Deadline: 01-Jan-2026
The Pride Photo Award 2026 invites photographers worldwide to submit powerful visual stories reflecting the diversity of LGBTQIA+ lives and experiences. Winners receive €500, global visibility, and exhibition opportunities in Amsterdam and internationally, with submissions closing on 1 January 2026.
Overview
The Pride Photo Award is an international photography competition celebrating visual storytelling that represents the richness, diversity, and complexity of LGBTQIA+ lives around the world. The award seeks to expand public understanding through inclusive, bold, and multi-faceted photographic narratives that reflect both personal and collective experiences of the global LGBTQIA+ community.
What the Pride Photo Award Offers
Selected photographers whose work is included in the Pride Photo Exhibition 2026 receive a €500 award and extensive international visibility. Awarded photographs are prominently displayed during the exhibition with full credit, including the photographer’s name, title, description, and award designation. The exhibition attracts thousands of visitors, including visual arts professionals, curators, and photography enthusiasts.
Exhibition and Global Visibility
The Pride Photo Contest culminates in a major public exhibition that opens in the centre of Amsterdam and subsequently travels throughout the Netherlands and internationally. Exhibition venues include galleries, museums, public spaces, and embassies. Selected works are also featured repeatedly on the Pride Photo website and social media platforms, with photographers credited and tagged where possible.
Artistic Scope and Accepted Formats
The contest welcomes all forms of photography and image-based storytelling. Submissions may include documentary photography covering news events or everyday realities, as well as artistic approaches such as portraiture, collage, staged photography, photographic interventions, and AI-assisted visual practices. The focus is on storytelling, authenticity, and creative expression rather than technique alone.
Categories
Applicants may submit their work in two categories: Singles, for standalone images, and Series, for coherent bodies of work that tell a broader visual story. One overall winner is selected in each category by an independent international jury.
Who Is Eligible?
The Pride Photo Award is open to photographers of all ages, nationalities, backgrounds, and experience levels. Both professional and amateur photographers are encouraged to apply. There is no entry fee, making the contest fully accessible to a wide range of visual storytellers.
Selection Criteria
An independent jury panel of international Arts and Culture professionals evaluates submissions based on narrative strength, originality, visual impact, artistic integrity, and the ability to meaningfully represent LGBTQIA+ experiences. Selected works should demonstrate sensitivity, depth, and relevance to contemporary LGBTQIA+ lives.
Why This Award Matters
The Pride Photo Award plays a vital role in amplifying LGBTQIA+ voices and visual histories. By creating a global platform for inclusive storytelling, the award challenges stereotypes, promotes visibility, and fosters dialogue across cultures and communities.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit their photographs through the official Pride Photo submission platform before the stated deadline. Entries should clearly indicate the chosen category, include required descriptions, and align with the contest’s mission of representing LGBTQIA+ lives with respect and creativity.
Key Dates
Submission deadline: 1 January 2026. Winner announcement: June 2026. Exhibition launch: June 2026 in Amsterdam, followed by national and international touring.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Submissions may be weakened by unclear storytelling, lack of contextual information, or images that do not meaningfully engage with LGBTQIA+ lived experiences. Low-quality files or incomplete metadata can also reduce selection chances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an entry fee?
No. The Pride Photo Award is free to enter.
Can amateur photographers apply?
Yes. Both amateur and professional photographers are welcome.
What formats are accepted?
All photography and image-based storytelling formats, including AI-assisted work, are accepted.
How many winners are selected?
One overall winner is chosen in each category: Singles and Series.
Where will the exhibition take place?
The exhibition opens in Amsterdam and tours nationally and internationally.
What do winners receive?
Winners receive €500, exhibition inclusion, and extensive international visibility.
Conclusion
The Pride Photo Award 2026 offers photographers a powerful global platform to share authentic LGBTQIA+ stories through compelling visual narratives. By combining financial recognition, international exhibitions, and sustained visibility, the award strengthens representation and celebrates the creative voices shaping LGBTQIA+ visual culture worldwide.
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