- Non-AI category submissions require declaration confirming no AI tools were used
- Integrity of photographic authenticity is a key requirement
Key Themes and Artistic Focus
The competition highlights diverse visual storytelling themes.
Core themes include:
- Human relationships and family life
- Creative AI-driven visual storytelling
- Sports and movement photography
- Documentary-style portfolio storytelling
- Artistic expression in black-and-white and colour photography
- Authentic and original visual narratives
Importance of the Competition
This global contest plays a significant role in the photography and creative arts ecosystem by:
- Supporting emerging and professional photographers
- Promoting visual storytelling as an art form
- Encouraging innovation in photography and AI integration
- Recognizing excellence in global visual culture
- Providing major financial awards for creative work
- Expanding opportunities for international artistic exposure
Conclusion
The fifteenth season of this global photography competition offers a major international platform for photographers to showcase creativity, storytelling, and technical excellence. With a USD 1 million prize pool and diverse categories, it celebrates both traditional and AI-enhanced photography while maintaining strong standards of originality and artistic integrity.
For more information, visit HIPA.